Photo Credit: Leon Bennett via FilmMagic
Swizz Beatz Announces 'Verzuz' Will Still Be on Instagram After Fans Balk at Subscription Model
Amid controversy that the next installment of Verzuz will see a subscription charge, Swizz Beatz went to Instagram to clarify the rumors.
Verzuz is extending Valentine's Day into Tuesday, with R&B crooners Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild going head-to-head tonight at at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. However, on Monday, the show drew concerns after an Instagram post on Verzuz announced that the show wouldn't be available on Instagram and that only fans with a "#TrillerVerzPass" subscription will be able to tune in.
"THIS VERZUZ WILL NOT BE ON IG. Watch on VERZUZTV.COM with the #TrillerVerzPass (LINK IN BIO to sign-up for a 14-DAY trial)," the original caption said.
Fans took to social media to voice their disappointment with the show going into a paid route, noting that performances had been free for viewers to watch for two years.
\u201cWe\u2019re fighting inflation and #Verzuz expects us to pay for a battle that\u2019s been free for 2 years? During Black History Month?? Please hang it up.\u201d— Shantae (@Shantae) 1644900668
\u201cThe beginning of the end for Verzuz is when they started putting Ciroc and Doritos everywhere. Trying to brand and sponsor everything. I\u2019m not paying to watch Verzuz when I can just play one of these playlists I\u2019ve made.\u201d— Reid (@Reid) 1644893663
\u201cLMAO YOU GOTTA PAY?????\n\nBaby, this is DONE.\u201d— Your Fave. (@Your Fave.) 1644893285
\u201c- pay for Verzuz? during Black History Month?\u201d— Rob Milton (@Rob Milton) 1644893575
Now, Swizz Beatz, part owner of Verzuz, is clarifying the situation. The super producer went to Instagram to post an update of his own, claiming that he was "out the country" and didn't see the initial post. He also said that fans will be able to watch the Hamilton vs. Soulchild concert on Instagram.
The sold-out matchup will be held tonight at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. It will also be the first Verzuz of 2022, the last performance being held in December when Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia nearly came to blows at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. According to Sports Illustrated, the platform will also expand into the sports world, with Bleacher Report and Verzuz having an All-Star Weekend event dedicated to Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady.
To watch tonight's show, which begins at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET, viewers can head to the official Verzuz website, the Triller app or Instagram Live.
