Diddy "Verzuz" Jermaine Dupri: 10 Must-Hear Songs

On September 8th, Diddy and Jermaine Dupri Verzuz will finally happen. This highly anticipated matchup between the two hitmakers has been a long time coming. Last year, the two went on Instagram Live to discuss a potential Verzuz-like event. Though Timbaland nor Swizz Beatz have confirmed the alleged battle, apparently it is taking place at Madison Square Garden.

In an Instagram post, the Bad Boy founder tells veteran rappers Busta Rhymes and Fabolous about the planned event. “September 8th at the Garden, n***a. We’re gon’ have you out the rafters flying out the sky,” he says enthusiastically. Since the Verzuz platform came out, fans have wanted to see who would come out on top between Bad Boy Records and So So Def.

This Verzuz event will be like no other. Fans always have their own songs that they want to hear. Diddy and Jermaine Dupri will perform 20 of their biggest hits to date. With two of the strongest catalogs in hip-hop, we've created a list of five songs from both Bad Boy and So So Def that we want to hear during Diddy-Jermaine Dupri's Verzuz battle. 

”It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)” should be considered a New York Anthem. With all artists hailing from different boroughs, Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, The L.O.X., and the Notorious B.I.G. created one of the most recognizable anthems in hip-hop history. Some would argue that it's the Bad Boy founder’s best song. From the star power attached to the record to the infectious production, "All About The Benjamins" is undoubtedly a definitive record in Diddy's illustrious career.

Puff Daddy is more of a producer than a rapper, but his verse on “It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)” is certainly a stand-out. In 2020, Jadakiss spoke to Talib Kweli on the People’s Party podcast where he detailed writing Diddy’s verse for the hit song. It reached the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the rap charts.

The East and the South combine for “Money Ain’t A Thang." At this time, New York's grip on Hip Hop was at its height, although Atlanta currently wears Hip Hop’s crown. ”Money Ain’t A Thang” is a feel-good song and the video matches the energy.

Like Diddy, Jermaine Dupri is a producer first, but his rapping skills are nothing to sleep on. With Jay-Z on the track, JD had to come with his best. Many thought The Blueprint rapper even wrote his verses for him, but the So So Def founder confirmed that he penned his own lyrics. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1999 Grammy Awards. It’s still considered one of Jay-Z’s best songs. ”Money Ain’t A Thang” embodies the late 90s Hip Hop sound. It’s no doubt that it's an important song in both artists’ catalogs.

Hip Hop shifted when The Notorious B.I.G. made “Juicy." Although hesistant to jump on the record, it's a good thing Biggie trusted Diddy's intuition. Diddy, alongside Poke of the Trackmasters, sampled the funk and soul group Mtume’s song “Juicy Fruit” for Biggie and the rest is history. Not only is the production fantastic, but the Brooklyn rapper’s lyrics are iconic. His rags-to-riches story details his ascent in rap, from reading Word Up! Magazines to sipping champagne when he’s thirsty. Almost 30 years later, "Juicy" remains a classic anthem that many would argue is the greatest Hip Hop song of all time. There’s no way Diddy doesn’t play this during the Verzuz.

To this day, “Never Scared” can be heard at any sporting event. From the production to the lyrics, you can feel the energy in the song. Jermaine The song features fellow Atlanta rappers, Killer Mike and T.I. ”Never Scared” is Bonecrusher’s biggest hit, marking his only entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number 26 chart, although its impact is everlasting.

"Never Scared" ultimately carried Bonecrusher’s debut album, AttenCHUN!, to number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts. Over the years, it's become a mainstay in pop culture, especially video games, such as Madden NFL 04. On top of that, the song is cemented in Atlanta's sports history ever since the Braves used it as their anthem in the 2003 MLB season. "Never Scared" stands as an iconic song in So So Def's storied history, even if Jermaine Dupri didn't produce the song.

Diddy's ability to weave through hip-hop and R&B effortlessly remains one of his strongest traits as a producer. On "I Need A Girl (Part 1), he delivered a quintessential 2000s R&B hit with the help of Usher and Bad Boy artist Loon. While both part 1 and 2 were incredibly successful in their own right, the former boasts an incredibly personal verse from Diddy that takes inspiration from his break-up from Jennifer Lopez.

”I Need a Girl (Part Two)” also achieved great success as it reached number four on the Hot 100. Not too many artists have had the opportunity to say that both parts of one song became top-five hits. ”I Need a Girl (Part One and Two)” are crucial to Bad Boy’s reign into the 2000s.

Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married” is a certified R&B hit but, the remix turned it into a classic Hip Hop record. The addition of Rev. Run from Run DMC fame gave the record a face-lift. The King Of Rock rapper's appearance was a surprising edition and made “Let’s Get Married (Remix)” a staple in So So Def’s catalog.

Though Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya Ear” received a Grammy nomination, the remix is more popular. ”Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” is one of the best posse cuts in Hip Hop. Craig Mack, Biggie, LL Cool J, Rampage, and Busta Rhymes make for a memorable collaboration. Diddy’s infamous intro to the song puts the Bad Boy stamp on it. It’s definitely one of the label's greatest hits, especially since it was included on Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary…The Hits album.

So So Def signed artists that captured eras in Southern hip-hop. Dem Franchize Boyz, for instance, became catalysts to the rising snap sound that informed the viral dance moves that came from the South. “I Think They Like Me” ft. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, and Bow Wow served as a remix to "Oh I Think They Like Me." With its infectious production, the record brings life through the speakers at every function while the “snap ya fingers” dance was an inevitable accompaniment to this song. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Rap Songs chart. The So So Def founder is behind many of Atlanta’s hits!

112 was an important part of Bad Boy’s success. In the early 2000s, they were one of the leaders in R&B. ”Peaches and Cream” added to their hit-filled catalog. This sexy song, produced by Diddy, makes you want to dance whenever it comes on. ”Peaches and Cream” falls in line with the rest of Bad Boy's records that make you move.

It’s clear Diddy specializes in making music like this. 112 was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal in 2002. ”Peaches and Cream” also reached the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It even stayed in the Top 40 for over six months! Another Bad Boy hit makes for one of the best records of the 2000s.

The Atlanta duo, YoungBloodz will be remembered for “Damn!” Jermaine Dupri executive produced the duo's album, Drankin' Patnaz but Lil Jon produced the hit single. Lil Jon’s energy can be heard and felt throughout the track. There was even a dance to this as you can see many people doing it throughout the video. ”Damn!” is YoungBloodz’s best song as it reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Many believe it is one of the best Hip Hop songs of the 2000s and in So So Def's catalog.

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