Swizz Beatz responds after he and Timbaland, co-founders of the iconic Verzuz series, are under fire from fans following their partnership announcement with Elon Musk's platform, X.
- Jun 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - The music producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland found themselves in hot water after revealing a new exclusive distribution partnership between "Verzuz" and Elon Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
Announced on Juneteenth - a pivotal date commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans - the timing and nature of the deal added fuel to the flames of controversy. Critics have accused Musk of amplifying racially insensitive rhetoric, which has heightened the backlash against Swizz and Timbaland's decision.
Swizz Beatz took to Instagram on June 21 to address the uproar and defend the decision. "We will show you better than tell you. Blessings to all," he captioned his post. He emphasized that Verzuz has been on Twitter, now X, since its inception and that this move aligns with their long-term vision. "Verzuz been on this platform since day one! We're 100% black owned, and we own 100% of the IP and company!" he reiterated in the comment section.
Despite their assurances, the reaction from social media has been far from supportive. Many questioned why the duo chose to collaborate with Musk, who has faced accusations of racism.
"The Black Rich Are So Out Of Touch!" read a viral post reacting to the announcement. Another user criticized the decision, writing, "WE the people are not feeling this. This is wild," to which Swizz Beatz lightheartedly replied, "Trust me that was the last thing we did was sell out [crying-laughing emoji] relax you will understand in 1min."
Besides addressing the criticisms, Swizz Beatz hinted at the potential benefits of the deal. The partnership with X could significantly boost Verzuz's reach, making it accessible to over 550 million active users worldwide. Furthermore, Swizz and Timbaland ensured that they retain full ownership and creative control over the series while X will provide exclusive distribution.
The initial intent behind Verzuz was to entertain people during the COVID-19 lockdown, offering a platform where iconic musicians could engage in friendly hit-for-hit showdowns. With this new deal, the co-founders aim to revive and expand the series, adding more dimension to its future.
While the public remains divided, the true impact of this deal on Verzuz will only be seen in time. As Swizz Beatz succinctly put it, "People want to talk without doing the homework. The convo always been on that platform King bless up!!"
