Bay Area, Yay Area! The final Verzuz battle of 2020 pit E-40 and Too Short head to head on Saturday (Dec. 19). Estimated to be the most expensive Verzuz yet, it pulled out all the stops on production. Hosted in a San Fransisco studio, the set included a giant Circo logo, Oakland and Vallejo street signs, and old school custom G-rides to capture that authentic Oak-town feel.
To get the virtually tuned-in fans ready for the show before the rappers hit the stage, two DJs spun records that represented the best of old school vs. new school West Coast vibes that were true to “All of the Bay. All the cities. All the genres.” Some tunes included Goapele “ Closer,” “93 Til Infinity” by DJ Che’, “Pimp Of The Year” by Dru Down, “Excuse Me” by Mozzy and more. Celebrities like Kehlani, Bun B, Nick Cannon, OT Genisis, DJ Carisma, Big Boi, Ray J and others tuned in to show love to the icons.
Check out the best moments of E-40 and Too $hort’s Verzuz below!
1. Iconic Samples
Tonight’s Verzuz was a hip hop history lesson for the youngins. Some of today’s most recognized club anthems are samples from these two GOATs. “Freaky Tales” by Too Short lends way to Yo Gotti’s “Rake It Up.” “Captain Save a Hoe” by E-40 was sampled by Three 6 Mafia and “Shake That Shit” are staples in the culture, and have survived over two decades in the game just like the artists who first made them famous.
2. Nate Dogg Tribute
“Nah, Nah…” by E-40 was a moment to salute hip hop’s “King of Hooks,” Nate Dogg, who died in 2011 of congestive heart failure. The late OG’s voice was one of a kind and his contributions to the West Coast sound is incomparable. This moment was necessary.
3. Learning The “E” in E-40 Stands For Earl
Hearing Too Short call E-40 by his government name was entertaining to some viewers. By the end of the night, fans were calling 40 “Uncle Earl” Too Short was taunting him, saying, “Talk shit, Earl. Diddy said talk shit!” By the time 40’s Earl Stevens wine hit, he was in his bag and talking his talk.
4. The Bay x The South
The moment Too Short and E-40 shouted out southern artists like Lil Jon, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti and more for recognizing the two Bay Area rappers as influences in their music was beautiful. And E-40 and Short have love for the south right back. “Snap Yo Fingers” went to another level entirely once 40 slid on the remix.
5. The Bay Area Geography Lesson
Fans went crazy when Too Short shouted out every city in The Bay. He and 40 shouted out all the rappers from each spot in a dope moment of solidarity. He even showed love to the sistas and said women from The Bay are “Wifeable Material.” “These athlete niggas be marrying the fuck out these Bay Area bitches,” Short said.
6. The Hyphy Sound
Go stupid! The Hyphy sound of the evening is a lit way to end one of the wildest years yet. “Function,” “Candy (Drippin’ Like Water),” and “Tell Me When to Go” still moves the crowd like they did the first time we heard them. The high energy and positive vibes made the night feel more like a kickback than a battle — a Bay Area party live streamed and shared with the world.
7. The Tupac Tribute
E-40 said Tupac is the greatest rapper of all time when he played 1995’s “Dusted N’ Disgusted” featuring the late polymath. The late rapper was a prolific speaker, actor, poet and hip hop luminary, which E-40 respected.
8. The Puff Daddy Moment
“The World Is Filled…” from The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death album featured Too Short and REVOLT’s chairman Sean “Diddy” Combs, who went by Puff Daddy when the track came out. The 1997 project was Biggie’s second and final album, which was released 16 days after his death.
9. Too Short Taking Shots At Steph Curry
Pulling rank, Too Short proved he was more famous than NBA champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. He taunted him, “Your coach brought me a jersey” as he held up a Steve Kerr signed “Oakland Forever” Warriors jersey. He then put it on and wore it for the rest of the live stream to really rub it in the baller’s face.
10. E-40 Flexing His Billboard Entries
Who has the most Top 40 Billboard entries in hip hop? E-40 flexed his success when reminded us that forgetfulness comes along with cranking out so many party anthems. The artist said this right before he highlighted his fire Gucci leather jacket with the canary yellow G’s to match his knit cap.
11. Encouraging Georgia to Vote
Not forgetting that Georgia has important runoff elections for the Senate coming up on January, 5, 2021. E-40 and Too Short reminded their fans who were Georgia peaches to head to the polls when the time comes and make their voices heard. encouraged “Listen to me, it’s important to vote,” Short said.
Runoff elections are held when no candidate wins the required majority of votes, and this election will decide who controls the Senate, and ultimately how much President-elect Joe Biden can accomplish.
12. Mac Dre Love
They couldn’t have a Bay Area celebration without salutes to hip hop pioneer Mac Dre. Short and 40 kept paying homage to the Vallejo music producer who was killed in 2004. The late trailblazer recorded more than a dozen albums since his 1984 debut and is credited for influencing the hyphy movement.
13. The Confirmation Of A Too Short, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and E-40 Album
When they released their joint album, Ain’t Gone Do It / Terms and Conditions, this past week, we knew we were in for a bop or two. But, when Short confirmed the “Mount Westmore” album — a joint project coming from Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40 and himself, the prayers of West Coast hip hop lovers were answered.
14. E-40 and Too $hort’s Duets
Whether it was “Bitch” featuring 50 Cent or “Rapper’s Ball” featuring K-Ci from the hit 90s R&B group Jodeci, hearing the two Bay Area icons on the same track is always a divine moment.