It’s almost been a year since the very first Verzuz between Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Since then, we’ve gotten some iconic matchups between some of music’s biggest names— Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, Snoop Dogg vs. DMX, Brandy vs. Monica, Gladys Knight vs. Patti Labelle and most recently, D’Angelo and Friends, just to name a few.
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Back in July, Swizz and Timbo partnered with Apple Music to expand the reach of the Verzuz battles beyond Instagram. Now, it’s been announced that Verzuz has been acquired by the Triller Network. However, fans have nothing to worry about. Battles will still be available to stream on Instagram or via Triller and will remain free. The real payoff is for the artists who’ve participated in a Verzuz. All 43 participants will receive equity in the Triller-Verzuz partnership while Swizz and Timbaland will “oversee music strategy” for Triller. In a joint statement, the rappers stated, “This is a momentous occasion not only for Verzuz and Triller but the music business as a whole [...] by expanding the Verzuz brand to be side by side with the powerful Triller app, we will be able to continue to grow and evolve the music business as a whole, as we have been doing.”
Triller’s main shareholders, Bobby Sarnevesht and Ryan Kavanaugh, expressed their thoughts on the merger. “Verzuz isn’t just a company, a platform or an event, it is a cultural movement and phenomenon. In our generation, Verzuz has made a bigger impact on music than any other company we know. With this acquisition, Triller continues its evolution to be at the center of culture and the center of music. Who better to help shape Triller’s music future than the top artists in the world overseen by Timbaland and Swizz?”
When Swizz and Timbaland were asked about moving Verzuz from Apple Music to Triller, the answer was simple-- they wanted “a partner that we can grow with [as well as one who] would have to totally be about the creatives.” They were approached by several companies seeking to acquire the widely-popular franchise, but Triller was the only one who accepted all of the rappers’ terms and conditions, following in their freshly minted mantra: “by the artist, for the artist, with the people.” Aside from more battles, fan can look forward to expansions into sports, comedy and live events— when it's safe, of course.
WATCH MORE: Is Usher Ready for 'Verzuz'?
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