It was an exciting week for Hip-Hop. Sunday culminated with a first-time Grammy win for Nas, a poignant second win for Anderson .Paak (as well as a show-stopping performance), and more. As many looked back at a year defined by the pandemic, the week also saw the acquisition of one of its greatest yields. From the onset of 2020, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz battle series became something to look forward to, an escape from reality, and real-time engagement for fans during a year where live music’s health was on life-support.

On March 9, Billboard reported that the Triller acquired Verzuz from Tim and Swizz. However, what made the deal groundbreaking was the two artist-producers opted to share the equity in the acquisition with the 46 creatives who had appeared on Verzuz over the last year. This list of recipients includes Hip-Hop heroes such as RZA, DJ Premier, E-40, Too Short, Ludacris, Lil Jon, DMX, Jadakiss, Mannie Fresh, Snoop Dogg, Fabolous, and others. Outside of Hip-Hop, icons including Patti Labelle, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Gladys Knight, Bounty Killer, 112, Beenie Man, Kirk Franklin, Teddy Riley, and Babyface are other recipients. The financial details were not disclosed to the public. However, no matter what, this move rewards and empowers the talent who gave Verzuz its value. Meanwhile, Swizzy and Tim’ will join the Triller Verzuz management team.

Swizz Beatz Reveals The Hidden Secrets He Learned At Harvard (Video)

On the newest episode of What’s The Headline, the Ambrosia For Heads team discusses this acquisition (at 30:56), the powerful gesture from Swizz and Timbo, and what the future may look like for Triller Verzuz—given legal hurdles, attention spans, and the state of the pandemic. The discussion also celebrates what made Verzuz so important (along with D-Nice’s DJ sets) amid a year that was also tragic in so many ways. Swizz and Tim’s integral roles are part of the conversation, as Triller squares up against TikTok with a new offering. This move happens as Hip-Hop Heads gear up for Raekwon “verzuz” Ghostface Killah this Saturday (March 20), available in all the usual places—with Timbaland and Swizz at the helm.

Teddy Riley, The Neptunes & Timbaland Recall Putting Virginia On The Rap Map (Video)

Here Is What Else Is Happening Of Note (as discussed in the podcast)

(00:01) Nas Wins His First Grammy After 30 Years Of Releasing Hip-Hop

(52:44) New Details Emerge Regarding The Murder Charges Against Kidd Creole of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

(1:00:50) A Discussion Of Recent Music Released By Oddisee and Benny The Butcher & Harry Fraud (embedded below)

A Portrait of Freddie Gibbs Atop the Mountain by Jeff Weiss (The Ringer)

Kidd Creole Tells His Side of The Story for The First Time Since Being Charged With Murder by Nass Metcalfe (The Source)

Ambrosia For Heads fans can catch regular discussions about the culture on our What’s The Headline podcast. Additionally, What’s The Headline has recent interviews with Pharoahe Monch, Prince Paul & Don Newkirk, Statik Selektah, Lyric Jones, The LOX, MC Eiht, Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Duckwrth, and Lord Finesse. All episodes of the show are available wherever you stream your pods.

#BonusBeat: AFH’s official playlist, featuring new music from Benny The Butcher, Oddisee, Phife Dawg, Redman, JAY-Z, Nipsey Hussle, Spillage Village, Dom Kennedy, Statik Selektah, Smino, Saba, AZ, Masego, J.I.D., Rapsody, Tobe Nwigwe, Royce 5’9, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Hit-Boy, Nana, Lyric Jones, Nas, 2 Chainz, REASON, Jack Harlow, and others.