The official Verzuz Instagram recently revealed that the next matchup would take place on October 17 in New York City. While it was initially only hinted at the two participants via silhouettes, social media quickly identified them as KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane.
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Both artists have acquired legendary status in Hip-Hop culture.
KRS, as a member of Boogie Down Productions, famously defeated MC Shan in one of the earliest rap battles in history with the iconic tracks “South Bronx” and “The Bridge Is Over.” Both of which appear on the Hip-Hop classic Criminal Minded. After gunshots killed fellow BDP member Scott La Rock, KRS shifted his approach to a more socially conscious sound and dropped numerous hits, including BDP’s By All Means Necessary and his solo debut, Return of the Boom Bap. While never a mainstream artist, KRS has been one of rap’s most consistent figures. In late 2020, he released his 15th solo album. The timely titled, Between Da Protests.
Kane is a rapper’s rapper who influenced the entire generation that followed. His lyrics, flow, and showmanship made him a standout among his contemporaries. In addition to his talents as a rapper, he is also noteworthy for introducing the world to a then-unknown rapper from the Marcy Projects named Jay-Z. While he capitalized on his playboy image and appeared in Playgirl magazine and Madonna’s Sex book, his skills never waivered (see the incredibly underrated Looks Like a Job For…). However, his public persona did, at times, overshadow his output as an artist. And while he hasn’t released a proper album since 1998, many often still cite him as one of the greatest. Currently, he is working on a Netflix documentary called Paragraphs I Manifest.
