The Instagram Live legendary hip-hop producers battle between RZA and DJ Premier was as advertised. Verzuz came off again with another historical, musical showcase to feed the masses during a tough coronavirus quarantine time.
THE CULTURE WON TONIGHT!!
Thank you @RZA and @REALDJPREMIER
My love for Hip-Hop only gets bigger with these moments!! ❤#NowPlaying la playlist "RZA vs. DJ Premier" em @TIDAL https://t.co/6hZ5bG2MfN
— Method scaTIOns (@Vascations) April 12, 2020
Legendary producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz laid the groundwork with the inaugural VERZUZ battle series, which was taken to another level when WuTang‘s iconic beat chemist and Premo, the orchestrator of the incomparable Gang Starr sound, matched blades.
When it was over, 849,056 people tuned into the clash between all-time talents, who have worked with all of the legends in the industry while contributing to rap’s incredible rise from the backyards and concrete parks of the ghetto to the most consumed music on the planet.
The viewers were a who’s who of the entertainment and music world — everyone from Nas to Diddy– and these game-changing talents went head to head playing memorable hits that they crafted over the past three decades.
It brought back memories and took the 35-and-over crowd back to a place that seems like yesterday, but also a century ago when the reality of current life takes hold.
There are varying opinions on who won. Rza had some technical difficulties coming out of the gate, but once he got that handled, he was releasing bangers, everything from classic WuTang to Biggie.
Great battle ??? but the RZA won!!! pic.twitter.com/VyxwnN0u43
— Shakean (@Shakean410) April 12, 2020
Preemo did the same, dropping his many A and B-side gems with legendary artists like Das EFX — even collabo’s with Wutang rappers. The two producers also discussed hip-hop history in between the songs, which really made the moment a movie of enlightenment.
