One of the best things to come out of 2020 was the Verzuz battles. And, as our luck would have it, it turns out to be the gift that keeps on giving. R&B legend D’Angelo has announced on his Instagram that he’s got next. What better way to close out Black History Month than by celebrating with D’Angelo and… friends.

Here’s what we know about the D’Angelo Verzuz battle.

What is Verzuz?

Verzuz is a virtual showcase celebrating music’s biggest contributors. Founded by mega producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, according to CNN, their mission is simple: bring people joy in the midst of Covid-19. But, not just anyone can be a part of this new phenomenon.

While in conversation with Vibe, Swizz said the rules are simple: “You gotta have 20 joints.” And that’s not up for debate. He said he gets phone calls for people who don’t qualify, which must be an awkward conversation. But if you ain’t ready for battle then you simply don’t measure up.

Who is D’Angelo going up against?

The D’Angelo Verzuz battle is a bit unorthodox, to say the least. Typically, two musicians or producers go head-to-head to play their best songs. However, this battle is charting new territory. According to Rolling Stone, the battle will take place at the historic Apollo Theatre and will showcase a range of different artists.

Our D’Angelo Verzuz wishlist

Since this announcement feels like NeNe Leakes holding a peach and inviting her “friends of” to a spin-off show of RHOA, we decided we wanted in on the action, too. We’ve curated the perfect lineup for everyone to enjoy.

Sisqo

Fewer people had more promise than the “Thong Song” singer. And while we all loved Dru Hill, solo Sisqo was definitely a moment for us all. We’d love to see him step into the ring and queue up “Incomplete”. While it’s not on the level of D’Angelo’s “How Does it Feel,” it would be a nice vibe for the culture: Two R&B singers who, at the peak of their success, went head to head for major awards and ran the R&B charts. Who would win? Probably D’Angelo, as he took the crown for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and he has a more impactful solo catalog. Still, we think this is something we deserve.

Joe

Hear me out. 20 hits? No. But R&B singer Joe could easily pull up, offer a handful of songs, and pass the mic to the next artist. As a kid, my mom would run the cassette back on “I Wanna Know,” and while I was extremely annoyed, Joe’s voice is undeniable. In my grown years, I’ve since developed a fond appreciation for his music and even his more recent songs sound better than most of the R&B we hear today. Sooo…let’s invite Joe for at least three songs?

Musiq Soulchild

Need I say more? Musiq Soulchild easily deserves a seat at this table. “Love,” “Half Crazy,” “Buddy,” I mean the list goes on and on. He would definitely be an ideal “friend” of the D’Angelo Verzuz battle.  We’d all be rocking side to side, reliving the memories of failed relationships and heartaches past. It would be a showdown between two R&B kings whose memorable voices and love songs still get us through today.

Tyrese

It’s unlikely Tyrese would ever get an invite to a Verzuz on his own (just being honest), but his impact on the culture is worth celebrating. While he’s successfully crossed over into being Hollywood’s leading man, we can’t forget meeting him on that bus, crooning and serenading a “Sweet Lady.” Throw in a couple more of those hits and, folks, we have a battle. Tyrese could easily contribute a solid five songs here. And no, we’re not talking about Tyrese, Tank, and Ginuwine. Solo Tyrese will do. Thanks!

Montell Jordan

Montell Jordan could very much be a welcomed change of pace. His uptempo catalog could not only keep things pushing right along but it could also serve as a great reminder of some of his deep cuts. I mean, we know what he better play, but one of the best parts of Verzuz is when an artist plays a B-side favorite along with an untold story. I’m here for us giving Montell a solid three songs for us to bop to.

The big event

Whoever they choose, this event has the potential to be one of the most interesting battles yet. The unknown factor could draw in millions of viewers, and depending upon who’s on the list, this battle could be one of the most versatile and memorable ones yet.

The D’Angelo Verzuz battle will be going down on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. EST (which means they won’t actually start until about 9:30 😂) If you’re interested in checking it out, here’s the Verzuz link.

Who would you like to see added to the  D’Angelo Verzuz and friends line-up?