Since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic last March, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz platform has provided Hip Hop and R&B fans with a host of unforgettable moments.
The battle series has seen Gucci Mane and Jeezy turn their long-standing beef into a trap-rap peace summit, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott soothe our souls with their neo-soul classics and, most recently, The LOX dismantle Dipset in their own backyard.
But who does Bas think would make a worthy opponent for his Dreamville crew in a Verzuz battle? As revealed during a recent interview with Power 106’s DJ Carisma, the Queens MC is eyeing up a future contest with Top Dawg Entertainment.
“It’s gotta be TDE, right?” he said when asked who he’d like to see Dreamville face in a hypothetical Verzuz battle in five to ten years’ time. “That’s family, but it’d be good competition, for sure.”
Bas likely isn’t alone in thinking a Dreamville and Top Dawg Entertainment Verzuz would make for a mouth-watering contest. Founded by J. Cole, Dreamville’s diverse squad includes J.I.D, Ari Lennox, Bas, EarthGang, Cozz, Lute and Omen, alongside Cole himself.
Meanwhile, TDE’s heavyweight roster boasts Kendrick Lamar, SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad, Ab-Soul, SiR, Reason, Zacari and Lance Skiiiwalker. Both crews rose to prominence during the mid-’00s Rap Blog Era and their artists have collaborated numerous times.
Before Dreamville and TDE fans get their hopes up, though, Bas clarified that the two crews haven’t discussed plans for a Verzuz battle just yet. “We gotta solidify everything,” he added.
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Elsewhere in the interview, Bas explained the meaning behind his new single “The Jackie,” which features J. Cole and fellow New Yorker Lil Tjay.
“The Jackie is the Jackie Robinson Parkway,” he said. “It takes you from Queens to Brooklyn. It’s a little two-lane highway, it’s mad treacherous, a little snake road. If you grew up in Queens or in Brooklyn, you’re very familiar with that parkway.
“To me, [the song] just kinda signified a summer New York story of, like, you might meet a girl at the park, at a BBQ, at a party or something. She’s from Brooklyn and you’re from Queens or she’s from The Bronx and you’re from Brooklyn, whatever the case may be. And you gotta get on The Jackie and go see her, and when you get there, it’s 10 dudes on her block looking at you crazy.”
He added, “We just wanted to do something that was light, that was fun, that was bright. We’ve been locked down and it felt like a good way to come back outside.”
For a second I thought wow what a great idea. But then I realized I’d rather just Cole vs Kdot
TDE will wack you guys on God, don’t forget black hippy…
Lol nah and I love dreamville.
Dreamville Bas needs his head re-examine. Nobody on Deamville can stand toe to toe with Schoolboy Q or Lamar. Those two dudes are on some other shit.
TDE would crush them, it’s not a competition at all.
Love Dreamville and all, but TDE would wipe the fucking floor with them..
Dreamille is cool and all, but TDE might win this shit.
Let me save you the trouble. TDE Wins
No doubt it would be fun to watch but does it seem like Kendrick retired??? last LP is going on 5 years
tde has some hitters…. Dreamville is literally a handful of nobodies…. And J Cole. Nobody wants to see this