All About Laughs
Power lead actor Michael Rainey Jr feels like we should not give ours up so swiftly, and he has specific power players in mind. With the news of Verzuz being sold to Triller, the young actor feels as though its co-creators are nothing but “sellouts”.
During the pandemic, super producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland created the Verzuz platform in order to entertain the masses. Due to its increasing popularity over time and the influx of viewership with each battle, it was recently announced that Verzuz has now found a new home as “Triller Network” (parent company to the Triller app) had acquired the platform.
Taking to Instagram, both Timbaland and Swizz Beatz excitedly shared the news. “By the artist for the artist with the people!!! #Verzuztriller …. @triller @verzuztv,” they wrote. “Life begins after your comfort zone…… Let’s go……..Thx for all your support.”
While the creators were in celebration mode, Michael Rainey Jr. took time out to share his utter disappointment, feeling that Black creators do not have anything to themselves. With strong criticism, the young actor voiced “Can’t ever just have something of our own. It’s always bout the money,” to his Instagram Story. Subsequent to that post Rainey then shared, “Cool move, but these n****s still sellouts.”
The Verzuz creators were not the only ones to catch heat from Rainey Jr., as he also criticized rapper Jay-Z for selling his majority stake in ownership of Tidal to Square., for $297 million and a seat at the Board]of Director’s table. “[And] I feel the same way about Jay Z selling Tidal so don’t come to me wit that argument!!” he wrote.
Both producers caught wind of the 20 year old’s comments once Hollywood Unlocked posted on their social media and offered separate comments. “But we own Triller,” Swizz Beatz wrote with a laughing emoji, while Timbaland added, “We own everything. Tell who done that.”
It is to be noted that although the producers are large shareholders within the deal, both producers have decided to allocate portions of their share “to the 43 artists who have performed on the Verzuz stage.”
Both Swizz Beatz and Timbaland shared their gratitude with Billboard. “I don’t think there’s another company in the world that would let us bring in 43 artists-friends to participate in ownership of a company that’s valued at over a billion plus dollars,” said Swizz Beatz. “They came very strong and also with many creatives that are owners in the company already. That was a sign for us of being a perfect fit — and very disruptive.”
The Power actor then chose to applaud the efforts of the legendary producers for their latest move, however, did not shift in his belief that the platform should not have been sold. “Keep it within the fam all I’m sayin. Gotta start a new beginning somehow,” he said.
