The Timbaland and Swizz Beatz-created #VERZUZ platform has become a cultural phenomenon of epic proportion.
Calling on some of music’s most celebrated to square their catalogs against each other, names like Monica, DMX, Jill Scott, Brandy, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Patti Labelle, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Gladys Knight, Alicia Keys, and many more have taken to the Web sensation to show off prized hits from their respective discographies in a ‘battle’ format.
A consistent ‘ratings’ winner, the popularity of the hit-for-hit showdown has seen music lovers call for their favorite acts to engage – requests that have been met with surprisingly mixed results as the likes of Chris Brown, Usher, and other big names have all declined invitations to compete (as we reported here).
A name consistently atop viewer wishlist is Toni Braxton – a multi-Platinum selling R&B veteran who boasts over 60 million records sold worldwide, over a dozen top 10 R&B hits, and a catalog lined with some of the genre’s favorites from the last 30 years.
When quizzed on if she’d partake in a diva duel with a worthy counterpart, her response got tongues wagging.
More inside:
Braxton – hot on the promo trail in support of her eighth solo studio album ‘Spell My Name’ (click here to read) – was featured in the latest issue of ‘Interview’ magazine via a profile curated by her ‘Do It (Remix)’ co-star Missy Elliott. Elliott – who is also among music stars who have been beckoned to participate in #VERZUZ – gauged Toni’s interest in toplining a battle.
While not totally against the idea, the 7x GRAMMY winner suggested she would consider it under a few conditions.
Excerpt from ‘Interview’ magazine:
“ELLIOTT: …I’m happy with Verzuz, because it allows people to see that, especially when the artist can say, “Hey, this person wrote this for me.” Because now we’re in a time where you’re not getting the hard copies to be able to see all the credits. That actually is good, because you get a chance to hear who did what. That’s what I love about it, too. Besides seeing legends get up there. I’m quite sure they called you. Look, you’re probably like, “Oh, no, I would have to do that segment DOLO.”
BRAXTON: Yeah, I can’t. I’m like, “It would have to be me, Mariah [Carey] or Mary J. [Blige] or something.” Us girls from the ’90s. But no, I haven’t put it on the register to do it yet.”
Click here to read Braxton’s full interview for ‘Interview’ magazine.
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Toni’s sentiment echoes that of her GRAMMY-nominated sister, Tamar Braxton, who took to press in August to indicate she would love to see a #VERZUZ-style battle between the ‘Un-Break My Heart’ hitmaker and Mary J. or Mariah (as seen above).
Fans excited by the prospect will need their hearts unbroken as Blige has already conveyed her disinterest.
As we reported here, Mary expressly stated ‘I don’t want to do it’ when asked about her desire to duel whereas Carey may be engaging on the platform in a unique manner (as we reported here). To date, this has not been confirmed.