Verzuz


Verzuz also known as ' is an independent visual webcast series presented, created and launched by Grammy Award winning recording producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. The first live cast premiered on Instagram Live late March 2020. The two were also the first challengers, who then began to curate the future line up/matches. The VERZUZ series brand gained its official trademark in April 2020, brought by Timbaland. The planned history of creating a live battle was conceived from the idea of Timbaland and Swizz back in 2017, which led to a 'producer clash' battle during the Hot 97 Summer Jam concert in 2018. The live show consist of 2 challengers in the entertainment industry who compete their best hit record whether being their created musical production, songwriting or vocal production, while also celebrating each other's achievements. A winner is totally according to a viewers bias opinion, There are no actual winners chosen. In an ABC News interview, Swizz Beatz stated "The people won, the culture won, music won" as reference to the music sales and online streams gradually increasing due to both newfound interest and curiosity as well as recognition of the participating artist rising once again, creating "The Verzuz Effect". Even though no winners are selected because it is seen as a celebration between the artists, Billboard magazine has began releasing their scorecard and breakdowns of the battles and selected their winner based on their observations, tallying scores for each round and ending with the 'people's choice' but an overall winner is crowned based on the scoring system.
The webcast platform served as an anticipated online streaming show during the COVID-19 pandemic, in ways to keep viewers at home entertained during the crisis. The official 'audio-track only' recap of Verzuz'' can also be played on TIDAL music streaming services as well as Spotify.

Format

The live streaming process
The music artists who competes, often use their own cell phone/tablet device or web camera to live-stream on Instagram live through their verified artist page. As with any normal format of Instagram live, one must add or request each other to communicate virtually face to face with each other from wherever they are. The first time this format has changed was in the challenge between Bounty Killer vs Beenie Man, where they both appeared together under the VerzuzTV Instagram channel's live feed instead of their own channels. During the battle, the artist then play each song track through audio sound systems via computer or recording studio equipment. This format has changed also with the battle of Bounty Killer & Beenie Man who fully performed live with microphones along with DJ's/Sound Equipment, which in turn also provided good acoustics and feedback without interruptions. There was a first attempt by record producer Teddy Riley to perform live against Babyface, but because of technical difficulties it was unsuccessful.The songs selected by the artist begin with sharing trivial personal stories of the creation of the song and the experience surrounding it before playing or performing the track. Oftentimes, the artist on both sides would hype up their comedic or blunt words of exchange to show their competitive spirit along with having the authority to 'bragging rights'.
The competitive live streaming show is usually 2 hours long with the exception of continuing on their own after its over to allow fans and followers to engage with them. The artist pre-select 20 songs from their catalog to compete with. Some technicalities forces a video stream to get booted off due to weak wifi connection,or a licensed copyrighted song could only be played to a minimum of 90 seconds before being cut off stream, or the live stream allotted time to be only 1 hour long, and the artist must restart another live session to continue where they left off. However, during the battle of Jill Scott & Erykah Badu, the live feed stayed continuous for more than 2 hours without booting out with the exception of Badu's live being cut short from wifi-technicalities.
Viewers who are observing the challenges watch from their electronic device, phone, tablet or computer with their Instagram accounts. It is simultaneously enjoyed as a watch party or listening party with other individuals, whether at home together or as a virtual population over the live stream. Viewers interact by commenting their opinions, judgement, reactions, emotions, and may use special character emojis as a form of expression. Some individuals may try to keep score but ultimately get lost in the rounds. Following the webcast, a replay of the challenge or brief video upload recap of the batttle may be seen on the VERZUZ YouTube channel, along with other un-official re-uploads. Some clips are also shared on other social media platforms, also the official 'audio-music only' recap playlist of the songs used in the battle can be streamed on the VERZUZ TIDAL channel. Apple TV began streaming the presentation live in HD on June 19,2020.
Technical support troubleshooting
Due to the overwhelming response of complaints of technical issues, Swizz and Timberland implemented a new rule on May 25, 2020, that the future participants are required to use equipment kit provided by the brand Roland, who created a new set up to supply the best audio as possible to prevent issues from continuing. Stating, "You cannot do VERZUZ unless you use the technology that we're sending you, because we're sending it to you for a reason."

Challenges

Each battle are often paired up by the genre of categories. Where a Music producer will go up against another Music Producer, Songwriter against Songwriter, Vocal Production. Each artist have up to 20 tracks prepared to use in the battle.The guidelines for competing are to have produced, written or sang on the track used. As for many rap artists, they can use their collaborations or 'feature' segments from other artist tracks. Producers who 'remixed' a track have been called in question, especially if they are not the originator of the song produced, as a pun joke from Babyface, but is still acceptable as it is a form of their own works. The winners are solely to the discretion of the viewers preference, there are no direct chosen winners, however accolades surrounding an artist accomplishments may make one person outshine the next. The real winners are the views counted by how many tuned in to watch as it shows the popularity and support given. During the battle, they are allowed to gloat, flaunt, tease as it is friendly competition. Spectators, whether celebrities or general viewing public, keep score on who they believe won each round sometimes losing count. The challenger usually feeds off the last contender's song choice or word play 'puns' to complement the flow. The curators who preside over the live feed remotely monitor the competition. Series 2 will take place with the new guideline in effect.

''Verzuz'' Series 1

† Other Media have also contributed scorecards for their selected winner:
Vibe Magazine Winner: Beenie Man '
Revolt TV News Winner: 112 '
♣♠ *A New York magazine catered to pop culture, Vulture gave a full list of winner results of all the battles from VERZUZ, including an exclusive "Quarantine Radio" verzuz battle featuring French Montana vs Tory Lanez. Winner: French Montana
±"Quarantine Radio", was an independent daily Instagram Live webcast / radio show created and hosted by Tory Lanez that went viral in March 2020, and was placed on temporary suspension in April 2020 due to Instagram's code of conduct and content violations. The show has not streamed any new live broadcasts since the ban lifted, but operates under another Instagram account.

''Verzuz'' Series 2

Verzuz went under new rule changes and technical maintenance to provide quality performances and returned on May 31, 2020 with a special Verzuz.
As nationwide quarantine started to loosen restrictions phases of social gatherings, each lineup in this 2nd series has stayed consistent with having challengers meet face to face sharing one room often with DJs or piano accompaniment while continuing to social distance. This also resulted in better video and sound quality.
*Upcoming line-ups that have been recently revealed and discussed in a full facetime conversation with Timbaland & Swizz Beatz: Ashanti vs. Keyshia Cole and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony vs Three 6 Mafia, which is in the works. Other considered options are Monica vs Brandy. The two producers are also considering Destiny's Child vs TLC, Keith Sweat vs Bobby Brown to name a few. The series would most likely explore other cultures of music, touching on Gospel, Latin, Africa & Soca sound clash, but it may only take place if artists follows the new guideline of rules and regulations. and if the artists energy are in tact and agree to participate.
#Line Up / MatchCategoryDateInstagram Live Viewers After Live VeiwersDurationBillboard Scorecard Winner
14
♥♥		Kirk Frankiln vs Fred Hammond
with opening words and prayer by Bishop T.D. Jakes		"THE HEALING" – Special Edition
Gospel music Production / Songwriting & Vocals		May 31, 2020276,000 apex peakTBD2 Hours
20 Minutes		NO JUDGMENTS
15Alicia Keys vs John Legend"JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION" - Special Edition
Music Production /
Songwriting & Vocals		June 19, 2020154,000 apex peakTBD2 Hours
30 Minutes		NO JUDGMENTS
16† Fabolous vs JadaKissHip Hop Music Production, Songwriting/Lyrics & VocalsJune 29, 2020387,000 apex peakTBD1 Hour
20 Minutes		JADAKISS
17DMX vs Snoop DoggHip Hop Music Production, Songwriting/Lyrics & VocalsJuly 22, 2020522,000 apex peakTBD2 HoursDMX
18Rick Ross vs 2 ChainzHip Hop Music Production, Songwriting/Lyrics & VocalsAugust 6,
2020		TBDTBDTBDTBD

♥♥ *A Special VERZUZ webcast titled "The Healing" was streamed live on May 31, 2020, in honor of lifting awareness and providing comfort from the racial climate of ongoing police brutality in the United States. The event began with opening word and prayer by Bishop T.D. Jakes. Kirk Franklin & Fred Hammond celebrated various music from their catalog. During the webcast, special appearances were made by notable stars in the gospel genre: Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp, appeared to interlude his landmark song "Never Would Have Made It" and Grammy Award winner, Tamela Mann appeared to fully sing live, "Take Me To The King". Even though this special verzuz was a celebration with no intentions to battle and was used as a platform service to uplift and heal the world, Revolt TV declared Kirk Franklin as champion scoring at 17-4.
† Other Media have also contributed scorecards for their selected winner:
Revolt TV News Winner: Jadakiss

Critical response

magazine gave a scorecard sheet ranking the battles from least to favorable, placing the Jill Scott vs Erykah Badu battle at the number 1 spot.
The series popularity quickly drew in many viewers as a way to cope while on quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a vehicle for viewers to laugh, sing-a-long, dance, go back in time feeling nostalgic, watch other entertainers communicate and interact with one another through comments and replies while watching and also with each other on-screen during battle, and also it united everyone together during the crisis.
The battles are rooted to pit each artist up against each other, but is done tastefully, ending in praises and celebration. One battle noted of this, was the Erykah Badu vs.Jill Scott match-up, where both were classy and honored each other by complimenting their successes. It was a way to empower women.
Many notable people have tuned into VERZUZ TV, among those were former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, Oprah, Patti LaBelle, Ziggy Marley, Steve Harvey, Bobby Brown, Jamie Foxx to name a few. Major media outlets such as ABC News and CNN have also covered stories over the social media phenomenon.
Notable moments from the battles include:
The popularity of the series drew interest in actor and comedian Kevin Hart to inspire a spin-off for comedians. Comedian Affion Cockett mentioned that Swizz Beatz also had the thought of making moves in that direction to which Timbaland responded "It's Zone, Zone Time...VERZUZ COMEDY....let's go!" There is no word as of yet, if this may be in development.

Awards

VERZUZ has won the Webby Award in the category of Special Achievement – 'Break the Internet' Award in May 2020, breaking the Instagram record for live streaming with over 750K viewers. Verzuz creators Timbaland & Swizz Beatz were the Honoree recipients of the "Shine A Light Award" shared with DJ D-Nice at the 2020 BET Awards.