Wyclef Jean Explains Why Will.i.am Is The Only Artist He Wants To Do A "Verzuz" With

BY Erika Marie 5.9K Views
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Wyclef said there are "multiple reasons" why Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is the only artist he could see himself going up against on "Verzuz."

The Verzuz bug strikes again. It's clear that Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and their entire Verzuz team have a hit series on their hands, and we're sure that when they open outside back up for the U.S., we'll see a Verzuz tour roll out. Until that time, millions of music fans will just have to continue to tune into Apple TV and Instagram for their friendly battles, the next of which will host 2 Chainz and Rick Ross. During a chat with Talib Kweli for his People's Party podcast, Wyclef Jean revealed that he's open to doing Verzuz, and he has one particular artist in mind.

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"I was approached, definitely, and it's so funny, I have a freestyle that I did and then they took the freestyle and they put it on Verzuz," Wyclef shared. "I think, for me, the person who resembles me the most in the background with the studio that I fully know that they do is probably like, will.i.am. For multiple reasons."

Wyclef not only said that will.i.am was like a little brother, but Clef also added that he was responsible for producing one of Black Eyed Peas records before Fergie joined the group. "Will strategically was like that nerd like me," Wyclef added. "He's the guy behind the schemes so for me, he's incredible. For me it's more—it's not about hit songs or whatever. It's about the mechanicals, the little things that people don't see. I think they'd probably be shocked with the amount of information."

The Fugees icon recognized that people wanted to see him do a Verzuz with someone like Akon, but he said with an artist like Akon "we'd just be singing songs." With will.i.am, Wyclef said that viewers would "see how records are broken down and done." Watch his clip from the People's Party with Talib Kweli 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.