Verzuz was the most exciting event in hip-hop during the pandemic. However, Summer Jam held an unforgettable battle in 2007 between super producers Swizz Beatz and Ye, formerly Kanye West.
The two titans clashed in a traditional beat battle before a sold-out crowd inside Giants Stadium. Both stars were conquering the charts that year with Swizz Beatz’s One Man Band and Ye’s Graduation. Hip Hop fans would argue who was the better artist.
Swizz Beatz initiated the battle as Ye came on stage to a roaring crowd. Welcoming a challenge, Swizz Beatz approached Ye and said, “You know what I do, we can get it poppin’, I’m with whatever.”
Ye replied, “Ya’ll know I’m from Chicago… but I can do that New York sh*t too.”
The stadium erupted as each artist performed their signature hits back-to-back. Timbaland would eventually approach the stage and join the battle with a few of his chart-topping hits. Fans often rewatch the battle on the Hot 97’s YouTube channel.
One YouTube user commented, “KANYE WOULD GET HIM NOW!!!!!!!”
Another user believed that Swizz had bigger hits than Kanye in 2007, as he wrote six years ago, “Swizz has more danceable musical beats while Kanye has more soulful and relaxing beats at least that is how they started out nowadays there flavors are all over the place.”
“jay-z was the true winner,” said one user, while another claimed Swizz Beatz the winner, “Yup…Swizz Won The Battle…. But Its 2013 I Would Like To See A Rematch.”
Swizz Beatz has talked about the epic battle a bunch of times. In 2020, Timbaland and him put together this viral competition called Verzuz for one-on-one battles to celebrate hip-hop. Some of the standout battles were Nelly vs. Ludacris, Jeezy vs. Gucci Mane, and Mario vs. Omarion.
Swizz Beatz Vs. Ye is one of the many unforgettable moments in hip-hop that occurred on the Summer Jam stage.
Hot 97 celebrates Summer Jam’s 30th anniversary on June 2 at the UBS Stadium. Hosted by Hot 97’s Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, Laura Stylez, and Nessa. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.