Source: Theo Wargo / Getty
The highly anticipated (ain’t they all?) VERZUZ battle between Ludacris and Nelly went down Saturday night (May 16), and things didn’t go too smoothly. The latter was having wi-fi issues, which of course lead to jokes and slander, and when it came to the music, Dirty Mo didn’t have enough hits to keep up with Luda.
So while the Atlanta rapper set things off with JD’s “Welcome To Atlanta,” Nelly started with blaming the clouds for a bad Internet connection.
A lot of the criticism for Nelly was him taking too long to drop some of his biggest hits like “Dilemna,” featuring Kelly Rowland, and he didn’t hit “E.I” and “Hot In Here” until late in the IG Live. Meanwhile, Luda was hitting bangers like “What’s Your Fantasy?, “Saturdays” and his standout verse on Nas’ “Made You Look (Remix)” early.
Nelly didn’t help his cause playing tracks that were more personal favorites than club smashes. Like the OG Hip-Hop and Country mash up Seriously, Luda’s face below encapsulated way too many moments for the St. Louis rapper.
When it comes down to it, Luda’s clip of hits and club smashes have just aged better over time than Nelly’s. And we mean no disrespect, but the consensus is Luda won this battle, easily. By the time Luda was hitting joints like the Kanye West-produced “Stand Up” and the Neptunes-produced “Southern Hospitality,” it was a wrap.
Peep some of the reactions below and see, and remember, for yourself.
1. Hova approves.
During the Luda #Verzuz Nelly battle... Luda mentioned that Jay-Z told him he hadn't heard another rapper get that far into one pocket with a flow as Luda did in Ciara's “Oh”... peep the verse here:https://t.co/47aDE11buf
— GoodNightHarlem🎙 (@GoodNightHarlem) May 17, 2020
Luda detailed Jay-Z giving him props for his verse on Ciara’s “Oh.”
2. A tour?
Nelly: “We gonna do a Luda Nelly #Verzuz tour!”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 17, 2020
Luda: pic.twitter.com/1RfctM6KCU
Luda said he was down, but no one really believes him.
3.
These TWO KINGS shut it down. The culture won tonight. Thank you Nelly & Luda. It’s all love #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/Esvu8x1yAT
— Ayeesha Ibrahim (@AyeeshaIB) May 17, 2020
4.
As much as I love Dilemma by Nelly and Kelly, when Luda started playing Lovers and Friends it hit a sweet spot. #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/XkbjsEcRGi
— 🌹✨R_Le’Rose🌹✨ (@r_lerose) May 17, 2020
5.
Erykah Badu and Jill Scott = Wedding
— 🌹✨R_Le’Rose🌹✨ (@r_lerose) May 17, 2020
Teddy Riley = Reception
Babyface = Honeymoon
Ludacris = Club/Crunk
Nelly = Technical Support Team #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/8DJw6D53z6
6.
There’s a lesson in the #verzuz battle:
— Jasmine (@JasmineDaria) May 17, 2020
Love yourself just as much as Nelly loves his own music.
7.
Luda is the friend that was ready to leave but Nelly drove them there 😂😂#Verzuz pic.twitter.com/fKxqNYuMpD
— 🐺⚔️Mars⚔️🇯🇲 (@_Marz101) May 17, 2020
8.
Nelly waking up tomorrow post-come down seeing the internet calling him Nelly Riley #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/oveP3KTOC3
— Perfectly Imperfect (@shaniceexo) May 17, 2020
9.
Nelly Said Fuck The Hits Ima Play What I Wanna Play 😂🤦🏽♂️, I Aint Never Heard Some Of Them Records, I Was Confused. #NellyVsLudacris #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/X48BFLUv6q
— H.G.®️ (@TheFlyestEver_) May 17, 2020
10.
When everyone catches the person that helped Nelly choose his songs #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/hCZACNrRkR
— 🕊️‘Ä𝗹𝘁ē 🎋 (@FidoArtemisNewt) May 17, 2020
11.
*Bia Bia comes on*
— Hazel (@mizzhaze) May 17, 2020
Me: #verzuz pic.twitter.com/sFzN26n9wr
12.
I noticed that Ashanti was at almost every #Verzuz battle except for Nelly and Luda’s battle. pic.twitter.com/jHlV3oCJ8J
— 🌹✨R_Le’Rose🌹✨ (@r_lerose) May 17, 2020
13.
Again, Nicki Minaj bodied the niggas on they own track. “Get Like Me” is hers #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/cGGD8BJ6SS
— Pusha Bi. (@BiancaEnRogue) May 17, 2020
14.
Hol up, @KeriHilson wrote the hooks for "Pimpin All Over The World" AND "Runaway Love!??!" Just a reminder Keri is a bad one #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/FpNt4S6VDy
— DJChuckthEoLdSouL (@thEoLdSouLHFP) May 17, 2020
15.
Nelly every time Luda play a hit pretending his internet out again #LudavsNelly #verzuz pic.twitter.com/cC3NGs6Blu
— The Podcast Coach 🎙 (@shecametoplayco) May 17, 2020
16.
Nelly could've played Girlfriend with NSYNC and won the whole thing. Don't @ me. #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/OeQsfgJRBS
— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) May 17, 2020
17.
#LudacrisvsNelly #Verzuz Nelly had no chance ..Truth Be Told pic.twitter.com/EApA5ejVvf
— Claymore (@ClaymoreKwaram1) May 17, 2020
18.
LOOOOOOL this nigga Nelly played “just a dream” after Luda hit him wit “all i do is win” ???????? #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/wwPQaz3moI
— angel’s dust🌬 (@florezlaloca) May 17, 2020