When pioneering producers like DJ Premier and RZA, Ne-Yo and Johnta Austin, and Lil Jon and T-Pain went head-to-head in recent days by playing some of their most impactful songs in battles on social media, in more normal times, it may have answered the hypothetical question many music fans have asked throughout the years: Who is the better beat-maker?
But for Swizz Beatz and Timbaland -- Grammy-winning legends in their own rights -- hosting a friendly competition while fans and artists are homebound due to the coronavirus was about giving back to the people. “We don’t really like to use the word ‘battle’ -- although it’s natural to say battle when two people are playing songs with each other.