“More Caribbean Verzuz On The Way,” But Some Jamaicans Haven’t Forgiven Ludacris For Saying This
Ludacris is all for it after Verzuz promoters hinted that there will be more Caribbean artistes featured on the hugely popular webcast series. However, some Jamaican fans still have not forgiven the American rapper for comments he made after Beenie Man and Bounty Killer’s clash on the platform.
The Verzuz announcement, made on International Reggae Day on Wednesday, has been met with much delight by Jamaican nationals, who are still basking in the euphoria of the Beenie Man versus Bounty Killer battle in May.
Happy International Reggae Day 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 Taking it back to @kingbeenieman x @grunggaadzilla who lit up the Caribbean that night 🔥🔥🔥
PS. More Caribbean Verzuz on the way!! 👀 pic.twitter.com/bMihDtImN3
— VERZUZ TV (@verzuzonline) July 1, 2020
“Happy International Reggae Day. Taking it back to Beenie Man x Bounty Killer who lit up the Caribbean that night… PS. More Caribbean Verzuz on the way!!” Verzuz wrote in a Tweet which featured a clip of the clash between the two dancehall icons.
Beenie and Bounty, who have been the only two Caribbean nationals to be featured, provided a thrilling showcase that reached more than 3.7 million people globally, according to Verzuz. A Billboard poll and a recent Verzuz survey, both ranked their clash as the clear favorite among all the clashes so far.
The clashes, which were started in March by producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, provides a platform for musical icons from various genres who have a catalog that consists of at least 20 hit songs, to square off musically, hit for hit live online.
Beatz, during an Instagram Live on May 26, suggested that Jamaican artistes Ding Dong and Elephant Man could be next up for the Verzuz stage, in what would probably be a high energy Dancehall dance battle.
“We ready for you and ele. That’s the energy package,” Beatz said to a smiling Ding Dong who joined him on the Live.
On Wednesday, some fans continued to heap praises on The Doctor and the Grungadzilla, and called for the next clash to be between Sizzla and Capleton or Shaggy and Sean Paul, while those from Trinidad, clamored for Soca artistes to be featured.
Ludacris Reacts
There was an uproar, though, when Ludacris posted Jamaican flags and strong-arm icons, under Verzuz’ Instagram post, apparently in a show of recognition. The American rapper has not been in many Jamaicans good books after he made unsavory statements about the island following the Beenie-Bounty clash.
The unforgiving Jamaicans on the post, still seething over Ludacris’ jest that their country was the ‘murder capital of the world’, turned on him like harbor sharks.
“@ludacris. Sorry, you still get a side-eye from me with your #murdercapital #forgivebutidontforget,” glamgrl16 wrote.
She was supported by ladygcube75, who added: “Me too. Bad mind to r__s…he needs to check facts first before him speak but him too bright an chat foolishness #KMT”.
Ludacris was also rebuked by other users like lesasoundz, who said the rapper’s statements were a blatant attempt to downplay the accomplishments of the dancehall veterans out of sheer jealousy because he and his American compatriots were incapable of putting on anything close to the stellar performance of Beenie and Bounty. “@ludacris didn’t this hater talked about Jamaica in the worst way? He can’t believe two artists from such a small country are biggest artist than he his. GTFO with your comment,” he declared.
Dreondeck also chimed in, adding: “true ting…. bout murda capital… mek him run weh… fool dat.”
Ludacris had made the comments to comedian Affion Crockett in a video clip that had been circulating on Instagram, to the effect that Jamaica was the ‘Murder capital of the world’.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlffJaHzbn/?utm_source=ig_embed
“I don’t know what you all just paid Bounty Killer and Beenie Man… I am just hopin that you all (did) because that’s the murder capital of the world. You gotta pay dem motherf__s, or they comin for your neck,” he had said at the time.
The Act a Fool artiste’s comments back then had also fuelled an online onslaught as the Caribbean country’ nationals came out in their numbers to give him a piece of their minds.
Some said it was Ludacris’ own country which was the murder capital of the world ‘especially for black men’, and so that was where he should direct his focus.
Jamaica is ranked third, behind El Salvador and The US Virgin Islands, among countries for intentional homicide victims per 100,000 people, according to data from the UNODC.