Right before Memorial Weekend came to a close, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland looked to treat music lovers once again with a massive R&B showcase. On Monday night (May 25), powerhouses 112 and Jagged Edge squared off in a two-hour battle for the latest edition of Verzuz.
On the heels of Beenie Man and Bounty Killer’s explosive showdown Saturday night (May 23), these two R&B titans appeared ready to be up to the task of delivering a potential classic. Though sound difficulties affected both sides, music purists relished the warm, silky throwbacks whipped up by each camp.
Take a look below to see how Atlanta’s prized groups fared below.
ROUND 1: Jagged Edge’s “He Can’t Love U” vs. 112’s “It’s Over Now”
After 112 re-entered Instagram Live, Jagged Edge kicked things off with the slithery earworm “He Can’t Love U.” Unfortunately for the ATL quartet, 112’s Slim delivered a booming counter with the undeniable Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “It’s Over Now” in honor of their Bad Boy days. The gloves are officially off.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 2: Jagged Edge’s “Girl It’s Over” vs. 112 feat. Mr Cheeks’ “Come See Me”
In hopes of evening the score, “homegrown JE” dialed in the somber breakup anthem “Girl It’s Over.” Again, 112 swung for the fences and connected with their ’90s bop ‘Come See Me.” It’s hard to deny Slim’s buttery vocals and Tim and Bob’s impeccable production.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 3: Jagged Edge’s “Wednesday Lover” vs. 112’s “Now That We’re Done”
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, JE was a band of smooth lotharios every day of the week, most notably on Wednesdays with this impressive track. What an excellent rebound here by the boys to push off 112’s early streak.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 4: Jagged Edge’s “Promise” (Remix) vs. 112’s “U Already Know”
JE opts to pull the “Promise” card early in the game and, to their benefit, works. They set the table nicely until 112 crashes the scene with the velvety lullaby “U Already Know.” What a counter. Don’t ask any questions. Room 112 is where the party’s at right now.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 5: Jagged Edge’s “I Gotta Be” vs. 112 feat. Lil’ Zane’s “Anywhere”
“I Gotta Be” even has Slim up out his seat and vibin’. “That smell like a No. 1 joint, too. That was smoke,” he says. I think 112 is enjoying going second because their counter game is strong tonight. Sadly for JE, “Anywhere” was a sultry jam that brought instant gratification to every bedroom in America.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 6: Jagged Edge’s “Walked Outta Heaven” vs. 112’s “Cupid”
“One of my favorite Jagged Edge records,” Slim says in praise of the JE’s flawless selection. 112 bounces back with the mesmerizing “Cupid.” Both groups zipped upstairs to heaven with these entrancing cuts. These were some godly records.
WINNER: TIE
ROUND 7: Jagged Edge’s “Goodbye” vs. 112’s “Player”
A Jagged Little Thrill gem helps the good men of ATL earn a much-needed point on the scoreboard. During the brief intermission, the “godfather of R&B” Keith Sweat pulls up the battle to kick it with 112. “Y’all both my favorite groups from the ’90s,” he declares. Though 112’s Daron wasn’t involved with Verzuz because of a legal dispute with his group mates, his vocals from “Player” dazzles and has the room buzzing.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 8: Jagged Edge’s “Remedy” vs. Mobb Deep feat. 112’s “Hey Luv (Anything)”
“Remedy” was the perfect way to close 2001’s Jagged Little Thrill. Famed songwriter Brian Michael Cox’s advanced pen skills were on display and caused the group to bring this record back and deservingly so. Also, the chords on “Remedy” were so clean.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 9: Notorious B.I.G. feat. P. Diddy, Nelly & Jagged Edge’s “Nasty Girl” vs. Notorious B.I.G. feat. 112’s “Sky’s the Limit”
Though JE didn’t get to work with Biggie Smalls during his lifetime, they left their footprints on the rapper’s posthumous single “Nasty Girl.” Fortunately, for 112, they had a fistful of collabs with Big Poppa during their run with Bad Boy in the ’90s, including the motivational Life After Death record “Sky’s the Limit.” That hook was pristine. B.I.G. forever.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 10: Jagged Edge’s “Promise” (Remix) vs. Slim’s “So Fly”
JE paid homage to LL Cool J with this remix in 2000, courtesy of super-producer Jermaine Dupri. Even the boys from 112 asked if they could sing this version during their next performance. Slim proved he was a solo threat when he dropped “So Fly.” Every college kid was on cloud nine, because who didn’t want to be fly back then?
WINNER: 112
ROUND 11: Fabolous feat. Jagged Edge’s “Trade It All Pt. 2” vs. 112 feat. Ma$e’s “Love Me”
Now, it appears 112 is having technical difficulties. The WiFi bug is making its presence tonight. Musically, how can you dispute Fab and Diddy’s crisp flows on the hit sequel?
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 12: Jagged Edge’s “Good Luck Charm” vs. 112’s “Dance With Me (Remix)” Feat. Beanie Sigel
Yes, Bad Boy invented the remix, but this one kind of went under the radar with Beans. It didn’t have quite the punch in comparison to its predecessors.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 13: Nivea feat. Jagged Edge’s “Don’t Mess With My Man” vs. 112 feat. Notorious B.I.G. & Ma$e’s “Only You (Remix)”
Now, THIS REMIX RIGHT HERE is what had Bad Boy soaring to the moon. This is the one!
WINNER: 112
ROUND 14: Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married (Remix)” vs. Notorious B.I.G. feat. 112 ‘s “Miss U”
“Let’s Get Married (Remix)” is the ultimate send-off to a newlywed right when the reception is ready to wrap up. Both sides are cranking out classics right now as we enter the fourth quarter. Even Biggie’s stout presence can’t reject this one.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 15: Jagged Edge’s “Put a Little Umph In It” vs. 112’s “Love You Like I Did”
Again, Jermaine Dupri’s genius shines, courtesy of this darkhorse of a record. Still, there’s a reason why people weren’t quick to check-out of Room 112, and that’s because of “Love You Like I Did.”
WINNER: 112
ROUND 16: Jagged Edge’s “What’s It Like” vs. 112’s “Can I Touch You”
Nice chess move by Jagged Edge to play the original and then the remix featuring super-producer Jermaine Dupri. I know Bad Boy gets (and takes) a lot of credit for inventing the remix, but the So So Def virtuoso cultivated a lot of well-known hits of his own. As for 112, the static is beginning to drown the noise and is slowly killing their momentum.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
ROUND 17: Jagged Edge’s “Healing” vs. Allure feat. 112’s “All Cried Out”
JE knew a thing or two about heartbreak. They knew about “Healing,” too, which was an incredible ballad by the ATL foursome back in 2000. I don’t think anyone knew 112 was going to go deep in the late-’90s archives for this top 10 hit collab with Allure, though. It’s ballads galore as we start to wind down.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 18: Jagged Edge’s “What You Tryin’ to Do.” vs. 112’s “Peaches & Cream”
JE’s sticking to their guns as they continue to fire ballads from their J.E.Heartbreak album. Here, 112 wisely shifts the mood with their decadent classic “Peaches & Cream.” This one is too sweet to pass up.
WINNER: 112
ROUND 19: Jagged Edge’s “Hard” vs. Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112’s “I’ll Be Missing You”
WINNER: 112
Paying homage to Andre Harrell and the Notorious B.I.G, 112 scoops out Diddy’s Biggie-tributing 1997 Hot 100 No. 1 single “I’ll Be Missing You” as we near the finish line.
ROUND 20: Jagged Edge feat. Nelly’s “Where the Party At” vs…..?
This record single-handedly powered Jagged Little Thrill as it clawed its way to No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 2001. We just have to wonder why 112 forgot to play their final record.
WINNER: Jagged Edge
Wider Catalog: TIE
Both groups pulled out all the stops from original music to guest appearances and remixes from the ’90s and 2000s. The variety wasn’t missing at all tonight.
Biggest Snub: TIE
Honestly, even though 112 left without playing a 20th, neither group had a major snub to speak of: The only top 40 hit left on the table by either was 112’s feature on Lil Zane’s “Callin Me,” and they’d already played a bigger Zane collab in their own “Anywhere.” It was a strong mix of classic singles, hit features, and fan-favorite remixes and deep cuts for both outfits.
Best Banter: 112
From the Bad Boy radio drops to the Ciroc bottles on deck, to the shameless plugs, you have to love 112’s antics. They were pure humor. And they had no problem boasting about their collection of No. 1 hits.
Biggest K.O.: 112
Having a Biggie record under your belt is an accomplishment. So Jagged Edge should hold their heads high about “Nasty Girl’ because it was a hit. But when 112 opted to play Biggie’s “Sky’s the Limit,” that had to shrink their confidence a bit, considering they had a classic with the Brooklyn great actually recorded during his lifetime.
People’s Champ: Jagged Edge
112 was overly brash, and though they have a robust catalog under their arsenal, it was hard to get past the static sound from their end. JE played it calm and relaxed during the battle.
FINAL SCORE: 13-9-3, 112