VERZUZ: The Battle Dream Matches We Can’t Wait To See Live
Tonight, October 17, New York City will once again be the epicenter of cool, as two of hip hop’s most eminent MCs, Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One, go mano y mano for Verzuz at the Barclays Center. It’s Brooklyn’s "Smooth Operator" battling the Bronx’s “The Bridge Is Over" in a matchup that is going to force hip-hop heads to take sides more than they already do.
After Fat Joe and Ja Rule and The Lox and Dipset put on epic performances, the stage has been set for another impressive clash between two rap titans.
RELATED: Ja Rule & Fat Joe Headed To ‘Verzuz’
Verzuz itself has become a cultural institution. The Swizz Beatz and Timbaland-produced competition has pitted some of the best stars in hip-hop against each other in friendly competition. And with vaccine cards in hand and PPE money to burn through, the multi-platform content powerhouse has another way to preserve the culture.
As it stands, Verzuz battles aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And with viewers anticipating more matchups like Jill Scott vs. Erykah Badu, Bounty Killa vs. Beenie Man, Patti LaBelle vs. Gladys Knight, and more — we predict six other legendary headliners who have the star power to create viral Verzuz moments to come.
Katt Williams vs. Kevin Hart
Fat Joe and Ja Rule proved in their battle that New York was stepping into its hip hop footprint with both Timbs. With Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One scheduled to rock the Barclay Center, what better way to up the ante than to schedule a bout between two comedy titans. Katt Williams and Kevin Hart are certified box office behemoths who, when faced with the premise of spitting their 20 best jokes in front of a live audience, can captivate millions around the world and turn Verzuz into a tour de force to set off the fourth quarter.
Lil Kim vs. Megan Thee Stallion
Verzuz has always been a music fan’s dream come true. In possibly seeing two hip hop icons live and in living color, a match-up between Queen Bee Lil Kim and Hot Girl Megan Thee Stallion is one not to miss. The bravado, the freestyles (see: Lil Kim’s 1997 Funkmaster Flex freestyle), and the big performances on any stage of their choosing would give us a chance to witness a baton passing moment between hip-hop’s two most fiercest MCs.
Missy Elliott vs. Pharrell Williams
The tagline for this Verzuz already writes itself, as this “celebration of Virginia’s finest,” would easily command the world’s attention. Tickets would already fly off the handle for this fan-favorite marquee of Missy Elliott and Pharrell Williams. While this one could quickly descend into “& Friends'' territory, no one would pass up a chance to hear rare grooves, never-before-told stories, and creatively dynamic performances from these two masters of melody.
Mo’Nique vs. Sommore
After doing box office numbers with Williams vs. Hart, the stage would be perfectly set for the ladies to do their thang. Mo’Nique and Sommore are two Queens of Comedy, who have kept millions of fans captivated and cajoling thanks to their humor. In a time where we need to find the facts and the funny within our daily lives, seeing the Oscar-winning performer and the “Diva of Contemporary Comedy” dish on sex, money, Black love, and more would be right on time with all that’s going on in the world.
Wizkid vs. Burna Boy
A heavyweight match of global proportions, chart-toppers WizKid and Burna Boy would be excellent teachers for a masterclass on why Afrobeat/Afropop is here to stay (and can only get better). Wizkid’s “Made in Lagos” hit #1 on the Billboard World Albums chart, the longest for a Nigerian album and Grammy-winning talent Burna Boy would have more than just the diaspora in a panic for tickets. You can surely count on everyone who heard the Biebs on Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence” remix to cop seats to catch all the vibes.
No Limit vs. So So Def
Everyone has gone to a Bad Boy vs. Def Jam party in their day. People are still pining for a Dreamville vs. Top Dawg Entertainment brouhaha in some form. But a spot between Southern super labels, No Limit Records and So So Def, would cement why the South had (and still has) something to say, and impact the next generation of creatives and executives. Master P and Jermaine Dupri have appeared — in one way or another — on Verzuz in the past, and seeing that ‘90s feeling return to a live setting is much-needed with everything that’s going on.
Kevin L. Clark is an editor and screenwriter who covers the intersection of music, pop culture and social justice. Follow him @KevitoClark.
