![VERZUZ: Fat Joe Vs Ja Rule](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/02/16449421556231.jpg?w=1024&strip=all&%23038;quality=85)
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
VERZUZ began as a welcome reprieve from the daily doldrums the entire world suffered as a result of the ongoing pandemic, offering a blip of hope during the height of those tough times. Now a mainstream concept, VERZUZ is positioning itself as a viable performance platform and introduced a subscription model that Twitter balked at before Swizz Beatz walked it back.
Twitter user @CallMeDollar was among the many who took notice of VERZUZ pivoting to a pay model, introducing the concept ahead of tonight’s (Feb. 15) battle between Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild. The team introduced a #TrillerVerzPass and a 14-day trial run of said pass for the show, adding that it will not be running on its familiar platform of Instagram Live.
Almost immediately, fans began to react against the idea of shifting the typically free celebration of music and artists into a virtual concert series for cash. As many stated, VERZUZ was started as a gift to music lovers to get them through the times as everyone was at home quarantining. When VERZUZ sold its rights to the team at Triller, some felt that the move was akin to selling out while others saw the move as savvy.
In the wake of the heavy reactions via Twitter, Swizz Beatz went online to clear up the confusion and to state that tonight’s VERZUZ will be on Instagram Live and he blamed the oversight and mixup in communication due to being out of the country.
Whether that is the truth isn’t for us to uncover. For now, check out the reactions from Twitter to the back and forth news of VERZUZ.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Fuck outta here!!!! #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/bBNFAoRWo7
— BaldieLocks (@LeQueenAuntie) February 15, 2022
2.
So, THIS is the #Verzuz that they decided to start their bullshit, huh?
Musiq Soulchild and Anthony Hamilton are gonna be singing to themselves! Bless. pic.twitter.com/e8Y26WhZXF
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) February 15, 2022
3.
The beginning of the end for Verzuz is when they started putting Ciroc and Doritos everywhere. Trying to brand and sponsor everything. I’m not paying to watch Verzuz when I can just play one of these playlists I’ve made.
— Reid (@RVAReid) February 15, 2022
4.
Baby we’re almost 2 years into Verzuz…nobody is going to start paying to watch them now lmao
— Neiman Marcus Stan Account (@TheBrookeAsh) February 15, 2022
5.
Them niggas higher than Rue if they think I’ma pay to watch #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/NoLUmW5SVv
— Certified Loki Variant (@VandaYacht) February 15, 2022
6.
We’re fighting inflation and #Verzuz expects us to pay for a battle that’s been free for 2 years? During Black History Month?? Please hang it up. pic.twitter.com/dShrDrNsZC
— Shantae (@ShantaeB) February 15, 2022
7.
– pay for Verzuz? during Black History Month? pic.twitter.com/mOODQOKajO
— Rob Milton (@therobmilton) February 15, 2022
8.
The evolution of Verzuz is quite literally a crash course on how capitalism slowly sucks the soul out of everything https://t.co/42SaoRs0Xe
— Jiikae (@Jiikae) February 15, 2022
9.
LMAO I got 3 concerts lined up in the next 3 months. I’m vaccinated and boosted. YOU THINK I’M ABOUT TO PAY FOR A CIROC AND DORITOS #VERZUZ BATTLE IN MY LIVING ROOM? WITH TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES? 1 HOUR + LATE START TIME? AND 45 SECONDS OF A SONG?
DEFUND IT.
— theygotkary (@theygotkary) February 15, 2022
10.
They doing Anthony Hamilton and Musiq dirty they should of BEEN said they were going to charge #VERZUZ
pic.twitter.com/avaIBjbXSu—
(@Miss_Amazing89) February 15, 2022
11.
#VERZUZ passin around a collection plate now y’all. Be easy! pic.twitter.com/ZMF9zlXied
— JaBria are you smart? (@DejayJoanz) February 15, 2022
12.
They want us to pay for Verzuz?! For songs that’s already in my phone?! pic.twitter.com/OyMmXgaq8k
— Anthony Moore (@AllThatandMoore) February 15, 2022
13.
How #Verzuz look trying to pull a pay-per-view a day before the battle pic.twitter.com/2M2DMQVu8r
— Bilbo Swaggins (@FranciskoMayne) February 15, 2022
14.
Thank you Timbaland and Swizz for screwing up something organic and black owned with #Verzuz by selling out to first corporate sponsorship and then just selling out to Triller
NOBODY is paying to watch a VERZUZ battle. Nobody pic.twitter.com/aIfXb2dPUw
— P. Prefers Country Pleasin Over Conecuh
(@chillin662) February 15, 2022
15.
This how I’m pulling up to the Anthony Hamilton & Musiq Soulchild verzuz pic.twitter.com/XRsNNl2wdd
— Almighty Cho
(@DOGFOODDEGREE) February 10, 2022