Swizz Beatz

As Verzuz Covers Billboard, Consider How the ‘Verzuz Effect’ Is Evolving Music


DMX and Snoop Dogg’s Verzuz battle. (Source: Complex)

Verzuz has evolved from a fun way to listen to hit songs on Instagram Live during quarantine into “a cultural institution [reviving and sparking] new interest in hip-hop and R&B’s legacy songs and artists.” This quote is pulled from the latest edition of Billboard Magazine, which features the Swizz Beatz and Timbaland co-created concept as its cover story. However, most powerful to consider regarding Verzuz’s future is the impact of the event-related popularity surge known as the “Verzuz Effect.”

Verzuz’s explosive potential is transforming key areas of the music industry. April 20’s Teddy Riley vs. Babyface battle resulted in a 115% increase in on-demand streams for both artists combined. Babyface also saw both his Instagram followers jumped from 300,000 to 1 million, plus an increase in sample clearance requests.

Recently, the impact has moved past Instagram and solely streaming music platforms. For new Verzuz partner Apple Music, Verzuz’s placement there has resulted in a reported over half a million concurrent views for each battle, the most-watched of any livestreams held on the platform.

Also, since Memorial Day, DiageoCiroc vodka‘s parent company — has signed on as a multimillion-dollar sponsor. Moreover, as also revealed in Billboard, if artists endorse, Apple Music, Diageo’s liquor brands, or any of the other forthcoming potential sponsors, Verzuz will offer artists payment for their battle time.

Already, Verzuz has — via Apple and Diageo — brands worth a Forbes-estimated $1.4 trillion already on board. What has developed during a global pandemic and one of the most shocking eras in the history of modern music is clearly impressive.

Latin and African pop-specific Verzuz battles are reportedly also on the horizon. Key to note here is Apple Music’s recent desire to engage in expansion in the African marketplace. As well, “Latin Music Is Growing Faster Than Overall U.S. Music Market” reads an April Rolling Stone headline. Attaching Verzuz to that growth could have gigantic possibilities, especially for that culture’s classic reggaeton, bachata, and salsa superstars.

“People need to be educated and celebrated. That’s why we say we’ve got a long runway with this thing,” Swizz Beatz notes. Creatives playing music hits over poor Instagram Live connections in the name of avoiding boredom has blossomed into a trillion-plus dollar industry. The “Verzuz Effect” has, and will continue to yield radical, industry-shifting consequences.

Interested in hearing a few classics from the Verzuz battles? Check out Beatsource‘s “Versus Series” here.

Related Post: Verzuz Officially Names Apple Music as a Broadcast Partner: What’s Next?

Verzuz Officially Names Apple Music as a Broadcast Partner: What’s Next?

Verzuz co-founders Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. (Source: Getty Images)

Verzuz, the quarantine-borne Instagram Live streaming producer and artist competition series started by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, will now be available on Apple Music and Beats 1. The forthcoming July 22, 8 PM EST “Battle of the Dogs” between Snoop Dogg and DMX will be the first official Verzuz battle broadcast via the partnership. Previously, Apple Music and Beats 1 live-streamed a dueling piano Juneteenth episode of Verzuz, featuring Alicia Keys and John Legend.

The move is likely aimed at creating greater structure and longevity for the series. Past battles have featured significant technical difficulties, as well as connection issues posed by solely using Instagram Live. As well, the ability to maintain the series as an episodic-style catalog has not been possible. As quarantine moves into its fourth month with no definitive end in sight, Verzuz gaining sustainability as a breakout music industry leader for compelling content feels necessary. Concerns about paying artists and developing live music options are an industry concern. Ideas like simulcasting Verzuz, for free, via Instagram Live, but making it available via paywalled, subscription-only services like Apple Music and Beats 1 begin to solve this issue.

Peak musical content engagement goals during quarantine spiked 400 percent in the 50 days between D-Nice‘s 150,000 peak viewer March 21 DJ stream to Jill Scott and Erykah Badu‘s 750,000+ peak viewer May 9 Verzuz battle. However, top producers like Pharrell Williams and musical acts with Verzuz-ready catalogs like Jay-Z and Beyoncé have yet to be tabbed to “compete.” It is entirely likely that their involvement could potentially raise those numbers well over one million-plus peak viewers. If this were to occur, having multiple live arms for engagement, as well as the ability to both monetize and archive Verzuz, would be valuable.

For more Verzuz information, visit them via Instagram.

Related Post: Music Industry Adapts to Increasing Power of Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch

Watch Lil Wayne’s ‘Uproar’ Video

Lil wayne

Lil Wayne has shared the video for his Swizz Beatz-produced hit single, “Uproar.” The track, which peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100, has close to 30 million streams on Spotify.

The visual shows various people taking part in Wayne’s #UproarChallenge dance. It features cameos from Swizz himself as well as comedian Shiggy, the creator of the viral dance.

“Uproar” is the lead single from Wayne’s twelfth studio album, Tha Carter V. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in September.

Watch the video above and download “Uproar” on DJcity.

Related: Watch French Montana’s ‘No Stylist’ Video Feat. Drake

Watch DJ Snake’s ‘The Half’ Video Ft. Jeremih, Young Thug and Swizz Beatz

DJ Snake

DJ Snake has dropped a futuristic (and bootylicious) visual for his 85 BPM heater, “The Half.” The track, which features Young Thug, Jeremih, and Swizz Beatz, was one of DJcity’s most downloaded songs of 2016.

Watch the video above and download the track on DJcity.

Related: Watch DJ Snake’s ‘Let Me Love You’ Video Ft. Justin Bieber

DJ Snake Drops New Single ‘The Half’ Ft. Young Thug, Jeremih, & Swizz Beatz

DJ Snake

DJ Snake

DJ Snake has dropped “The Half,” the latest single off his upcoming debut album, Encore, which arrives on Friday. The track features Young Thug, Jeremih, and Swizz Beatz and is the first hip-hop-oriented single off the album. Stream below and download on DJcity.

Related: DJ Snake Drops New Track ‘Talk’ Feat. George Maple

Swizz Beatz Urges Artists to Start Their Own Businesses


 
Grammy-award winning hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz recently spoke with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club about the importance of being a business owner. The extensive interview contains insights that both artists and industry professionals can benefit from.
 
During the interview, Swizz urged artists to start businesses so that they can control their music and culture. He cited Dr. Dre’s recent sale of Beats to Apple as an example:
 

“Dre had a great deal. That’s real ownership, real leadership, and that’s why he cashed out the way he cashed out.”

 
Swizz also discussed why he hasn’t released music lately, the current state of hip-hop and more.
 

 
Related: Swizz Beatz Talks ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’

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