Multimedia platform Verzuz, co-founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, has entered into a distribution partnership with Elon Musk’s X. The announcement was made by Beatz and Timbaland during an event in Cannes, France.
Under this new agreement, the Verzuz co-founders will retain full ownership and creative control of the platform, while X will have exclusive distribution rights. This means viewers can now watch the livestream series for free on X, which boasts over 550 million active users.
Earlier this year, Beatz and Timbaland reacquired Verzuz from their previous partner, Triller. They also retained their equity, along with the artists who participated in Verzuz, in Triller.
In a statement announcing the partnership, Beatz expressed his excitement, saying, “We are beyond thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz. Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world. I would like to thank Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith, and the entire X team for believing in the Verzuz vision. We can’t wait to get to work.”
Timbaland echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with X, the most innovative platform globally. Our goal has always been to bring Verzuz to the world, which we can now do bigger than ever.”
X CEO Linda Yaccarino added, “X is so proud to partner with trailblazing creators, artists, and entrepreneurs Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Our platform stands at the forefront of innovation, and Verzuz defines the essence of an innovative content experience. As we continue to work with the most exciting voices to bring premium content to X, there is no better fit than this series. Together we will redefine how consumers engage with their favorite entertainment, one Verzuz at a time.”
The last Verzuz battle featured R&B stars Omarion and Mario in Los Angeles in the summer of 2022. The event also included a pre-show with Ray J, Bobby V, Pleasure P, and Sammy, drawing over 5.1 million total viewers across various platforms.
Under its partnership with Uncontained Media, Verzuz has also produced shows like the Emmy-winning “Drive with Swizz Beatz.” Uncontained Media will continue to serve as the production company and executive producers of Verzuz.
Verzuz, which was launched during the pandemic by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, has quickly gained popularity by featuring battles between music producers, singers, and rappers. The platform has produced over 40 episodes, generating more than 100 million live views and over 70 billion impressions.
The new partnership with X is expected to expand Verzuz’s viewership and international reach. Viewers will now be able to watch for free exclusively on X.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have expressed their excitement about the partnership, stating that they are thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz. They are also excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, stated that X is proud to partner with trailblazing creators, artists, and entrepreneurs Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. She added that X stands at the forefront of innovation, and Verzuz defines the essence of an innovative content experience.
The announcement of the partnership was met with mixed reactions from fans. Some expressed excitement about the new partnership, while others were skeptical about the involvement of Elon Musk and the timing of the announcement.
Despite the mixed reactions, the partnership between Verzuz and X is expected to bring new and exciting content to viewers around the world. The next Verzuz matchup will be scheduled soon, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement.
In conclusion, the partnership between Verzuz and X marks a new chapter for the platform. With exclusive distribution rights on X, Verzuz is set to reach a wider audience and bring exciting new content to viewers around the world.
