On Saturday, May 9th, over 700,000 people watched the Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott “Verzuz” live, for two hours on Instagram. Although the actual event was intended to be a metaphoric music battle of hit songs, created by producers, Swizz Beats and Timbaland, the event showcased the sisterhood between Grammy-award winning singer-songwriters, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. “Verzuz” caused a serendipitous outpour of love between the two singers, and those of us who watched. For the 1 billion impressions it made, the event was more like a “lovefest” than a “battle.”

I posted more comments during this IG Live than any other event, previously. (Posting live comments during D-Nice’s “Club Quarantine” comes in at a close second.)

Why? Because, it was monumental for Music, for Hip Hop and for Sisterhood. Hip Hop is a culture. Sisterhood is essential for a culture to exist. Without sisterhood, there lacks trust, truth, balance, empowerment, flow and true connection. Sisterhood, is like a steady beat that moves the culture.

History was being made right before our eyes. Here we were, over 700K people online – in real time, on Instagram, watching Erykah Badu and Jill Scott be the DJ’s of their own songs, during the historic COVID-19 stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders.

We were witnessing history because we were watching two Queens of Neo-Soul music, listen, sing and dance to each other’s songs, from our mobile phones. At a time when we couldn’t leave our homes, we embraced technology and took part in a much-anticipated and since talked-about, virtual music event – one of the most unifying and culturally-defining moments I’ve ever experienced.

Highlights of the Erykah Badu vs Jill Scott “Verzuz” on Instagram Live

Songs like “Danger” by Erykah Badu and “Crown Royal” by Jill Scott, garnered immense engagement during the live stream. People expressed their excitement and other emotions with crown, fire, heart and mic emojis. Singer, Alicia Keys commented, “Lawwwwddddd!!!!!!!” with three heart-eyes emojis, during Scott’s sultry and sensual song, “Crown Royal.”

Listen to “Crown Royal” by Jill Scott (snippet)

The song ignited a fiery yet loving request for Scott, from actress, Taraji P. Henson, during an episode of “Hot Ones” on You Tube. The actress looked directly into the camera and asked Jill Scott to extend the song to 10 minutes. Watch below.

The Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott “Verzuz” was a special moment in time. As viewers, we watched our favorite artists go from larger than life to two black women loving on each other and supporting each other, for all the virtual world to see. They were accessible and vulnerable. We saw their true sisterhood, their mutual respect and their admiration.

People will be talking about the “Tyrone” moment for quite some time. It was the few minutes where Erykah Badu lost connection to her live stream, just as she was about to play her 1997 hit R&B single, “Tyrone.”

I’ve seen both Erykah Badu and Jill Scott live in concert and have all of their albums. Their award-winning songs have helped to birth the woman and songwriter in me. I’ve endured everything from gut-wrenching pain to blinding love with their albums. “Baduizm” by Erykah Badu was released in 1997 and will remain a staple in my lifetime, along with her subsequent studio and live albums.

I remember having a listening party with friends, for Jill Scott’s debut album, “Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1” in 2000. Her words, lyrics, and melodies changed my life and cemented my love for her neo-soul sound.

The collaborative gift that we were given last Saturday night, is one that I believe, will keep on giving. I personally plan to fully embrace the high vibration that was the Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott “Verzuz,” flipping the feeling in real life, in real time, all the time.

I can’t wait to go to an Erykah Badu and Jill Scott concert, LIVE – in person. See you there.

Support these Queens!

www.baduworldmarket.com

www.instagram.com/erykahbadu

www.bluesbabefoundation.org

www.instagram.com/missjillsott