Swizz Beatz Responds To Backlash for Implying Janet Jackson Lacks the Hits to #VERZUZ Battle Missy Elliott

Published: Tuesday 15th Sep 2020 by Rashad

In what has become standard fare since the #VERZUZ platform skyrocketed into popularity, its creators – Timbaland and Swizz Beatz – follow each battle with a reflection on the previous duel and discuss who would be great prospective match-ups for future showdowns.

Such was no different Sunday, September 13 as the culture collectively celebrated revisiting the prized discographies of the latest combatants Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle.

Yet, while the two producers were on the “wind down,” they discussed and later disagreed that longtime friends/collaborators Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott would be a good pairing – with Beatz even insinuating Jackson did not have enough hits to compete.

Needless to say, the suggestion sent the Pop Queen’s fans on the attack – a string of events that led Swizz to social media Tuesday (September 15) to clarify yet double down on his original statement.

See what we mean inside:


As seen above, Timbaland (born Timothy Mosley) argued in favor of a Janet/Missy match-up while Beatz (born Kaseem Dean) argued otherwise.

While shaking his head at Mosley’s belief the musical showdown would be an opportune pairing, Dean suggested Janet’s catalog – which boasts 27 Hot 100 top 10 hits (including 10 #1s)  – lacked enough umph to be compared To Elliott’s as she is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer.

As Jackson’s supporters launched into a two-day tirade by slamming Dean on his social media handles for his insinuation, he took to Instagram to defend himself earlier today.

As seen in the caption accompanying the post, Swizz said:

“FYI what I mean by better person! I mean a person that fit the vibe better !!!!”

At writing, Jackson has not responded to the hoopla.  Missy, on the other hand, did not support Swizz’s assertion.

[photo source: Getty Images]

Your thoughts?

Comments 46

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Jay jay September 15, 2020

    Janet vs Madonna would be a great match up IMO

    • Lanafan1 September 15, 2020

      True!

    • Derek September 17, 2020

      Janet Jackson vs Paula Abdul

  2. #WAP September 15, 2020

    Swizz ruined alicias career, now he’s trying to ruin what little of a career he had left…

    #FreeBritney

    #FreeBritney

    #FreeBritney

    • 🍭marilyn monh-O-E🍭 September 16, 2020

      F-U/c-k Britney👎👎👎

      • 🍭marilyn monh-O-E🍭 September 16, 2020

        I 💗 💗 💗 Britney. #FreeBritney

  3. Tamar+Her September 15, 2020

    He didn’t lie…

    Janet is a non motherfucking factor. All she does is whisper and she’s FORGOTTEN.

    • Clarks0o0ñ September 15, 2020

      Gurl, dont u ever disrespect janet like that. I love missy

      Janet is oscar nominated.

      Both missy and janet are two different artists and have zero similarities

    • Lmfao_Hoe September 15, 2020

      You must be out your damn mind Janets legacy speaks for itself and she has proven she can sing. She may not be Whitney or Mariah but her voice is also beautifully sweet and mellow to listen to * goes to play – Come Back to Me, Lets Wait Awhile, I Get Lonely, Anything, China Love, Someday is Tonight, and That’s the Way love goes

    • Vibe September 16, 2020

      I’m sure got hits to back up your non existent career

    • Misty Knight September 19, 2020

      It’s the 11th Commandment: Speak ill of Ms. Jackson, die with forks in your eyes. It’s in the bible, and no, not the vocal bible. That burnt up in a car crash.

  4. Interac September 15, 2020

    Missy verzuz Pharrell!!! They can both play their records and records they’ve produced/wrote for others.

    • Lmfao_Hoe September 15, 2020

      That’s genius and with a new twist to the entire event 💯💯💯 smh honestly if R Kelly didn’t ruin his own career he would’ve been on top with his and the works he’s done for other with legends – MJ, Whitney, Janet, Celine, Ronald Isley, Aaliyah etc smh 🤦🏽‍♀️

  5. Nikka September 15, 2020

    DUHHHHH

    Janet & Beyonce

    Missy & Pharrell

    Done and done.

    • Lanafan1 September 15, 2020

      Nah, Beyonce vs. J.Lo or Britney Spears would be better!

  6. Lmfao_Hoe September 15, 2020

    Beyonce Vs. Rihanna and I kid ya not me and a friend who is an absolute Hive did our own segment and I believe Rihanna would give Bey a good run.

    Crazy in Love ft Jay Z VS. Umbrella ft Jay Z
    Halo Vs. Diamonds
    Flawless /Bow Down Vs. B**** Better Have My Money
    Irreplaceable Vs. Take A Bow
    Run The World Vs. Only Girl in The World
    Partition Vs. S** with Me
    Check On It Vs. Rude Boy
    Dance For You Vs. Watch N Learn
    Party ft Cole Vs. Don’t Stop The Music
    Naughty Girl Vs. S&M
    Listen Vs. Unfaithful

    • FMcL September 16, 2020

      This !!!

    • Interac September 16, 2020

      These songs are the perfect match up.

    • Adina…+Adina…+Say+Adina September 16, 2020

      That… would be phenomenal. Perfect list

    • SuxMyCockiness September 16, 2020

      Nope, It just wouldn’t be an even matchup. Beyoncé has a larger fan base and she still has all her Destiny’s Child hits. I’m a Navy but even I know Rihanna wouldn’t have a fair chance. Beyoncé fans don’t really know how to be unbiased.

    • A&R September 16, 2020

      Bey and Rih would definitely break the whole internet but your list needs a slight revision lol

      Crazy in Love ft Jay Z VS. Umbrella ft Jay Z
      Halo Vs. Diamonds
      Flawless /Bow Down Vs. B**** Better Have My Money
      Drunk in Love Vs Pour It Up
      Irreplaceable Vs. Take A Bow
      Run The World Vs. We Fond Love (how could you not mention this?!)
      Baby boy Vs. What’s My Name
      Check ON it Vs. Werk
      Dance For You Vs. Kiss It Better
      End of Time Vs. Where Have You Been
      Video Phone vs Rude Boy

      • Lmfao_How September 16, 2020

        Omg I knew I forgot something 😭 – WeFound Love and yes you did the revision best

  7. Pat September 15, 2020

    It was like Janet turned him down before or something.

    • Lmfao_Hoe September 15, 2020

      Girl I wouldn’t be surprised…

    • eric September 16, 2020

      LOL!!

  8. 1988 September 15, 2020

    Rhythm Nation…”is the only album in the history of the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart to have seven commercial singles peak within the top five positions”.

    Respect a Queen. 🙂

  9. MG September 15, 2020

    Janet has over 20 Top 10 global hits alone. Not to mention, over 40 top 40 hits, dozens of Unreleased hits, along with crazy B-side Hits. SB is Dilusional.

  10. Keith September 15, 2020

    Janet vs Missy is not a good match up, and I love them both. Madonna is the logical choice (but thank GOD that will never happen) vs. Janet. Beyonce is not Janet’s peer as she is a different generation and Rhianna is her logical peer. Missy vs. Pharrell would be good, though…

  11. 🍭marilyn monh-O-E🍭 September 16, 2020

    How about Michael Jackson (original) Vs Michael Jackson (the bleached one)??? 😂🤣😂🤣

  12. Shayla Queen 👑 September 16, 2020

    You better get yo whole LIFE together before coming for the legendary Miss Janet Jackson! Love Missy for what she said!

  13. tyty September 16, 2020

    You don’t need to be a genius to read between the lines he clearly ain’t feeling Janet for whatever reason. Weirdo needs to stfu and stop ruining Alicia career while his at it. Big nosed p****

  14. Jackx September 16, 2020

    Janet vs Mariah Carey or
    Janet vs Toni Braxton

    • 🍭marilyn monh-O-E🍭 September 16, 2020

      Khia vs lil Kim or lil mo vs lil bow wow, lil Jon vs lil Wayne, lil dicky vs lil thang

  15. Adina…+Adina…+Say+Adina September 16, 2020

    That would be a good matchup, but DEFINITELY not bc Janet would have an issue… I mean… she is MUTHA to most of your favs… but because they have different styles, completely different types of discographies, etc. now… TIMB and MISSY would be a good matchup… I know a lot of their work coincides, but they have enough apart from each other to make that a good battle

    • Adina…+Adina…+Say+Adina September 16, 2020

      Wouldn’t *

  16. Fancy BISH September 16, 2020

    You can’t put Missy with that has-been Janet.
    Janet would be better going up against a foreign singer as you would need subtitles to understand them both.

    • Vibe September 16, 2020

      Like the subtitles you need for yourself to be understood. Janet is awesome and phenomenal. Take a listen when you turn up your hearing aid without the static. Missy you are great as well. Supa dupa fly

    • Shayla Queen 👑 September 16, 2020

      This is not Fancy BISH! She would NEVER come for Janet

      • Oh plz September 17, 2020

        BISH like you know the ladyboy in real life.

  17. stan September 16, 2020

    janet jackson lacks the hits?

    JANET? JACKSON?

    lmfao, what a joke.

  18. cory September 16, 2020

    That is so weird. I’m sorry!

    Missy Elliott zero #1 Billboard 200 albums
    Janet Jackson 7 #1’s Billboard 200 albums (third most in history for women)

    Missy Elliott zero #1 Hot 100 Singles
    Janet Jackson 10 #1 Hot 100 Singles

    Missy Elliott 9 top 10 Hot 100 Singles
    Janet Jackson 27 top 10 Hot 100 Singles

    Missy Elliott 3 #1 R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
    Janet Jackson 16 #1 R&B/Hip Hop Singles

    Missy Elliott 2 #1 Dance/Club Play Singles
    Janet Jackson 20 #1 Dance/Club Play Singles

    Janet Jackson:
    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
    mtvICON Award
    BET Icon Award
    Billboard Icon Award
    American Music Award of Merit
    World Music Award Legend Award

    Let’s not forget: Janet ranks #3 of all-time for WOMEN despite releasing less albums than Madonna (#1) and Mariah (#2). https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/hot-100-turns-60/8468088/hot-100-turns-60-top-60-female-artists-all-time-madonna-mariah-carey-janet-jackson

    Missy ranks #56.

    WEIRD WEIRD WEIRD!

    • Jj September 16, 2020

      Best comment

  19. Brian September 16, 2020

    This makes me realise how smart Timberland is. Firstly, Janet and Missy are frineds, that means chemestry for the vz battle. Secondyly, Janet and Missy have a couple of songs together, which i think should be featured and evenly split out across the vz playlist. Thirdly, both are great with dance hiphop beats, this actually could work.

  20. Lee September 16, 2020

    The Verzuz battle was suppose to be a good thing for our culture, to hear one of the creators Swizz Beatz insult the legendary Janet Jackson is sad, not interested anymore, we always have put each other down. Swiss Beatz do your damn homework on Ms Janet Jackson.

  21. Ropeburn September 16, 2020

    Janet is at some undisclosed location in London right now not givin a damn about no #Verzuz battle or Swiss Cheese’s ignorant ass. But real talk, a Missy vs Janet match doesn’t make sense at all. They are VERY different artists working in different genres. Plus, they didn’t even debut around the same time. Janet hit her prime well before anybody knew Missy’s name. The closest matchup would be Madonna. I would say Jody Watley but she didn’t make it past the early 90’s so her catalog ain’t big enough.

  22. Puh-leeeeeze September 17, 2020

    Timberland was being messy and Swizzy stepped in it. Janet vz Missy is not a good match up because 1) Janet as an artist has more hits than Missy as an artist, songwriter, and producer 2) These are two different musical styles Missy is more known as a rapper 3) Missy vz Lil Kim would be a better matchup…. Swizz Beatz just used the wrong choice of words is all….

Recommended Posts
..**