Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have incurred the wrath of “Black Twitter” on X after collaborating with Elon Musk for the relaunch of their culture-shifting enterprise, Verzuz.
Verzuz, as pop culture recalls, became a worldwide phenomenon during the apex of the coronavirus pandemic as it enabled millions of fans to enjoy battle performances with A-list and legendary acts.
What also endeared Swizz and Timbs to urbanites is the fact that the company is Black-owned and sought to empower the Black entertainers who appeared on Verzuz by making them shareholders of the company.
Fans are angry at Swizz Beatz and Timbaland
That goodwill has evaporated for many Blacks after Swizz and Timbs announced the rebirth of Verzuz on X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” Swizz penned on X. “We will also be building new entertainment businesses on the X platform! Never give up on your dreams or your company Happy Juneteenth.”
Some are irate that Swizz and Timbs have signed a distribution deal to relaunch their popular battle series Verzuz on the social platform, despite the fact will maintain ownership of Verzuz and future streams will be free to watch on X.
Bishop Talbert Swan was among the most prominent who fired the first shots at Swizz and Timbs.
Others were just as heated.
“White supremacists making money off Black labor with Black folks overseeing them on behalf of the oppressor is the American way,” a user wrote.
Other users were infuriated that the business partners made this announcement on Juneteenth, knowing Elon’s record of making racist comments and coddling bigots on his platform.
“This is insane that their marketing team or whoever thought this would be a good look and on THIS day. Verzuz has ran its course and did what it needed to do for the time it was needed. This is lame sellout energy,” a detractor wrote.
Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late legendary Isaac Hayes II who penned the Oscar-winning soundtrack to the movie Shaft, wishes Swizz and Timbs had chosen his Fanbase or other Black platform to relaunch Verzuz.
