Before Timbaland and Swizz Beatz sold Verzuz to Triller, Apple was interested in acquiring the music battle platform, Bloomberg reports.

Apple was apparently in talks with Verzuz’ founders in regards to purchasing the company outright. While a deal was formed last July allowing the live-streamed music events to appear on Apple Music and Beats 1 simultaneously with the Verzuz Instagram platform, the tech giant declined to engage in a bidding war. However, Apple’s streaming deal ended once Triller bought Verzuz.

Bloomberg states Apple did make an initial offer but it was lower than what Triller ultimately paid to purchase Verzuz. Had a deal been reached Verzuz would have expanded Apple Music’s fledgling social component. Swizz and Timbaland have not confirmed whether they spoke with Apple execs in regards to a deal, however they have defended their decision to sell their company.

In March, when “Power” actor Michael Rainey Jr. accused the Verzuz founders of being “sellouts,” they responded in the comment section of a Hollywood Unlocked post. “But we own Triller,” Swizz wrote, followed by a laughing emoji. “We own everything. Tell who done that,” replied Timbaland.

As REVOLT previously reported, Swizz and Timbaland will serve as brand visionaries on Triller’s Verzuz management team. They are also “larger shareholders” of the platform they started last March and have designated a portion of their equity “to the 43+ artists who have performed on the Verzuz stage.”

Some of hip hop and R&Bs biggest stars have showcased their music in head-to-head showdowns since its inception. Raekwon, Ghostface, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Ludacris, Nelly, Neyo, T-Pain, Lil Jon, Too Short, E-40, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Alicia Keys and John Legend have all made an appearance in the series. Bow Wow and Soulja Boy are expected to face-off later this year. Timbaland and Swizz’ rematch will take place Sunday (May 30) live from Miami at 8pm ET.