Timbaland & Swizz Beatz Win Cultural Influence Award, "Verzuz" To Return: "We’re Gonna Come Back Strong"

BYZachary Horvath442 Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 - Show
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 03: In this image released on October 10, 2023, Timbaland (L) and Swizz Beatz (R) speak onstage during the BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 3, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic)
We cannot wait for more epic "Verzuz" battles.

The 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards were another success, which is no surprise given the fact that it has been airing for 17 years. So many fantastic artists and producers were in the house for the evening and there were plenty of great moments throughout it. One of which was Timbaland and Swizz Beatz taking the hardware for the Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award. They are the third winners of it, with it debuting back in 2021. It is great recognition for these two iconic producers who have been pushing hip-hop music forward for decades now. Both gave their sincerest thanks to the fans during their speeches.

Billboard shared some quotables from Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. Timb got things started, "I always dreamed I’d be on stage accepting an award about hip-hop. Doing music back in Virginia, I never thought I’d make it, but I’m here." However, besides being appreciative and humble about the win, he had more to share. "Me and my brother created something special, and it ain’t over. Black-owned, Verzuz, me and Swizz Beatz. I’m glad to share this with my brother."

Timbaland And Swizz Beatz Accept The Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award

We heard some rumblings earlier this year about a third season, but it seems to be closer to returning. Swizz repeated a similar message. "We own Verzuz again. We got quiet for a minute, but we’re gonna come back strong and show you what it is. That wasn’t just something for the pandemic; that’s something for the world." With plenty of legends showing up to their show in the past and the news about a new format, this is shaping up to be epic.

What are your initial thoughts on Timbaland and Swizz Beatz winning the Rock The Bells Cultural Influence Award? Are you excited for the return of Verzuz? Do you think it will be an improvement over the previous format? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, as well as the rest of the music world.

About The Author
Zachary Horvath is one of the Music Freelance News Writers at HotNewHipHop and has held that title since August 2023. Prior to this position, he held another freelance gig covering local high school football, girls and boys varsity basketball, in addition to recapping Cleveland Cavaliers games remotely. He's taken the previous experience and used it to become a jack of all trades at HotNewHipHop. Zach has thoroughly enjoyed tackling some of the trending topics in sports, with a larger focus on hip-hop and pop culture. Some of those include Bronny James's draft stock, a multitude of angles swirling around the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, as well as Diddy's arrest and lawsuits. Separate from the headlines that everyone wants to hear about, he was fortunate enough to help spread Zaytoven's current thoughts at the time around mid-December in 2023. Even though being able to give his expertise on these stories is fulfilling, being able to share his passion for releases trumps that ever so slightly. Having the chance to express his excitement indirectly about what he thinks our readers should be checking out/revisiting grows his passion for writing that much more.
...