Swizz Beatz and Timbaland had to address fans again about claims of selling out their popular brand Verzuz. During a livestream including the two superproducers, Jay-Z engineer Young Guru, and media personality 19Keys, Swizz refuted sold out remarks.
A fan claiming Swizz Beatz and Timbaland sold out when Verzuz sold to Triller, Swizz clarified the valuation. "We ain't sell out, we sold in," said Swizz. "I ain't never sold out a day in my life... Sold out for what? It ain't enough money to sell out... We sold into a idea. Verzuz didn't have an valuation because we gave it to the people for free... These are well thought out plans, not freestyles."
Swizz Beatz reveals that they should have better communicationn with fans about updates regarding Verzuz. "I don't expect people to understand what we doing," said Swizz Beatz. "That is the only thing I could have critique, we could have communicated it to the people better."
Verzuz kicked off in March 2020 when Timbaland and Swizz Beatz hopped on IG Live for a friendly beat battle. Quarantine had folks locked in, and this clash lit up the timeline. What started as two legends going hit-for-hit turned into a full-blown cultural moment.
Fans tuned in heavy to see icons face off—RZA vs. DJ Premier, Jill Scott vs. Erykah Badu, and more. It was nostalgia mixed with respect, straight from the culture.
As the buzz grew, Verzuz leveled up. They linked with Apple Music, then got scooped by Triller in 2021. Battles moved from phones to stages, with real crowds, crisp visuals, and brand deals rolling in. The Lox vs. Dipset and Jeezy vs. Gucci had streets and screens going wild, stamping Verzuz as a new era staple.
By 2022, the wave slowed, but the impact stayed. Timbo and Swizz took the reins back and are plotting the next move. Verzuz still stands as a love letter to Black music—raw, real, and unfiltered.
It flipped the game, showing how legends and fans can connect without middlemen. Legacy meets livestream, and the culture keeps winning.
Panic! At The Disco are preparing to release a special deluxe anniversary edition of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out.
The I Write Sins Not Tragedies icons marked the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking 2005 debut album during their performance at When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas over the weekend, and have now confirmed the new edition.
On January 23, the group — originally formed by Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith, Ryan Ross and Brent Wilson — will unveil a limited edition box set that features a remastered version of the record.
The package, priced at £164.99 and available for pre-order, includes 11 unreleased demos and a vinyl pressing of 2006’s Live In Denver. The full live set has also been uploaded to YouTube.
On the band’s UK store, they shared a message:
“To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Panic! At The Disco’s seminal debut album, this limited edition box set brings together a comprehensive time capsule celebrating the record's impact.
This release includes the original album remastered for the first time ever, 11 unreleased demos, plus the legendary 2006 Live In Denver performance — never before released on vinyl or CD.
The box set also includes a 12-page zine with never before seen photos from the era, a sticker set, a door hanger, and a paper doll set.”
By 2023, the band had essentially become a solo project for Urie. Their final show was held in Manchester, UK, where the frontman said: “Sometimes a journey must end for a new one to begin.
“We’ve been trying to keep it to ourselves, though some of you may have heard… Sarah and I are expecting a baby very soon!
The prospect of being a father and getting to watch my wife become a mother is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to this next adventure.”
Panic! returned to the stage at WWWY over the weekend, performing A Fever You Can't Sweat Out in full alongside fan favorites like This Is Gospel and Nine in the Afternoon.
To end the night, they performed I Write Sins Not Tragedies once again, as Smith reunited with Urie for the emotional closing moment.