When one mentions the name Janet Jackson, many things synonymous to the word “legend” comes to mind. The entertainer and youngest of the Jackson family tribe is an icon in every sense of the word. And with the popularity of the Versus battles helmed by Timbaland and Swizz Beats on the rise, many fans have been throwing her name in the pot in the hopes that she would surface in one of the battles against an artist of equal caliber. However, one half of the team behind Verzuz, begs to differ.
The pandemic hit us like a ton of bricks and the options on the countless movies and series’ on various streaming platforms all started to run out. With the cancellation of concerts, festivals, and many, if not all, venues being shut down people got creative in the field of entertainment. Tory Lanez gave us the unpredictable “Quarantine Radio” (prior to the shooting incident with Megan Thee Stallion).
DJ’s like D-Nice and Questlove hopped on to their Instagram Lives to entertain millions and would transform many a living room into “Club Quarantine”. And most notably, Swiss Beatz and Timbaland would team up together to bring the Verzuz battles, reimagining the battles of earlier Hip-Hop days, but instead, set up to celebrate the artist/producer/songwriter’s works.
It all started with the inaugural battle between creators Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland. Shortly thereafter came Sean Garrett vs. The Dream, which was nothing short of entertaining. Some battles would be laced with issues like the unforgettable Teddy Riley vs. Babyface (which would have to eventually have a second attempt due to the first being so problematic), and some would be all-out parties like the Beenie Man vs. Bounty Killer. Hip-Hop heavyweights like Ludacris and Nelly as well as Snoop vs. DMX would set the roof on fire.
Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott as well as the record-breaking (and most anticipated) Brandy vs. Monica would show us that the women in the music game are not to be played with, as they all took us down memory lane with their intense catalogs of phenomenal music. Most recently Verzuz took it to the old school as Queens of soul and legends Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle came together to take us on a journey through decades of timeless music and overall great times.
With all of the excitement surrounding these battles, fans are always speculating on who’s next, and as we await the official announcement of a potential next one, fans are always quick to suggest who they’d like to see participate next. During a recent conversation that has resurfaced between the super-producer creators of Verzuz, many fans kept suggesting that Janet Jackson go against Missy Elliot. Or to at least see either of the two legends participate in a battle against someone else. The “Money In The Bank” hitmaker, however, doesn’t think that Ms. Jackson has the catalog to be in the conversation.
“You know what? Somebody said Janet,” says Timbaland, leading Swizz to shake his head disapprovingly after a brief pause. “Missy can be multiple people, Janet gotta just be Janet,” says Swizz. Later in the conversation, after Swizz begs fans to ask Missy (who was in the comments as well) to get in on a Verzuz battle, he goes on to say he doesn’t believe Janet has “the vault” to go up against Missy. Fans heard this and began to drag him on social media, bringing up the facts of her monumental career.
Swizz Beatz saying that Janet Jackson doesn’t have the vault to do a #verzuz against Missy. Why say this shit on live?
— Maya Boochielou (@stawpfeenin) September 14, 2020
Janet has #1 hits across THREE different decades. 27 top 10 hits on the BB Hot 100: 10 #1s and 16 #1s on the R&B Charts.
7 #1 albums across FOUR DECADES. pic.twitter.com/qmEZpbukp3
“Swizz Beatz saying that Janet Jackson doesn’t have the vault to do a #verzuz against Missy,” said one user on Twitter. “Why say this sh*t on live? Janet has #1 hits across THREE different decades. 27 top 10 hits on the BB Hot 100: 10 #1s and 16 #1s on the R&B Charts. 7 #1 albums across FOUR DECADES.”
Check out some other reactions from fans below.
I knew this nigga was on drugs
— AshtnMrtn (@AshtnMrtn) May 18, 2020
they even talked about pairing Missy with Lil’ Kim and Busta Rhymes before this.
— Maya Boochielou (@stawpfeenin) September 14, 2020
so, they have a bigger vault to compete with Missy than Janet?
Kim & Busta aren’t producing & writing big hits for other people either, but Janet’s catalogue has the hits.
let’s not be delayed. pic.twitter.com/pYKDqjHHDN
One: I thought the celebration between two artist of equal caliber was the point of the original verzuz (and also giving niggas a show for free because nigga it’s Rona) and two : If Janet THEE Jackson doesn’t have the vault nigga who does.
— Batteries+ Supervisor (@Blike_Dante) September 14, 2020
Big nose just be saying any damn thing. https://t.co/aY13H5J26v