Verzuz is a digital streaming online platform for artists to recreate a musical battle experience. The creators are producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. On March 24, 2020, they hopped on Instagram Live for a virtual battle for fans to enjoy. Little did they know that it would become the new normal for some time.

To understand the virtual battles, we have to rewind the tape to the early 1970s. When Hip-Hop first burst onto the scene, it gained popularity at house parties. These parties would complement DJs, breakdancing, graffiti, and rapping. Thus, this set the ambiance for one versus one.

Hip-hop has always been a competitive sport, and rap battles are proof of that. A rap battle consists of two opponents and a DJ. Once the DJ spins the wheel, the participants take turns to follow the beat and spit their best bars. Lastly, the audience crowns the winner as whoever has the best set.

In July 2017, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz called each other out for a virtual beat battle. However, it wasn’t until the Summer Jam 2018 held in New Jersey that the hit-makers took the stage for a proper face-off. Instead of spitting bars, they came packed with some of their best-produced catalog.

In March 2020, once the COVID-19 pandemic spread, the iconic producers arranged another virtual battle. But this one was different, captivating the attention of millions. As a result, Verzuz music was created.

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The rules are simple: two opponents (producers or singers) face off in 20 rounds while playing their best catalog. The songs can be:

• Own solo songs
• Songs they have written for other artists
• Songs they have produced

Instead of packing stadiums or venues, viewers watched the show while joining the Instagram Live session. The first season boasted battles from well-known producers Boi-1da vs. Hit-Boy to veteran rap artists Nelly vs. Ludacris to singers Alicia Keys vs. John Legend. The spotlight has always shone on the artists, until now.

Verzuz has not only brought fans together but has also helped squash long-lasting feuds. Namely, after two decades of not seeing eye to eye, rap artists Jeezy and Gucci Mane put it all behind them by kicking off season 2 in November 2020.

Moreover, Verzuz music has also given a platform for producers to display their catalogs. Throughout storytelling, artists and producers share with fans how the song came to be (behind the scenes) and now and then release never-before-heard verses or songs.

To fans’ delight, in January 2021, Timbo and Swizz Beatz announced they were in the early stages of implementing holograms into their Verzuz series. In fact, they already have quite the line-up, which could include Hip-Hop’s Tupac (R.I.P) vs. Biggie (R.I.P) and singers Prince (R.I.P) vs. Michael Jackson (R.I.P).

It is worth mentioning that fans have already experienced holograms before. In 2012, the Coachella festival showcased a posthumous live performance of Tupac Shakur. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how Verzuz applies the technology in the future.

Out of a bad situation, Verzuz has been able to bring fans together for a virtual musical battle experience. Despite both producers teaming up for a proper song in 2013 (ironically, called Versus), this collaboration of Verzuz is their best creation yet.

Happy birthday, Timbaland!

Listen to the producers’ Verzuz music battle catalog in the link below.

1. “Give It To Me” music video by Timbaland. Directed by Paul Coy Allen (Insterscope, 2007). ↩︎

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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut vinyl LP of Lauryn Hill. It marked a before and after on her musical journey. On August 25, 2024, for its 26th anniversary, I trace back the beginnings of her life with her then-group, the gift of being at the top as a solo artist, the curse of fame, and her comeback.

Prelude

It comes as no surprise that our childhood surroundings shape, alter, or influence our future. That is what happened to Lauryn Noelle Hill, born on May 26, 1975. Being surrounded by instrumentation inspired her to be a performer.

At age 16 (1991), she saw the perfect opportunity while still in High School, when a friend by the name of Prakazrel “Pras” Michel played down the idea of forming a band alongside his cousin Wyclef Jean. They called themselves “The Fugees.”

Joining forces sparked their debut album, “Blunted on Reality” (1994). A record fused with Hip-Hop, reggae, and rock. Regardless of the lack of positive reviews, the LP introduced its personas to small audiences.

But if their debut LP didn’t catapult them to fame, the second one did. Once “The Score” (1996) dropped, it was a game-changer. It hailed them as the most powerful group at that time. Unfortunately, the victory didn’t last long.

The one to blame? The media. As Hip-Hop culture goes, it is mandatory to crown a leader, whether naming the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) or listing the Top 10 Death or Alive (D.O.A.), friction started to rise amongst the group. “I don’t need an entourage. Why do I need a crew for?”

So, who was the leader of the group? Was it Pras, Wyclef (on the production side), or Hill (as the singer)? Indeed, jealousy entered the chart. Just a mere year later, they parted ways. Nonetheless, this motivated her to pursue a solo career.

The Gift of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”

Throughout the upcoming year, she locked herself in the studio to record “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Released on August 25, 1998, it hailed her as a triple threat: a singer, a writer, and a producer.

Containing the singles such as “Doo Wop,” “Everything is Everything” and “Ex-Factor“, the 16-track project catapulted her to new heights of fame. Now, she didn’t have to share the spotlight with anyone.

You know how the saying goes, “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” Indeed, she had the numbers to back up the best female rapper slash performer alive title. In just one month, the album reached platinum status.

On the record, Hill effortlessly blended the singing and the rapping. It went on to win 5 Grammy Awards (1999). For the next years, she remained at the top. However, the problem with climbing new heights is that once you reach the summit, there is no other place to go but down.

The Curse of Ms. Hill

At the beginning of the 2000s, Hill went on to seclude herself from the world and became a mother. During that hiatus, she released the live record “MTV Unplugged No. 2” (2002) only to be mixed with reviews.

A planned reunion album with “The Fugees” collapsed due to old friction (2005) with her group, and a solo tour was a disaster (2009). And it only got worse. In 2013, she served a prison sentence for tax evasion.

So, as previously mentioned, once at the summit, the view is amazing, but there is no other place but down. And that is the end for many artists. The public never hears from them again, and they become the next candidate for a “What Happened to X or Y?” video. However, something strange happened once she got involved in a new soundtrack.

The Come-Back of Ms. Lauryn Hill

In 2010, Hill performed the “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” For the first time in years, a successful performance. Now and then, she released singles to positive reviews. However, once she contributed six tracks to the soundtrack of Miss. Simone (2015), a spark was ignited.

Upon watching the docu, the viewer can also feel Lauryn’s pain in a way since her life has an eerie resemblance to Nina Simone (R.I.P.) when it comes to stage performance. Perhaps two misunderstood artists.

Every artist gets to release their first album. There are two outcomes possible: a classic or a flop. On “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” Hill perfectly executes a lyrical motion picture. It sets the bar on how to release concept albums.

Despite the downfall she went through, she rose like a phoenix. With only one solo album under her name, Lauryn Hill opened the doors for many female rappers and singers. Her legacy is undeniable, and her blueprint ID can be traced to artists such as Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Nas, to name a few.

As of 2024, the LP has been certified double diamond. Ms. Hill is the only female rapper to have this title.

Relisten to the classic “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” vinyl on its 26th anniversary.

1. “Ex-Factor” music video. Directed by Malik Sayeed (Ruffhouse, Columbia Records, 1998). ↩︎

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Hawaii is an island located in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the U.S. It is home to eight major islands, including its beautiful islet named Oahu, also known as “The Gathering Place.” In 2009, while in hot waters, rapper Kanye West found the perfect place for “The Hawaii Sessions.”

Before making it as a rapper, Kanye was a producer. In the early 2000s, he was crafting beats for Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z’s back-then music label. As covered in my previous post, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001) is a Hip-Hop classic. An album where West left his stamp as a beat-maker.

However, West didn’t want to hide behind a beat forever. He wished to break free and let the lights shine on him. Eventually, he signed to Roc-A-Fella Records (2002).

The years to follow birthed LPs such as “The College Dropout” (2004), “Late Registration” (2005), “Graduation” (2007), and “808s and Heartbreak” (2008). Nonetheless, such a legacy was tarnished at the infamous Video Music Awards (2009).

Ever since, Kanye has carried a crucifix, which pinpoints him to that event. The reason why he was labeled as crazy, delusional, to even a jackass by the then-president of America.

Subsequently, under such a thunderstorm, he knew he had to find spirituality away from society. And indeed he did, in the remote island of Oahu, Hawaii.

The Hawaii Sessions

The months to follow sparked creativeness to a new height. Consequently, he flew in a variety of artists to work with. Namely, top-tier producers Mike Dean, RZA, Q-Tip, Madlib, Swizz Beatz, No I.D., and musicians Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Nicki Minaj, CyHi The Prynce, Rihanna, and Bon Iver.

Therefore, in 2016, once again in hot waters, he exiled himself to a place called “Wyoming.” Clearly, you can’t help to pinpoint a similarity. A genius who is about to do it again.

Part 2: Wyoming Session premieres: May, 2021.

In the meantime, watch his fashion-inspired video “Runaway,” his full-length film, and listen to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” in the link below.

1. “Runaway” music video by Kanye West. Directed by Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010) ↩︎
2. “Runaway” full-length film by Kanye West. Directed by Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
3. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” album by Kanye West. Cover artwork by George Condo and Virgil Abloh (Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎

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