The Grand Hustle rapper, but he says it probably won’t happen and likens the battle to “Brandy against Dionne Warwick.”
T.I. has responded to Busta Rhymes’ challenge to put their catalogs up against each other in a Verzuz battle.
On Tuesday (October 20), Busta was on Fat Joe’s Instagram Live show to discuss his career and music ahead of the release of his new album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, at the end of this month. While speaking to Joe, a “Joprah” moment transpired. Busta made it known that he’s seriously jockeying for placement on season two of Verzuz and put T.I. in his crosshairs.
“T.I., it is intriguing to me that you have such a concern with New York emcees. I want to understand what that’s about,” he mused. “From one brother that loves you to my brother that knows I love him; I’m begging you to step in the ring with me. I’ma bust your a**.”
Joe could not believe what he was hearing. Busta’s comments sent him into a screaming fit. Busta continued. “Let me tell you something. We gon’ do it with grace, but I’ma bust your a**. Come on, T.I, let’s have fun.”
Regaining his cool, Joe predicted that Busta would be hearing from T.I. “expeditiously.”
“I know my brother,” Busta reasoned. “This is why I have to say it this way because T.I., he don’t play no games. He don’t sugarcoat s**t and he’s not no f***ing half-stepper.”
Sure enough, it didn’t take long for the word to spread to T.I., who hopped on Instagram Live less than 24 hours later to make his thoughts on the potential match known. While he was honored by the consideration, the Grand Hustle chief didn’t feel that Busta was a good match for him personally.
“I respect all call-outs” Tip began.
However, he felt that there’s too much of a generational gap between their respective careers for it to make sense. He likened it to a battle against two R&B vocalists, both great in their own right. He said it would be like “Brandy against Dionne Warwick.”
The Atlanta rapper tossed out suggestions of other highly-respected emcees that would make more sense for Busta to share the Verzuz mantle with, including LL Cool J and Twista.
“And, it ain’t no respect. I got an exponential amount of respect for you,” Tip clarified. “Busta is one of the most phenomenal talents of our time, and the catalog is thick. It just ain’t the same.”
“I salute and respect Busta a whole lot,” he continued. “I just think the generational gap might be just a little too much. Actually, Busta and Fat Joe wouldn’t be bad. You were on the Fat Joe show. Y’all was right around the same [era].”
The rap mogul went on to give a shout-out for Busta’s forthcoming album.
“We gon’ figure it out. I appreciate the consideration, though. I truly do, Busta. I thank you for all of your contributions to the culture. Got nothing but respect for you,” he said.
Towards the end of the livestream, Tip noted “I picked who I thought was my best shot.”
Previously, he singled out 50 Cent as a potential competitor and even hinted at a potential match between the two of them in a recent interview with Complex.
He went on to add, “Everybody keep saying me and Young [Jeezy]” as fans have been calling for a match between the two Atlanta trap trailblazers.
“But if Young wanted this smoke, he’d say it,” he finished.
Well, that settles the situation. At least, for now.