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Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Brooklyn MuseumThough fans have suggested various Verzuz battles between artists and producers, co-creator Swizz Beatz says he won’t pressure any artists to join the series.
“Verzuz is not a battle, its a celebration,” Swizz during a conversation with Joe Budden on Beatz’s Radio Instagram Live on Tuesday.
“We only select people in Verzuz that love each other and respect each other,” Swizz declared.
Although he appreciates fans suggesting artists such as Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, and more, Swizz says he won’t pressure any artist to do the series he co-created with Timbaland, not even Drake.
“People say Drake vs this, Drake vs that. Drake gotta call and say ‘Hey man I’m with that’ for it to work,” he told Budden.
“I can’t call Drake, I’m not [going to] press Drake to do Verzuz,” Swizz continued. “In order for Drake to be involved it gotta be [against] somebody that he respects to do it. And when he does it, I think it’s going to be great.”
Swizz had the same reaction for Pharrell Williams, whom he dubbed “the Great Observer.”
“Pharrell will do Verzuz when he feels it in his heart and in his soul, so therefore I would never press Pharrell to do Verzuz,” he said.
But for now, Swizz said “grab ya eye patches,” announcing the next celebration will be between Nelly and Ludacris this Saturday, May 16th at 7 p.m. ET on Instagram Live.
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