After being postponed twice, R&B staples Ashanti and Keyshia Cole finally faced off on the popular Apple Music series Verzuz last night. The duo went head to head in a battle of the rhythm and blues, and while Ashanti seemed in good spirits it was Cole who seemed perturbed about something. Fans noticed, after the star was an hour and a half late to her live stream.
Now we waiting on Ms. Keisha Cole #Verzuz #verzuzbattle pic.twitter.com/WpfrQVJZYm
— camiseta armani con pantalones negros (@sunvirgomoon) January 22, 2021
now we waiting on Ms. Keisha Cole #Verzuz
Said one fan, when the star was late.
Taking to twitter, people quickly began to speculate why the “I Should Have Cheated” singer might be upset and if it had anything to do with her ex Niko Khale.
Ashanti seems like she’s fun no matter the occasion. Keyshia the girl that lets a man ruin her whole week and takes it out on all her friends
Ashanti seems like she’s fun no matter the occasion. Keyshia the girl that lets a man ruin her whole week and takes it out on all her friends
— Hipsey Hussle (@__DaveyBaby) January 22, 2021
Who done pissed Keisha Cole off?? #Verzuz
Who done pissed Keisha Cole off?? #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/9C6mfkdMfd
— Ms. (@Ms_A1baby) January 22, 2021
Some fans wanted answer and went directly to what they thought might be the source, asking Khale directly
@NikoKhale why you do that to our good sis? You was supposed to hold us down?
@NikoKhale why you do that to our good sis? You was supposed to hold us down? 😒
— 👑👑 (@_blackglobalceo) January 22, 2021
Lol it wasn’t me
Lol it wasn’t me 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/o4otgDPGWe
— Niko Khalé (@NikoKhale) January 22, 2021
Mane I’m watching the baby yalll buggin let me live
It was eventually Cole’s DJ, DJ Hi-C that offered a proper explanation. Speaking with 97.9 The Box, he confessed that the star was a bit out of sorts due to issues with her connection. “Keisha was perturbed because her screen was blurry and she was having technical difficulties. Her screen was blurry, She was there the whole time but she didn’t want to come out because the screen was blurry and stuff wasn’t right,” said DJ HI-C.
Billboard called the battle in Ashanti’s favor, with a final score of 12 rounds won to Cole’s 10, with 3 rounds consider a tie according to some of the outlet’s judging. Fans of Cole and Ashanti were not only treated to past hits like “Happy”, “I Changed My Mind”, “Rock Wit U” and “Love”, but also some new records. Ashanti properly dropped a new single called “235 (2:35 I Want You)” at midnight.