Leveling up always comes with its share of naysayers, and such is the case for Swizz Beatz and Timbaland and their latest move.
After announcing their record-breaking quarantine series Verzuz has been acquired by Triller Network on Tuesday (March 9), Power star Michael Rainey (a.k.a. “Tariq”) took to his Instagram Story to call the legendary producers “sellouts.”
“Can’t ever just have something of our own it’s always about the money,” he wrote. “Cool move but these n-ggas still sellouts.”
Of course, the guys weren’t about to let this just go unnoticed and quickly arrived in the comments section of Hollywood Unlocked with a word.
“But we own triller,” Swizz responded with a shrug and laughing emoji.
“We own everything tell who done that,” Timbo added.
As part of the deal (which was for an undisclosed amount), Swizz and Timbo became shareholders in Triller Network – thus making them owners. The move also helped pay out all 43 artists who have appeared on the platform thus far.
50 Cent Says Jeezy Only Did Gucci Mane Verzuz Because He Was 'Desperate' To Sell Records
“This is a momentous occasion not only for Verzuz and Triller but the music business as a whole,” the duo said in a joint statement. “By putting Verzuz in the Triller Network ecosystem and expanding the Verzuz brand to be side by side with the powerful Triller app, we will be able to continue to grow and evolve the music business as a whole, as we have been doing. To have partners in Triller who share our vision, specifically to celebrate and elevate the amazing artists who continue to shape culture around the world and give the consumer more direct access, is game-changing.”
Up next for Verzuz, Wu-Tang Clan legends Ghostface Killah and Raekwon will go bar for bar from the Shaolin Temple. No date has been announced as of yet, however.
Yeah, I don’t disagree with the young bull on this. Granted, they did become “shareholders” in Triller, but technically, isn’t anyone who owns stocks of Triller a shareholder? So you own a portion of the company that owns all of your groundbreaking company? It didn’t say they became majority shareholders, so wouldn’t whoever are majority shareholders have more say in the direction of Triller, the company that acquired Verzuz, than the group of minority shareholders? I just don’t know why they sold it now, after one pandemic season of success. Imagine Verzuz shows as live concerts. The gate alone on those would be crazy if done the right way.
They probably ran out of ideas. It kinda got lame towards the end but the brand name is strong to want to keep it going in the right direction.
Nobody cares about Verzuz anymore it was hot the first few times and when Jezzy and Gucci did it, people cared when they were stuck in the house. Now that every thing is starting to open up nobody given no f’s about verzuz. Too many technical problems, ego’s. It was fresh and quickly became stale. Verzuz reminds me of myspace. Swizz say they own triller??? Yea ok…. we believe you the same way we believe Jay when they were trying to claim he own the Nets. 50 had a line in a song he said: You can’t always believe what you here in the streets/ that n–ga said he on the team he only own a seat/ That’s fools gold he sold to you fools/ I watch you buy it/ This must be a new hustle/ I might try it.
on sum real shit. they sold out to triller cuz versus was dying out. aint nobody gunna dwnlload that app just to watch that shit.
I guess he’s calling out Hov for selling Tidal too? These aren’t struggling artists, they’re entertainers capitalizing off name recognition. Glad they managed to cash in, hopefully they got a decent price for this. If that app doesn’t do well those shares are worthless. Nobody is paying top dollar to see any battle live. But it is ironic every time someone hops on a podcast and goes on about black ownership. The lucky few in position to own things don’t appear to be in the game for longevity sake.
Sorry to say…but Verzus is dying out slowly as the World opens back up…..shit was dope when we were stuck in the house…..
I agree with the kid!! They did sell out. They had an idea that turned into a great thing. Like the comment below, they could’ve started Verzuz concert series or something! Imagine getting to see Jeezy/Gucci on stage doing 20 of their hits or DeAngelo and Maxwell…. They could’ve expanded Verzuz to so much more! Instead they went for the money. Now they don’t OWN Verzuz anymore, which is what the kid is speaking on. We always yelling “Black Ownership” but sell to the first white corporation or buyer!!
He’s right. They don’t own it. They own a PART of it.
Why didn’t they take the time to respond to 50 cent the way that they did this?
Verzuz could have easily expanded. They were so focused on hip hop and in one lane they obv havnt even thought about country verzuz, punjabi versuz, reggae vz, jazz verzuz, shit get some classical opera bands and verzuz them lol..
Point being the world is bigger than hiphop and u could of still branched out into other cultures music in Verzuz and be black american owned w.o only catering to only ‘black american music’ ..expansion.. Verzuz was a great idea just obv didnt come with big enough vision.
Nah, fuck that other shit. We give R&B its props but that’s where it stops.
Ok thats where it stops for you and thats why the community is broke. U make a million dollar idea, try to make it for the culture only turn the 1m into 1k, go broke, sell it and watch the white man turn it into gold not being discrimitive
ya like classical bands with movie soundtracks verzuz
People don’t understand business. Verzuz isn’t the bbq or your family cookout. It’s a business. They built it and they’re selling at a high. How many people can say that. It was build during a pandemic when people were forced to stay inside and now that things are opening up, it’s bound to depreciate in value. Everything doesn’t have to be “black owned”. Learn to build and sell at a high, it’s an incredibly hard thing to pull off
All it takes is one share out of millions or more to become a. “owner” or shareholder. And most dont have direct control of a company. Only the majority owner of the company does.
Not a fan of verzuz at all tried to watch it a few times just wasn’t for me. If yall feel like this
was a corny move by Timbo and Swizz, why?? They both have been cheesy and corny for like the last 10 years. Now I do have to give them credit for their legendary skills, and hits. Also when the number is undisclosed for what they got for the sale to triller, I’m going to have to think that number is lower than expected, because if that number was big, it would be in the best interest of both parties to make that number known publicly.
Did Tariq make the same statement about Jay-z and his recent deals? Did Jay sell out too. I don’t recall hearing that shit. Tariq have 2 seats and let the old guard show you how to make moves in this entertainment industry. Too many people got negative shit to say about something positive….that they’ve never done. Go sit down fam!