An old Instagram Live clip of Verzuz co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland started making the rounds on Tuesday (September 15) that found the two arguing over a potential Missy Elliott versus Janet Jackson battle.
Timbo was convinced it was be an epic match, but Swizz wasn’t so sure. In fact, he insinuated Jackson didn’t have the material to keep up with Missy, subsequently causing an uproar on Twitter.
In the clip, Timbo says, “What about Janet and Missy?”
Swizz quickly shakes his head and replies, “No, because Missy could be multiple people. Janet just gotta be Janet. Missy’s in the comments right there. She says, ‘no Missy versus Busta, I’m his twin, cheerleader. My money on Bus-A-Bus. And we said that. Sis, we need you and everybody tag Missy ’cause she’s in the comments. Tell her that we need her.”
When Timbo asks Missy who she’d want to battle, he says, ‘See, Janet vault too big,’” to which Swizz says, “I don’t think so. I don’t agree with that.”
Swizz Beatz saying that Janet Jackson doesn’t have the vault to do a #verzuz against Missy. Why say this shit 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. pic.twitter.com/qmEZpbukp3
— Maya Boochielou (@stawpfeenin) September 14, 2020
Twitter lit up with reactions to Swizz’s comments and he soon became a trending topic. Jackson is one of pop music’s most prolific stars with 11 solo studio albums under her belt, multiple hits with The Jackson 5, millions of albums sold and a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Grammy Award-winning singer has No. 1 hits across three different decades, 27 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 No. 1s and 16 No. 1s on the R&B Chart. Seven of her albums have hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200, including Control (1986), Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989 and Janet (1993).
On the flip side, Missy is also heralded as a musical icon. The Virginia native was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2019 having penned hits for numerous artists, including the late Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and Monica.
As a solo artist, she’s pumped out six studio albums, which have all gone platinum or multi-platinum with the exception of 2005’s The Cookbook (the project was certified gold by the RIAA). In August 2019, she dropped a solo EP called Iconology, which peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200.
But Swizz doubled down on his comments and tweeted, “I still to this day don’t think Janet vs Missy is a good match up. I said what I said. y’all know that match up doesn’t make sense at all.”
I still to this day don’t think Janet vs Missy is a good match up ??♂️ I said what I said ?? y’all know that match up doesn’t make sense at all ? @verzuztv love and blessings ?? https://t.co/g0Ysvg7Q8x
— SWIZZ BEATZ (@THEREALSWIZZZ) September 15, 2020
Needless to say, Jackson fans were riled up after seeing Swizz’s comments and promptly took to the social media platform to weigh in.
Check some of the reactions out below.
Swizz Cheese Beatz needs to stop discrediting Janet Jackson…..this is the second time, he has tried to discredit her on IG live. He needs to stop discrediting Janet & focus on his family & his other child (with that UK British singer)!!
Y'all not finna disrespect Janet!!— ??????❖ (@blissfullrenee) September 14, 2020
Swizz Beatz is f*cking stupid. In what world is Missy beating THE Janet Jackson in a hits battle pic.twitter.com/eyzDPRdEwS
— ? (@hauntedwoman) September 14, 2020
Swizz Beatz coming online with his Janet and Missy opinion pic.twitter.com/MV4OQE1dxL
— ? (@DiaryOfKeysus) September 15, 2020
Wait, Swizz Beatz is in the MUSIC INDUSTRY saying what I just read he said about JANET??? If that nigga don't take his Fisher Price My First Keyboard beats and sit his ass down somewhere
— Lamont Price (@LPizzle) September 15, 2020
What in the entire f*ck ?@THEREALSWIZZZ https://t.co/sVPbcuZ2Uh
— B.⚡️LADE™ (@BSladeNow) September 15, 2020
Which "Janet" would that be tho??
Cuz here's 30 and thats JUST scratching the surface. pic.twitter.com/PdU99W18Mg— aimeetoons ?❤ (@aimeetoons) September 15, 2020
Swizz Beatz says Janet Jackson —yes, THEE Janet Jackson — doesn’t have the vault to go up against @MissyElliott in a #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/w6K3YNh15L
— Tamantha ?? (@Tamantha_5) September 15, 2020
Excuse @THEREALSWIZZZ shut you cheating ass mouth before you say some shit that one Missy would even agree with. Janet has hits in 3 different decades sir and is the reason all of these girls have a career #Verzuz https://t.co/XrVeeMjy6P pic.twitter.com/N5HOQv0hxl
— FentyliyahGlory (@FentyliyahGlory) September 14, 2020
I still can’t believe Swizz beatz tried to invalidate Janet’s success as an artist.
— Karen Clark-Sheard Stan Acct (@KrishaaMariah) September 15, 2020
Swizz Beatz is high af, cause Janet has a bigger category and more hits than his wife! He need to sit tf down somewhere. No Janet slander allowed https://t.co/65SLOtd4ij
— Jennifer ???? (@Jhill1382) September 15, 2020
Who the fuck is @THEREALSWIZZZ ? He ain’t no Janet Fucking Jackson…boy kaboom ? get your life…when you’re a legend and known across the globe..when you have a #1 album in the last 4 decades..when you are in the rock and roll hall of fame..when you’re an icon..then talk.
— israel✨??♂️ (@KingSrIsrael) September 14, 2020
Ain’t Janet Jackson been in the music industry for 40ish years? Swizz Beatz is an idiot. https://t.co/rYU5FoXpS3
— Mack Brown Fan Club Membership Chair (@bluestdeuce) September 14, 2020
Swizz Beatz disrespecting Janet Jackson, THE Janet Jackson like that is upsetting my spirit pic.twitter.com/thxhdpM9cV
— . (@OnyaSolomon_) September 15, 2020
@THEREALSWIZZZ……You need to humble yourself and apologize for the fuckery that spewed from your mouth concerning Janet. That was some real clown shit. #YouTriedIt #JanetJackson https://t.co/GW8B8wLF01
— Sagittarius Woman (@Cassandrar912) September 15, 2020
Swizz Beatz got to much dip on his chip! To compare Janet & Missy is DUMB bc 1 is a singer & the other is a rapper! & then to have the AUDACITY to think Janet don’t have 20 solid songs??smoking that good crack bc WTF
— Boogie✨??… (@IllmaticQueen_) September 15, 2020