Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s VERZUZ has been acquired by Triller Network, the parent company of the TikTok competitor Triller.
While the exact nature of the deal was undisclosed, it was announced that the two VERZUZ founders are now “larger shareholders” in the Triller Network and that they have allocated “a portion of their equity in the Triller VERZUZ combined company to all 43 creatives who have performed on VERZUZ to date.”
The list of artists who now own equity in Triller includes; John Legend, DMX, Alicia Keys, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Too $hort, Patti LaBelle, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, E-40, Bounty Killer, Ludacris, RZA, The-Dream, Babyface, Nelly, Jagged Edge, Fred Hammond, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Brandy, Monica, Gladys Knight, Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Ne-Yo, Johnta Austin, Scott Storch, T-Pain, Lil Jon, DJ Premier, Mannie Fresh, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, 112, Kirk Franklin, Sean Garrett, and D’Angelo.
Verzuz competitions pitch R&B and rap legends against one another in virtual one-on-one music battles.
Almost instantly, the show became a pandemic economy success story.
Matchups including stars such as T-Pain vs. Lil Jon, Nelly vs. Ludacris, and Gucci Mane vs. Young Jeezy have attracted millions of live-entertainment-starved viewers to VerzuzTV Instagram live streams.
In a statement announcing the deal, Triller executive chairman and co-owner Bobby Sarnevesht said:
We view this acquisition as more of a partnership than an acquisition, as Swizz, Timbaland, and the other 43 artists who are all becoming shareholders and partners in Triller Verzuz from this day forward become our voice. With this acquisition, Triller continues its evolution to be at the center of culture and the center of music.
Verzuz has also featured live chats with political leaders that include Stacey Abrams and current former senator and current vice president Kamala Harris.
Triller has positioned itself as an alternative to TikTok, and it saw a surge in popularity last summer when TikTok’s future in the United States was uncertain amid geopolitical wrangling between the Trump administration and China.
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