The 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards broadcast on Tuesday (October 10) saw Timbaland and Swizz Beatz being honored with the Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award.
The hip-hop icons were present to claim the prize for their creativity and cultural contributions to hip-hop. Timbaland said at the start of their acceptance speech, “I always dreamt I’d be on stage accepting an award in hip-hop. I never imagined I’d be here when I was performing music in Virginia, yet here I am.” My brother and I made something wonderful, and it’s still going on.”
Swizz backed up Tim’s assertions and concurred that Verzuz was far from done, pointing out that they still had a few tricks up their sleeves. “We once again possess Verzuz, as Tim predicted. We took a brief break, but we’ll return strongly and demonstrate to you that it wasn’t only for the pandemic,” Swizz stated.
The announcement didn’t come as a surprise to many because both Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have been dropping hits on various platforms and in interviews.
In an interview with Billboard, Swizz Beatz hinted that Verzuz was going through a restructuring process. “What we’re doing right now is taking the first half of the year to reorganize,” he explained. It grew to such a size that we had to redesign our processes, our movements, and our relaunch strategy. We think it’s so special that when we come up with what we’re about to come up with, people will understand my and Tim’s choices regarding how to go as business owners and creatives. And maybe it will serve as a guide for others on how to proceed,” said Swizz Beatz.
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Earlier this year, Timbaland also teased that the much-loved concert series’ new roster would delight fans and that he would bring back the music battle platform. The renowned producer assured the public that they would get what they desired sooner than they anticipated in an interview with AllHipHop.
After its March 2020 launch, Verzuz has held historical contests between the LOX vs. Dipset, Beanie Man vs. Bounty Killer, Anthony Hamilton vs. Musiq Soulchild, The Dream vs. Sean Garrett, Mary Mary vs. BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Isley Brothers vs. Earth, Wind, and Fire, Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, Mario vs. Omarion, and more.