Timbaland and Swizz Beatz sue Triller for £23million over ‘VERZUZ’ sale

Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have sued Triller for $28million (£23m) over claims of non-payment after the recent sale of their popular VERZUZ series.

VERZUZ is the popular entertainment series that pits producers, songwriters and artists against each other in a rap battle style format.

Kicking off in March 2020 after Timbaland and Swizz Beatz issued challenges to one another, artists that have taken part so far have included T-Pain, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Brandy, Monica, Rick Ross, DMX, Snoop Dogg, D’Angelo and many more.

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Last year, the rights for the series were sold to Triller, who livestream the events on their app.

In a new lawsuit seen by Billboard, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz claim that Triller owe them £23m and have been defaulting in previously agreed payments.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia on stage during their ‘VERZUZ’ battle. CREDIT: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

The suit goes on to claim that while the pair received payments as planned in January and April 2021, a payment that was due in January of this year has still not arrived.

A new payment plan was then reportedly agreed, but the money from that has still not come through.

Speaking about VERZUZ previously to NME, Timbaland said: “Well, it’s not really a battle – it’s a celebration of our heroes in music, the ones who make us feel a certain type of way. Given what’s currently going on in the world, it’s a way to give back.

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“It’s also an education, it’s educating people on the music, its creators and where this feeling comes from.”