Gucci Mane Verzuz Jeezy: Recap

11.20.20

Jeezy VS Gucci Mane Verzuz 11/19/20

Last night, history in hip-hop was made. Rap beefs happen every other day, but none are quite as long-lasting, and deep-running as that of Gucci Mane and Jeezy. If you do not know, the two were close, about two decades ago. Things got heated between the two, and they have absolutely hated each other, for fifteen plus years. Somehow, Verzuz pulled off the unthinkable, where both talents appears live, together in the same room, to go back-to-back in a hit battle of their musical catalogs.

Gucci Mane was originally scheduled to go against T.I. However, about a week ahead of schedule, Verzuz announced a rotation in the scheduled, where Jeezy would be Gucci Mane’s new opponent - for T.I., we’ll have to wait and see. This was pure madness to all, because Gucci Mane and Jeezy in the same room is unthinkable, and quite frankly, could be dangerous.

The two have a past, where they did once make hits together. There was some kind of a fight over who would put their breakout hit on their own album, and things continuously escalated from there. These two, have physically tried to harm, and potentially kill each other in past events. Everyone has served time, lost friends, and went through serious trauma due to each other. Where you want the two to come together and make up, especially after fifteen years, there are just some things that time cannot heal.

However, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland made it happen, one night only, legendary live event in ATL. For a while, I was wondering if both of them would even show up. What was happening backstage beforehand? Well, the two arrived on schedule, and there was an instant sense of beef. Gucci Mane was cutting off everyone who spoke. He opened out the night with a brand new Jeezy diss track, and had several more up his sleeves. On the other hand, Jeezy sat in his chair, looking nearly asleep for every single Gucci Mane performance.

There was one instance where the two stopped the music and had a conversation. Jeezy was calling out Gucci for all of his talk, and seemed like he was maybe trying to reconcile something for a moment. Gucci Mane responded that they agreed to keep it G, and that is what he was going to do. Gucci Mane’s new song, The Truth, literally talks about Jeezy’s friend who lost their life in the midst of their beef. There was some fire there, for sure. Still, I noticed each other head bobbing just a bit when each other played their true hits and classics, which of course ran heavy.

The ending was something magical. Before the battle, I thought, maybe they’ll be cool and we’ll get some good stories. Well, that did not seem to be the case until the very, very end. The two began to chat again, when it seemed like things may actually start to go left, they dropped the next track - So Icy. Each artist performed it with energy and, honestly, smiles. There was no hug at the end, but they did say that it was all love, and went to the same afterparty.

So, who won the battle, you want to know? Here is the track list, and how I rated each round.

Round 1:

Gucci Mane: Round 1
Jeezy: Intro

Out of the gates, Gucci Mane comes out with a Jeezy diss track. This is Round 1 of Gucci Mane vs Jeezy, he would say in the chorus of the hit. It was sketchy, for the chorus. A shock factor, absolutely. But song wise, I am picking Jeezy for round one. There is nothing like an Intro to jam to.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 2:

Gucci Mane: Bench Warmers
Jeezy: Trap or Die [ft. Bun B]

Gucci entered round two with an old track, clearly meant to push the buttons of Jeezy. He pointed fingers and sang right at Jeezy’s face, saying he had no money, he is a representation of his father, who wished he had a daughter, you know the song. It was all just a big mess. Jeezy managed to keep his cool, though did not get up from is his chair for a moment to acknowledge there was someone singing at him. Maybe Jeezy could already sense that if the battle would continue to go this way, there is no way Jeezy would loose, since he continued to play classics. Trap or Die featuring Bun B is one of those. We are in Jeezy’s prime here, and he also takes round two.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 3:

Gucci Mane: I Think I Love Her [ft. Ester Dean]
Jeezy: Standing Ovation

Round three Gucci got on to the song, songs. I Think I Love Her is a hit from 2015, which he actually recently has repurposed the same beat on his new project with the New 1017, on the track No Luv. I like the track, this was Gucci Mane when he was getting ready to leave jail. Which makes sense, as the beat is so creepy. It is pretty cool he could make it into a hard hip-hop song, when you probably would anticipate it in a horror film, instead. However, Jeezy came with an anthem. Standing Ovation from 2005 is Jeezy declaring his spot in hip-hop history, and he is definitely doing the same in this moment during his Verzuz battle.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 4:

Gucci Mane: Plain Jane [ft. Rocko]
Jeezy: Gangsta Music

Winner: Jeezy

Round 5:

Gucci Mane: I’m a Dog 
Jeezy: Bottom of the Map

I’m A Dog might be one of the most annoying hooks on a track of all time. However, this is was something that we took and loved from Gucci Mane. Finally, some good old Gucci from the early 2000s, exactly what we were hoping this battle would be. Jeezy pulls another from Thug Motivation 101, but Gucci had a real hit with this one, and takes his first W so far.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 6:

Gucci Mane: Vette Pass By [ft. OJ Da Juiceman]
Jeezy: Jeezy the Snowman

Round six and things are beginning to get tough between the two. Nothing like a Gucci and OJ The Juiceman club track to really get the party started. I mean this song really wants to make you go crazy and throw all your money in the air, then pick it back up quicker than you’ve ever moved, because you need that. Jeezy the Snowman is iconic to Jeezy fans, as the ‘Snowman’ persona really came to life with this track, and will remain for the remainder of time. However, we are going for hits here, so I need to take Gucci and OJ.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 7:

Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars, Kodak Black: Wake Up in the Sky
Boyz in Da Hood: Dem Boyz [ft. Diddy]

I had thought that Jeezy would come back with Leave You Alone after Gucci Mane went with his three time Platinum Bruno Mars record. However, he kept it G with his Boyz in Da Hood and Diddy record. Either way it would have gone, I am going with Jeezy for this round. Wake Up In The Sky is a new radio hit, which Gucci kept pressing Jeezy for not having. However, I am going with the raw heavy hits for this head to head. Has to be Jeezy with this round.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 8:

Gucci Mane: That’s My Hood
Jeezy: Let’s Get It/Sky’s the Limit

This could be just me, but That’s My Hood is one of my favorite old Gucci Mane songs. Off of Gucci’s first true project, Trap House, it all started here. East Atlanta will forever be on the map, and Gucci Mane will continue to do everything in his power to ensure that him and his city are forever running the hip-hop industry. Jeezy tells a similar story with his choice of track for round eight. He definitely spoke to us, and we felt it, but Gucci takes round eight.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 9:

Gucci Mane: Both [ft. Drake]
Jeezy: Go Crazy

I feel bad for Gucci Mane in round nine. He probably thinks he did something coming out with his Drake feature, that is just a few years old. Well, Jeezy followed this up with his HOV feature, which is an absolute hood classic. You have to play this song at all celebratory occasions, cruising down the freeway, at the club, any good vibes scenario - and go crazy. Both is my jam, I cannot lie. However, there is no beat Go Crazy.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 10:

Gucci Mane: Bricks [ft. Yung Ralph & Yo Gotti]
Jeezy: All There [ft. Bankroll Fresh]

This round may be the hardest to judge out of the entire battle. This may be weird to say, but Bricks changed my life, in a way. Here I am, in second grade, listening to Gucci Mane like, what is singing about stones for? I looked into it, and found out, and now I’m in tuned to hip-hop. This is what they’re going through, this is why my family does not love it. But that is okay, I’m going to keep listening. All There is another Jeezy classic, RIP to Bankroll, always. These are two of my favorite songs of the night, but I must give this one to Gucci Mane.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 11:

OJ Da Juiceman: Make tha Trap Say Aye [ft. Gucci Mane]
Jeezy: Who Dat

This is where you have to decide, are you at the club with all of your friends? Or, are you grinding in the streets with a couple of close ones? If you are in the club, it is Gucci and OJ all day. However, if you are in the streets, in the studio, or grinding at your desk, Who Dat is that motivation you need. For me, I am at home. I have to go with Who Dat.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 12:

Lil Wayne: Steady Mobbin [ft. Gucci Mane]
Shawty Lo: Dey Know (Remix) [ft. Plies, Ludacris, Jeezy & Lil Wayne]

I keep putting my life out there, but I guess now you know why this was such a big deal to me. Steady Mobbin, was the second song that I have actually memorized every single word, without the song playing in the background. Each and every verse. I loved the pace of the song, and I learned a lot from it, too. More slang, sure, but other things that have happened in the culture, with the name dropping and persona changes throughout the verses. I love this song. But, Shawty Lo’s Dey Know Remix, might be in my top five favorite tracks of all time. They both came through with Wayne features during this round, which is super interesting. But Luda and Plies were additional favorites for me in the early 2000s, and everything Shawty Lo touched turned into an instant anthem. RIP to Shawty Lo.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 13:

Gucci Mane: Heavy
Jeezy: Lost My Mind [ft. Plies]

Winner: Jeezy

Round 14:

Gucci Mane: Street N---az
Jeezy: Way Too Gone [ft. Future]

Gucci took it to the streets with this one. A hit from his old days when all that mattered was his street credibility. Jeezy followed up with a song from 2011 which kind of reflects on his old-self. It is a more conscious, celebratory song. We are here for it, but we’re keeping it with the old school hits with this battle. Gucci Mane takes round 14.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 15:

Gucci Mane: First Day Out
Jeezy: Air Forces

Gucci Mane made First Day Out, after being released from jail, then everyone followed suit. From Tee Grizzley, to Kodak Black, to TJ and plenty others. When Gucci was released from prison, dropping a new song instantly was iconic. But when he did after, was legendary. New music would drop every week. Several projects in one year. It was pure madness, and it never got old. Was he writing this whole time? Is he working this hard right now? Whatever it was, it was fantastic. Air Forces, though, is another Jeezy classic. Everyone can relate to this song. Everyone had a pair of Air Forces, and could sing along to this song saying, yeah you cannot go through what I have in these shoes. And, it is only up from here. So, this is it. Jeezy for round fifteen.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 16:

Gucci Mane: Photoshoot
Jeezy: Everythang

Photoshoot is one of those Gucci songs where he just says a whole lot of nonsense that sounds so good. There is no way you are not bobbing around, jamming to this hit. Even though if you just read the lyrics word for word, it would probably be comical. Jeezy, as many rounds, is a bit more serious with his hit. While we reminisce and sway to Everythang, and recognize all that we are thankful for, we are thankful for old Gucci Mane and his absurd lyrics and flow.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 17:

Gucci Mane: Wasted [ft. Plies]
Jeezy: Trap Star

Jeezy might have started the wave of rappers spelling with Trap Star. This song was important to Jeezy’s legacy and hip-hop today. Throughout the night, we were told to “Trap Safely.” Jeezy and Gucci Mane were two of the few trap music pioneers. To do something so different to hip-hop, and for it to stick and become as big as it has. This is something special. Though, this round, Gucci Mane went with his massive hit record Wasted. Gucci and Plies were getting radio plays on every station, and would still be included in some throwback classic hip-hop hits today. This record is huge, and would be tough to beat in a battle such as the two’s Verzuz.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 18:

Gucci Mane: Truth
Jeezy: Get Ya Mind Right

Just when we thought it was offer, Gucci Mane decides to play Truth. He literally stared Jeezy in the face and taunted his friend whom had passed. But, Jeezy did not seem to react? We saw him turn to his manager and they were whispering to each other, and I wondered what would happen next. He ended up standing up, and instead of coming with violence, he almost tried to mend the peace? But, Gucci was not quite ready. However, this does not matter much at this point in time, because Get Ya Mind Right takes this round. Gucci made a bold move with his song, but Jeezy plays this message at just the right moment, and it is one of his finest.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 19:

Gucci Mane: 745
Jeezy: Put On [ft. Kanye West]

Gucci was not quite ready to let it go. 745 is hit, promoting himself, while also siting subtle jabs at Jeezy here and there throughout. Nothing like a deliberate name drop before wishing pain on someone’s mother. If we are talking old, street hits, this is it. But if we are talking classics, it is Put On. This was great Kanye, it was great Jeezy. This is three times platinum, selling over three million copies in the United States. Put On takes the win.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 20:

Gucci Mane: Trap House
Jeezy: Seen It All [ft. JAY-Z]

Trap House and Gucci Mane have a long line of success, which includes three projects, on top of the hit single. Seen It All, on the other hand, is not only Jeezy’s second HOV feature, but one of his most widely known songs he has ever created. This song does not loose anywhere, against any artist.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 21:

Gucci Mane: I Get the Bag [ft. Migos]
Jeezy: Thug Motivation 101

Remember when Gucci Mane was the fourth Migo? I think we sometimes forget how much influence Gucci has had on who is hott today. I Get the Bag was a massive hit and went four times platinum. Jeezy put out another solid track, which was also the title track of his album Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101. While solid indeed, with all the Jeezy adlibs we know and love, the numbers do not lie. Gucci had to show off that he can still make hits today, two decades later.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 22:

Gucci Mane: Pillz
Jeezy: Soul Survivor

Round twenty-two is second most difficult round to judge of this battle. Bitch I Might Be, from Gucci Mane’s Pillz track, might just be the most quoted lyrics from a song of all time. To this day, I quote this track. The old drill, trap beat and the chorus that makes you want to crank that from side to side. But, then Jeezy follows up with the trap anthem, with his soul anthem with Akon. I really do not even know what to do here, with these being two totally different songs, but two of my favorites from each artist. Clearly, if we are keeping it all street like Gucci said, we would have to go with him. However, if we are going with the classics, like Jeezy said, we would have to go with him. Again, the tracks are too different to really compare them side by side. But, as I do think these battles are being judged based on your classics and longevity of each hit, Jeezy has to take this round, as well.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 23: 

Gucci Mane: Gone Hate
Jeezy: J.E.E.Z.Y.

I love listening to old Gucci, whose sound and means of life has altered so much from his early years. This song is great to hear him tell his story of his upbringing, but I would have expected it more at the beginning of the battle. Perhaps, replacing one of his many diss tracks that he had dropped, and throwing in some more heat in this round, where he really needs it the most. I think he could have done more of his features. Like Championships, that would have been so fire right here. J.E.E.Z.Y’s self-titled track right here is one of his many classics throughout the night. This takes the W, without question.

Winner: Jeezy

Round 24:

Gucci Mane: Lemonade
Jeezy: Welcome Back

I love both of these tracks so much. Jeezy came through tonight. It is interesting because if you think about who is more relevant today, Gucci Mane has been much more consistent and in headlines of recent times than Jeezy. Though Gucci Mane might have numbers on him in terms of projects and plaques, Jeezy has a handful of classics, and that is what he prides himself on. You have to think, do you want your favorite artist to drop every day, even if the tracks are just so-so? Or do you want them to take their time and put out hits that last a lifetime, once they’re ready? Welcome Back is another great track from Jeezy, and he may have just pulled away with the W based on hit selection. However, Lemonade does take this round, as it has done wonders for Gucci. One of his classic hit singles, whose remix with Nicki Minaj really took off. Another who got her major breakout with some help from Gucci Mane, who many forget about. Thank goodness Gucci made room for this one, which he could not possibly loose.

Winner: Gucci Mane

Round 25:

Gucci Mane: Icy [ft. Jeezy]

I had high hopes of this happening prior to the actual execution of the Verzuz battle. During the entirety of the show, I had lost all hope. The energy was tense, the disrespect was apparent, and you could just not help but wonder if something was going to go left. Though, there were those small moments when one would bob their head, then turn around to their camp and pretend they were not listening. Right at the moment prior to the DJ dropping this track, I thought something bad was going to happen. But in fact, something incredible had happened. The beef was squashed, history was made, a night to go down in history, that life may be bigger than music, but music is our lives. I loved this, so this round, this round goes to hip-hop.

Winner: Hip-Hop

Overall Verdict: Gucci Mane, 9 Jeezy, 15

Winner: Jeezy

Ultimately, I did not anticipate the battle going this way, but I would have to say that based off of the hit selection, this is where it netted out. Numbers do not lie, but classics are forever. In the end, the final performance was round of the night, and history was made.