Ne-Yo Weighs In On Recent "Verzuz": Omarion Is A Performer, Mario Is A Singer

BY Erika Marie 35.4K Views
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Ne-Yo
"Omarion got to use his whole body to get the same response that Mario can get with just his voice," said Ne-Yo.

Out of all of the Verzuz shows that have gone down since the online inception of the series, there hasn't been one talked about quite like that of its most recent R&B matchup. We've been steadily reporting on the ups and downs of the pre-show and main event that recently went down in Los Angeles with Ray J, Sammie, Bobby V, Pleasure P, Mario, and Omarion. There were takeaway moments that left viewers bewildered, verbal jabs that got a tad uncomfortable, and off-key singing that made for memes.

However, while chatting with The Cruz Show at the BET Awards Content Hub over the weekend, Ne-Yo discussed the Verzuz, and while he could see the humor of it all, he seemed disappointed in the execution.


"I was there. I was in the house, I was there," he said, adding there was no way he was taking to the stage. "But the first part of the show, man, I just feel like that was an opportunity for it to be a real moment for R&B and cats kinda got in they feelings a little bit and turned in into something other than R&B. It was weird."

"And then the main event, a performer versus a singer—I'm sorry, a performer versus a sanger—the performer's always going to struggle, especially if you don't sang your damn self, you know what I mean?" He clarified that he loves Omarion, but doubled down that in this particular Verzuz element, Mario had the better chops. 

"Omarion got to use his whole body to get the same response that Mario can get with just his voice. That's the difference." Ne-Yo made sure to state once again that he has love for all of the Verzuz performers but insisted there was a clear winner.

Watch Ne-Yo share his thoughts below.



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.