Entertainment Gist

Nelly and Ludacris to Face Off in ‘Verzuz’ Battle

Updated

May 8, 2024

Nelly and Ludacris to Face Off in ‘Verzuz’ Battle

It’s going down down, baby.

Nelly and Ludacris will face off in the next “Verzuz” battle, which will take place Saturday, May 16. Swizz Beatz and Timbaland made the official announcement on Instagram Live following Saturday’s battle between Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.

“Ludacris called me and said he wanted the smoke,” said Swizz, while Tim responded, “Nelly want the smoke with Ludacris!”

Nelly and Ludacris will face off on the next #VERZUZ battle on Saturday, 5/16 🥊 pic.twitter.com/6BWEOrv1MP
— Rap-Up (@RapUp) May 10, 2020

Expect an epic matchup from the St. Louis and Atlanta rap titans. Nelly has 14 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 including the chart-topping “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” while Ludacris’ catalog includes smashes such as “Stand Up,” “Southern Hospitality,” and “Money Maker.”

Erykah Badu and Jill Scott were the first women to battle in the “Verzuz” challenge, which took place in honor of Mother’s Day. The livestream set a new record for “Verzus” with 750,000 viewers tuned in at once, including Rihanna, Michelle Obama, and Quincy Jones.

Previous “Verzuz” battles have included Babyface and Teddy Riley, DJ Premier and RZA, Ne-Yo and Johnta Austin, Scott Storch and Mannie Fresh, and Lil Jon and T-Pain.

According to Swizz, you have to be a GOAT to even get an invitation. “You gotta have 20 hits to get in Verzuz,” said Swizz. “GOAT means greatest of all time. Don’t put yourself in that fire if you don’t got no ice.”