The recent battle royale between the two heavyweight hip-hop musicians was dedicated to their rapper friend who passed away in April following hospitalization.
- June 1, 2021
AceShowbiz - "Verzuz" co-founders Timbaland and Swizz Beatz dedicated their Sunday night (30May21) rematch on the platform to late rapper DMX.
The two super-producers went head to head at Miami, Florida's Club LIV, for an online battle that drew a few hip-hop heavyweights.
DaBaby, Nas, Rick Ross, Fabolous, and Busta Rhymes tuned in to watch the fun while Missy Elliott applauded the pair for creating "Verzuz".
"First I want to say congratulations to you (Timbaland) and Swizz. And, thank y'all for creating Verzuz for us to relive some of the best moments in music," she wrote, making it clear she was rooting for Timbaland.
The duo's battle royale included songs that featured collaborations with Aaliyah, DMX, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, and Nicki Minaj, among others, with the pair picking 20 songs each.
Swizz recently completed work on DMX's posthumous album, "Exodus", explaining he felt he owed it to him and his family.
The producer was tasked with completing the record following DMX's death on 9 April (21), and told Rolling Stone that the process was an emotional one.
"I can at least listen to a song now without breaking down," he sighed. "I'm making it look strong, but I'm crushed, I'm destroyed, I'm hurt. But I had to pull this through for him and his family and for his legacy."
Laying down tracks for the record was an experience that Beatz would never forget as he remembered his late friend as being "happy" and "full of energy."
