This may be the most close Verzuz Battle since these have begun. Nelly vs Ludacris might not be your fancy if you aren’t an 80s baby and a true Hip-Hop fan, but if you are, who better than the Midwest emcee that put St. Louis on the map, and the Atlanta bred emcee that helped start the wave for the Southern takeover of Hip-Hop.
Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr., started rapping with his crew in St. Louis since, 1993. But it wasn’t until 1999 that he got signed by Universal Records. His lead single, “Country Grammar” was an instant game changer for himself and his St. Lunatics crew, which included Murphy Lee, KyJuan, City Spud, Ali and Slo’Down. He’s released 7 solo albums, and also released an album as part of the St. Lunatics. Nelly was the first rapper to have an album go #1 and #2 on the Billboard charts simultaneously, back in 2004. His last album came in 2013, but he has released several singles since.
In addition to music, Nelly was one of the first artists to really show off his business savvy. He appeared in films, his major feature being The Longest Yard. He released a clothing line for men called Vokal and for ladies he released Apple Bottom Jeans. He was also a co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team.
Ludacris, born Chris Bridges was a radio personality in Atlanta going by the name of Chris Lova Lova. He made his major label debut in 2000, signed to Def Jam Records. He has released 9 albums, if you include his first mixtape, Incognegro. Ludacris has also released 2 albums with his Disturbing Tha Peace family, which included Shawnna, I-20, Lil Fate, and the original home of 2 Chainz, who at the time went as Tity Boy as part of Playaz Circle. He later added Bobby Valentino and Chingy.
Ludacris also transitioned into entrepreneurship and acting as his career evolved. He is the co-owner of Conjure Cognac, he is a restaurant owner in Atlanta as well. He released his own headphones line a few years ago when artists where releasing headphones to compete with Beats.
Both artists released their major label debut in 2000, with Nelly releasing Country Grammar and Ludacris releasing Back For The First Time.
Like we have done previously with these Verzuz battles, here’s a round by round break down of the Nelly vs Ludacris battle.
Previous Battles:
Ne-Yo vs. Johnta Austin | Mannie Fresh vs. Scott Storch | T-Pain vs. Lil Jon |
Dj Premier vs. RZA | Babyface vs. Teddy Riley | Jill Scott vs. Erykah Badu |
Nelly vs. Ludacris | Beenie Man vs. Bounty Killer | 112 vs. Jagged Edge |
Kirk Franklin vs. Fred Hammond | Alicia Keys vs. John Legend | Fabolous vs. Jadakiss | DMX vs. Snoop Dogg | Rick Ross vs. 2 Chainz |
Brandy vs. Monica | Gladys Knight vs Patti LaBelle | Gucci Mane vs Jeezy |
E-40 vs. Too Short | Ashanti vs. Keyshia Cole |D’Angelo & Friends |
Ghostface Killah vs. Raekwon |The Isley Brothers vs. Earth, Wind & Fire |
Method Man vs. Redman | Xscape vs. SWV | Swizz Beatz vs Timbaland Rematch | Eve vs Trina | Bow Wow vs. Soulja Boy | Bobby Brown vs. Keith Sweat |
Round by Round of The Lox vs Dipset Verzuz
Ludacris kicked things off…
It should be said that Nelly had some serious wi-fi issues to start the battle and dealt with it throughout the battle because of a storm in St. Louis.
Round 1: Ludacris featuring Jermaine Dupri – “Welcome To Atlanta” vs. Nelly featuring Jazze Pha “Na-NaNa-Na”
Winner: Ludacris
Ludacris featuring Jermaine Dupri – “Welcome To Atlanta”
Round 2: Ludacris featuring Shawnna and Lil’ Fate – “P-Poppin'” vs. Nelly featuring The St. Lunatics – Tip Drill (E.I. Remix)
Winner: Nelly
Nelly featuring The St. Lunatics – Tip Drill (E.I. Remix)
Nelly feat. St. Lunatics – Tip Drill from Bahati on Vimeo.
Round 3: Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj – “My Chick Bad” vs. Nelly – “Pimp Juice”
Winner: Ludacris
Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj – “My Chick Bad”
Round 4: Ludacris – “Ho” vs. “Flap Your Wings”
Winner: Ludacris
“Ho”
Round 5: Ludacris – “Saturday (Oooh Oooh!)” vs. Nelly featuring City Spud – “Ride Wit Me”
Winner: Nelly
Nelly featuring City Spud – “Ride Wit Me”
Round 6: Ludacris featuring Shawnna – “What’s Your Fantasy?” vs. Nelly – “Country Grammar”
Winner: Nelly
Nelly – “Country Grammar”
Round 7: Ludacris – “Rollout (My Business)” vs. Nelly featuring Akon and Ashanti – “Body On Me”
Winner: Ludacris
Ludacris – “Rollout (My Business)”
Round 8: Ludacris – “Splash Waterfalls” vs. Nelly featuring Jahiem – “My Place”
Winner: Ludacris
Ludacris – “Splash Waterfalls”
Round 9: Ciara featuring Ludacris – “Oh” vs. The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Jagged Edge, Nelly & Avery Storm – “Nasty Girl”
I feel like the Ciara record was a throwaway in this battle that I didn’t see coming. Got to give it to that Biggie Duets album.
Winner: Nelly
The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Jagged Edge, Nelly & Avery Storm – “Nasty Girl”
Round 10: Nas featuring Jadakiss & Ludacris – “Made You Look (Remix) vs. State Property, Beanie Sigel & Freeway featuring Nelly and Murphy Lee – “Roc The Mic Remix”
Winner: Nelly
State Property, Beanie Sigel & Freeway featuring Nelly and Murphy Lee – “Roc The Mic Remix”
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