DMX has revealed who he would take on in a Verzuz battle.
During his virtual appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast, N.O.R.E. asked X who he would want to battle on Instagram Live and he replied, “Jay.” The podcast hosts asked whether or not the “How’s It Goin’ Down” rapper meant JAY-Z.
“Yeah! Who you think, nigga?” X said. “There you go. That would be battle No. 3.”
Before their rise to fame, JAY and X met up in the Bronx to battle. Footage of the battle was taken, but there was only video of JAY’s verses. Declaring the winner of that friendly encounter has been a constant debate between both parties.
During the “Hard Knock Life Tour” in 1999, the two were able to battle once again. Fans were able to see footage of this in the 2000 documentary, Backstage.
The two MC’s went on to become leading artists at Def Jam. Eventually, their relationship began to drift apart. X threw shots at the 4:44 rapper because he felt like he didn’t do enough for artists at Def Jam, while he was the president.
During a 2016 interview on “The Breakfast Club,” the Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood rapper said that he was open to mending his relationship with JAY.
“Of course it could happen,” he said. “As strong as I am, to walk around holding anger, it wears you down. I don’t got time to be mad at nobody, man. Unless there’s a situation right here, right now, then, you know. Even then, it ain’t a whole bunch of talking about it. Whatever we gon’ do, let’s get to it and get past it. But to hold on…I’m mad at him because of this…It wears on you and I got too much other shit to focus on.”
Later that year, both artists settled their differences and were seen together backstage at Beyoncé’s “Formation World Tour” in East Rutherford, New Jersey. DJ Khaled brought X out to perform as a special guest.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have been able to pull off some impressive matchups for Verzuz such as RZA versus DJ Premier and Babyface versus Teddy Riley. This Saturday (May 9), Erykah Badu will go head-to-head against Jill Scott in the first female Verzuz challenge.
Who do you think would win in a Verzuz battle between DMX and JAY-Z? Check out the interview below.