Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have found themselves in yet another musical battle — but this time, they played the role of MC while some of the hottest artists of today rapped at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.
On Tuesday (October 10), the Verzuz co-founders went head-to-head in the long-running cypher segment of the annual awards show, which was reworked as a showdown between the two producers and their respective crews.
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Swizz Beatz’s team of spitters included Foggieraw, Symba, Scar Lip and Philly veteran Cassidy.
Timbaland, meanwhile, was repped by young female lyricists Lola Brooke, Lady London and Gloss Up, as well as Houston rap legend Bun B.
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Each cypher found the respective crews rapping over some of Swizz and Timbaland’s most iconic beats, including Busta Rhymes’ “Touch It,” The LOX’s “Fuck You” and JAY-Z and UGK’s “Big Pimpin.'”
Watch them both below:
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland also took home some hardware at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards, as they were honored with the Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award.
“I always dreamed I would be on the stage accepting the award about Hip Hop,” Timbo said while accepting the award. “Doing music back in Virginia, [I] never thought I would make it, but now I’m here!”
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“Me and my brother created something special, and it ain’t over,” he continued, hinting at the long-awaited return of Verzuz. “I’m glad to share this moment with my brother, Swizzy.”
During his turn on the mic, Swizz dedicated the award to “all the producers coming from nothing and making it into something,” as well as the late DMX and his Ruff Ryders family.
Timbo recently attended Swizz Beatz’s birthday party, where he and Pharrell engaged in a friendly yet spirited conversation about their respective catalogs with JAY-Z — although it didn’t go as one might expect.
“‘Dirt Off Your Shoulder’!” Skateboard P began, giving props to the 2003 Black Album hit that Timbaland produced. “What are we doing? ‘Dirt Off Your Shoulder’!”
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The debate continued without reaching a unanimous verdict as Pharrell called Timbo the “king of JAY-Z records,” which his fellow Virginia native humbly shrugged off by saying: “No, Pharrell the prince!”
