Swizz Beatz and Timbaland revealed the next matchup on Sunday (Feb. 28).
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland revealed the next Verzuz matchup on Sunday (Feb. 28), announcing that Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon are set to do battle.
The news came in a post-show Instagram Live after the head-spinning set from D’Angelo and his legion of special guests on Saturday night. “Play one of the records of who’s coming up next, and I’ll play one too,” Swizz tells Timbaland in the video, which the former posted to Instagram. The Verzuz co-founders then played snippets from the legendary MCs, bobbing their heads to the tunes.
“Raekwon vs. Ghostface, hold on bro,” Swizz said as the men took turns playing bits of each man’s most beloved tracks, including Ghost’s “Run” and ‘Kwon’s “Incarcerated Scarfaces” and “Verbal Intercourse.” “Let’s take it back to the … streets! Let’s take it back to the streets,” Swizz yelled over the pair’s 1995 joint track “Criminology.”
“Whoooo!! What we talkin’ about, New York City? Staten Island stand up!” Swizz added as Tim looked on wide-eyed. “Wu vs. Wu. Raekwon vs. Ghostface Killah. … Dates to come.”
Watch the complete announcement on Swizz Beatz’ Instagram. The battle news comes at about the 10-minute mark.
At press time no date was announced for the showdown, which will find the men following on the heels of their Wu-Tang mates RZA, who faced off against DJ Premiere in May, and Method Man, who slipped into frame with D’Angelo this weekend for “Left & Right” and “Breakups 2 Makeups.”
The dynamic duo have been making tracks together for more than 25 years, beginning on 1995’s solo debut from Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, which was followed by 1996’s Ghostface album Ironman.
A Verzuz spokesperson also confirmed to Billboard that co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland will be doing a battle of their own for the one-year anniversary.
