It’s no secret that T.I. has been itching to compete in a Verzuz battle. Back in May, before he decided to challenge 50 Cent, he said he was willing to “go hit-for-hit” with anybody from his generation. Now, it seems he has found his match.
During a recent episode of “The Fat Joe Show,” Busta Rhymes said he wants to compete with the “Rubber Band Man” rapper.
“From one brother that loves you to my brother that knows I love him, I’m begging you to step in the ring with me,” he said in a message to T.I. “Let me tell you something. We gon’ do it with grace, but I’ma bust T.I. I’ma bust your ass. Come on T.I, let’s have fun. Let’s have fun T.I.”
T.I. later responded to Busta and respectfully turned down the challenge.
“Busta Rhymes is one of the most phenomenal talents of our time, man,” he said in an Instagram video. “Muthafucka’s catalog is thick. Catalog is thick! It just ain’t the same. I can’t go back right now and play goddamn Pop Warner football … we can’t reach back there. Might as well call out Melle Mel … [It would be like] Brandy against Dionne Warwick.”
He suggested that Busta go against Fat Joe or Twista as the generational gap between he and the “Make It Clap” star “might just be a little too much.” “I appreciate the consideration. I truly do, Busta. I appreciate your contributions to the culture. Got nothing but respect for you. I feel like me and Busta would be me calling out and saying ‘21 Savage, I want to see! Me and you, Verzuz!’” he explained.
T.I. has been adamant about wanting to go head-to-head with 50 Cent in a Verzuz battle. He’s taken to social media on several occasions in an attempt to entice the “Candy Shop” star into competing, but 50 has seemingly rejected him.
T.I. later expressed his belief that JAY-Z would be a better opponent for him, but doubted the Watch the Throne rapper would actually come to the Verzuz ring.
“Who can see [JAY-Z] sitting down doing a battle? If I’m a billionaire, I’m not finna do that, either, but me and 50 ain’t that far off,” he said during an interview with All Def’s “Roast Me.” “As far as our confidence, as far as our bankrolls go, we kinda neck and neck whether he wants to [admit] it or not. And another thing, it’s personality. I need somebody who has a personality that won’t be so intimidated by my bravado.”
50, on the other hand, seems more interested in having Snoop Dogg as a competitor. When speaking to Big Boy, he said, “It would make more sense catalog wise, me and Snoop. Cause we could compete every step of the way.”