Ashanti vs. Keyshia Cole Verzuz Recap

1.25.21

Ashanti, Keyshia Cole Verzuz Battle 1.21.21

Last Thursday, the highly anticipated Ashanti vs. Keyshia Cole Verzuz battle went down after being rescheduled not just once - but twice. The original battle was scheduled for sometime in December, but was postponed once Ashanti came down with COVID. Then, in early January, there was an another rescheduling due to COVID protocols and the Verzuz team recommending that the battles take place in two separate locations once again. Keyshia has since mentioned that she also tested positive for the virus leading up to the show, so there was a lot going on with this one. It was not the smoothest battle, but the ladies delivered nonetheless.

Everyone knows the Verzuz battles begin at 8PM EST, however, this one got off to a late start. Some fans were quite angry while waiting over an hour for Keyshia Cole to arrive on set to the battle. Now, the featured artists never go on right at 8PM. Typically, each of their DJs get a little time to go through a set, and they usually gear up around 830. However, Keyshia did not show up to the battle until a little after 9PM. After the battle, we found out that Keyshia had actually tested positive for the virus shortly prior to the event, and was not able to have rehearsal with the Verzuz crew before hand. With that, there were numerous sound trouble on the day of the Verzuz battle, which resulted in her late appearance to the show. She was clearly distraught about being so late, as when she showed up she sat down and immediately stated, “I don't know who all's attending because at this point, we running way too behind.” (I’m not going to lie I was not mad at it, because I was working late and because of the delay, I did not miss a thing! Do not blame Keyisha, blame me. She knew I was waiting for this day)

So, it did seem as though there was a bit of tension in the air. Ashanti tried to be overly positive, and Keyshia did show a lot of love to Ashanti’s hits through out the night. Still, there were a few tiffs here and there. Keyshia surprised everyone by bringing out OT Gensis as a special guest upon performing her hit single Love. The two encountered a previous beef, when OT remade the song in a super off-beat tone, and had some words to say about Keyshia and her family. Keyshia explained that they had squashed their beef, and that OT had apologized multiple times. It appeared the two were having a great time together. When Ashanti recognized this and said “I’m glad you too are all good because -” Keyshia cut her off and told her to watch what she would say. Ashanti replied “It’s all love, it’s all love” and we moved on.

After round ten, the ladies wished to take a break. Coming back from break, Keyshia wanted to go first, but Ashanti had thought that, by the number of rounds each has gone so far, it was her turn. They went back and forth quite a bit here, which is the moment where people really got wound up not knowing if something bad would happen. However, they seemed to quickly move on, and continued to jam to each other’s songs. Then at the end - the infamous Ciroc statement. Keyshia showed loved to her fans and sponsors at the end of the show, and asked who else she should thank. When someone said Ciroc, she replied, “Ciroc didn’t give me any check!” Everyone laughed, including Ashanti who then said “They gave me one!” Hilarious in the moment, but interesting. A check for the battle, or a prior endorsement? I cannot imagine Keyshia was happy with this comment.

I also cannot imagine Keyshia was happy with Ashanti being on her phone during her performances. Or chatting with her team the whole time. Keyshia song to Ashanti’s songs here and there, she repeatedly gave her flowers for her hits, and when you think about it, she would probably have agreed that hit for hit, Ashanti won the battle. However, I was just waiting for Keyshia to tell her DJ to stop the track and say “we’ll wait til Ashanti is done with her text, must be important.” Especially when Keyshia played her new song, which is due to drop February 15th. Many times throughout the battle, Ashanti would move to the side and ask questions or chat with her team. And spent a whole lot of time on her phone, when it was not her turn. She seemed to be very poised and encouraging throughout the night, but this is just a little off putting.

While the execution of the night was not perfect, the ladies still brought the hits, and the magic was in the air when the music was playing. Each lady has catalog full of classics, amazing features and legendary samples. They put you in your feels, they made you feel powerful, and if you are anything like me - you had one of the most fun nights of quarantine dancing and singing the night away in your bedroom. Billboard scored the battle Ashanti 12, Keyshia Cole 10 which includes three ties. Here is a breakdown of how the hits matched up, and how I am scoring them, in my opinion. I do not do ties.

Round 1:  Keyshia Cole’s “I Changed My Mind” vs. Ashanti’s “Happy”

We already know Ashanti did not come to play. She starts off strong with one of her most popular hits, feel good, positive energy. We are in for a lovely night of music.

WINNER: Ashanti 

Round 2: Keyshia Cole’s “I Should Have Cheated” vs. Ashanti’s “The Way That I Love You”

Keyshia gets deep on us, and this will not be the last time throughout the night. But she continues to state things that we all go through in life, that could relate to the song she is going to play next. I Should Have Cheated, something you should never do, but probably have thought about in the past when you were faithful to someone who did not have that same energy with you. A favorite from her catalog. We are at 1-1 after two.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 3: Keyshia Cole feat. Lil Wayne’s “Enough of No Love” vs. Ashanti’s “Don’t Leave Me Alone”

Our first feature of the night in round three - Lil Wayne! The ladies are some of the best in the game, and their features logs will showcase this. They shared love to all their partners throughout the night that were featured on the tracks they played, which I thought was really cool. I love a love song with a rap verse to close it out. Keyshia takes this one. 

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 4: Keyshia Cole’s “Shoulda Let You Go” vs. Ashanti's “Rock With U (Awww Baby)” 

It is only round four and this hard. No cap at all, these are my favorite tracks from both ladies. I am still fully jamming to both of these tracks daily since the battle. They are classic, will never get old, and just feel so good. I’m going to go with Ashanti just because, it is more upbeat and less heartbreak. I try to keep it positive in my life.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 5: “I Remember” vs. Lloyd feat. Ashanti’s “Southside” 

This is going to be the first time that I switch up on Billboard’s opinion. I think it depends on what we are judging on. Keyshia Cole killed her performance of Southside, indeed. Really, she did for all of her songs. She mentioned so many times how she wish she could stand up and move around with the mic, but the set up would not really allow that. Each of the ladies had to remain seated, but they gave it their all in their performances, and are so insanely talented. I love a good Lloyd song, and Southside just brings that positive, link up in the summertime vibes. Maybe someday we’ll get to do that again.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 6: Diddy feat. Keyshia Cole’s “Last Night” vs. Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule’s “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix)” 

Oh, the energy is really in the room right now. Keyshia is jamming, and clapping her hands to her massive hit with Diddy. A true classic that we would all be standing on chairs and clapping with her if we were all in the crowd at a concert in the same room. But Ashanti just matches that energy with her Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule hit Ain’t It Funny. I love each of these tracks, but in my eyes the Ashanti and Ja Rule hits cannot be beat. Therefore, I have to go with Ashanti again.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 7: 2Pac feat. Keyshia Cole’s “Playa Cardz Right” vs. 2Pac feat. Ashanti and T.I.’s “Pac’s Life”

Billboard scores this round a tie, and I get it. Each lady brought out their 2Pac hit. Both amazing tracks, paying homage to the late, great. They both expressed how much of a blessing it was to have received the chance to work with 2Pac before his untimely passing. Both tracks are dope, not to mention I love T.I., but I am going to have to go with Keyshia on this round. They each got different sides of 2Pac in their tracks, both amazing, but Keyshia’s just hit stronger emotionally, which I feel like is where we are going with this one. I love T.I’s verse in Pac’s Life, though. I said I would not give ties, so I was forced to choose.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 8: Keyshia Cole’s “Love” vs. Ashanti’s “Rain On Me”

Love is one of Keyshia’s most notorious songs, and recognized by a multitude of different generations and genres in the music industry. The song dropped in 2005, and over a decade later, was remixed by OT Genesis, in a way that more of a joke than a celebration. The two had some beef after this, but since had regrouped and made up. Keyshia brought OT Genesis on set with her as a special guest, who surprised everyone when he ran up her right as she was about to sing her chorus. This lit up the mood by a million. She absolutely takes this round.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 9: Keyshia Cole’s “Trust and Believe” vs. Irv Gotti Presents The Inc. feat. Charli Baltimore, Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Vita’s “Down 4 U” 

Keyshia has another stellar performance. If you came to tonights battle ready to get in your feels, you got what you wanted, no doubt about it. Ashanti follows it up with an Irv Gotti classic with a number of friends on Down 4 U. This is the anthem when you are just ready to make it official with your man, in the smoothest, most confident way.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 10: Keyshia Cole’s “You’ve Changed” vs Ashanti’s “Runaway” 

This is another round where Billboard scores as a tie. I think it is a great match up. Sometimes the artists songs they play in the same round are completely different and hard to score because it really depends on what vibe you are going for. These two tracks are completely on par with each other. They compliment each other quite well. They are both great, but this is Keyshia doing Keyshia at her best, she takes this round.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 11: Keyshia Cole’s “Heaven Sent” vs. Ashanti’s “Baby”

I was almost hoping that Ashanti would sing her chorus in DaBaby’s Nasty, just to showoff a little bit of her still hanging around making great music in this new generation of music. She did not, but the chorus in which she sings takes inspiration from her classic single Baby. I love this track, and it comes from one of my favorite Ashanti projects. However, Keyshia Cole fans know, you cannot compete with what is Heaven Sent. And this track, truly is.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole 

Round 12: Ashanti’s “Only U” vs. Keyshia Cole’s “Brand New”

Ohhh I can’t wait to get next to you, ohhh. The ladies go head to head for their “sexiest song.” While they’re both on top in that category, we have got to give this round too Ashanti.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 13: Fat Joe feat. Ashanti’s “What’s Luv?” vs. Keyshia Cole feat. Monica’s “Trust” 

This round pains me. It goes back to how the two songs match up to one another. Keyshia Cole and Monica is the duo that every female or hopeless romantic needs in their life. This song is incredibly beautiful, and Keyshia continues to lay it all out there in her performances. However, Ashanti and Fat Joe’s What’s Luv is pure classic jam for every single mood. It would be nearly impossible to beat this on my list.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 14: Fabolous feat. Ashanti’s “Into You” vs. Jaheim feat. Keyshia Cole’s “I’ve Changed”

I’m so into now, I wanna be more than a friend to you now. Ashanti shouts of Fabolous before sharing another smash hit single Into You. You cannot help but belt out your vocals and sing along to another classic. Keyshia does her thing with another beautiful it, but Ashanti is just killing it.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 15: Ashanti's “Movies” vs. Sean Paul feat. Keyshia Cole's “Give It Up to Me” 

Ashanti says she used want to be like those girls in the movies, but she is. That was a power move for her single Movies. What is funny is this could have paired up with plenty of Keyshia’s other hits when the energy was on different levels. But since she kept it for late, Keyshia pulled up with her Sean Paul featured classic. Give It Up To Me, essentially unstoppable. Keyshia takes round 15 as we head into the late rounds.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 16: Ja Rule feat. Ashanti’s “Mesmerize” vs. Keyshia Cole feat. Missy Elliott and Lil Kim’s “Let It Go”

Noooooo do not make me pick. I said I would not pick a tie but. These are definitely up there for my other favorite songs from each lady. Ashanti and Ja Rule songs are my absolute favorite, but if there is anything that could beat it - it has got to be Missy, Kim and Keyshia. I’m giving it to the ladies for the female empowerment, and the vibrating positive energy. But I am going to go ahead and say that this is the only song on the playlist that would beat Mesmerize. Well played Keyshia, well played.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 17: Ashanti's "Foolish" / “Unfoolish” (feat. The Notorious B.I.G.) vs. Keyshia Cole’s “Never” 

Round 17 includes a feature and a sample each from late legends of the game. Keyshia does her thing, including a feature from Eve. However, the Foolish/Unfoolish hits are just too good and real to ever be beat.

WINNER: Ashanti

Round 18: Ashanti’s “Breakup 2 Makeup” vs. Keyshia Cole's “You Complete Me” 

Billboard ties this round again. The do have the same energy again, but Keyshia’s chorus of this track is just legendary. It speaks volumes to her catalog’s contents, and her insane vocals. The ladies were belting this one from their living room couches. Keyshia takes round 18.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 19: Ashanti’s “Don’t Let Them” vs Keyshia Cole feat. Remy Ma and French Montana’s “You” 

Keyshia Cole does come through in the late rounds with one of her more recent hits, from Remy Ma and French Montana. If you guys were watching from Instagram Live, you probably say Papoose going off in the comments with flames emojis since his lady got a bit of a shout out here. I was truly obsessed the each lady has incredible vocals, but rapped all the rap verses from features in their tracks as well. They truly came to play and do not mess around on any shot business, even though they share their whole hearts in their content. Keyshia rocked it this round.

WINNER: Keyshia Cole

Round 20: Ashanti’s “Always On Time” vs. Keyshia Cole's “I Don’t Wanna Be In Love With You”

The end of the battle gets a bit shaky again. The ladies are not quite sure if it is the final round, if Instagram is going to cut them off, or if they will have time to play their new records. Ashanti shares one of her highest ranking classic hits of all time. Keyshia, unaware of the time she will have left or how many songs she has done, shares her new hit single I Don’t Wanna Be In Love With You, which is set to release on February 15th.

WINNER: Ashanti

Overall Scorecard:

Ashanti 10

Keyshia Cole 10

Guys, I said I would not pick ties. I went round by round and chose who I thought won, without being ties in each round. It just ended up this way. Though it was a bit messy, I was absolutely in love with the whole thing. I am still listening to the cheat sheet days later. The ladies rocked it, all in all.