Videos by According2HipHop
Last fall, VERZUZ delivered a historic crash course in the pillars of hip hop after reuniting Cash Money Records and No Limit Records for an unforgettable faceoff. But the culture thrives on evolution, not just remembrance — and the latest installment of VERZUZ pushed that momentum forward by spotlighting the architects behind the hits instead of the artists who perform them.
Dubbed “The Return of the Producers,” the matchup between Mike WiLL Made-It and Hit-Boy served as a masterclass in modern rap production, pitting two hitmakers responsible for shaping the sonic identity of the 2010s against each other. Broadcasting live from Apple Music Studios in Los Angeles, the battle celebrated catalogs that helped define the last decade of mainstream hip-hop, R&B, and pop crossover success.
From the jump, the energy felt less like a competition and more like a celebration of influence. The opening round set the tone with a Kendrick Lamar clash, as Mike WiLL fired off the Grammy-winning juggernaut “HUMBLE.” while Hit-Boy countered with the aggressive, early-career standout “Backseat Freestyle.”
As the rounds progressed, both producers leaned heavily into their cultural strongholds. Mike WiLL showcased his knack for crafting infectious club records with tracks like Future’s “Itchin,” Ciara’s “Body Party,” and Rihanna’s strip-club staple “Pour It Up.” Meanwhile, Hit-Boy countered with larger-than-life moments like Drake’s triumphant “Trophies,” Beyoncé’s commanding “Bow Down,” and, of course, the generational anthem “Ni**as in Paris.”
The night’s most electric moments came when the producers blurred the lines between DJ set and live concert. Mike WiLL ignited nostalgia by bringing Rae Sremmurd to the stage for their viral smash “Black Beatles,” instantly transporting viewers back to the peak of the Mannequin Challenge era. Hit-Boy answered with his own star power, surprising audiences with Big Sean, who delivered his verse from G.O.O.D. Music’s “Clique” before debuting an unreleased collaboration produced by Hit-Boy, offering a glimpse into his still-expanding creative run.
Guest appearances didn’t stop there. Juicy J popped out for the strip-club staple “Bandz A Make Her Dance,” while T.I., Tiny, and Chloe Bailey were among the high-profile figures spotted in the crowd, reinforcing how deeply both producers’ catalogs are woven into hip-hop’s cultural fabric.
By the later rounds, the battle shifted into legacy mode. Mike WiLL’s Beyoncé-produced “Formation” stood tall as one of the decade’s most politically and culturally impactful records, while Hit-Boy matched the star power with Beyoncé’s “Flawless,” turning the round into an unofficial tribute to the pop icon’s deep ties to both producers. Elsewhere, Mike WiLLstacked high-octane anthems like “Bugatti” and “Turn On The Lights,” while Hit-Boy leaned into emotional resonance with Nipsey Hussle’s Grammy-winning “Racks In The Middle.”
Like most VERZUZ battles, crowning a definitive winner ultimately comes down to personal taste. Mike WiLL’s catalog represents the pulse of Southern trap’s chart-dominating era, while Hit-Boy’s résumé captures the grandeur and crossover appeal of hip-hop’s luxury rap movement. What’s undeniable, however, is that both producers helped mold the soundscape of modern rap in ways that continue to influence the next generation of artists and beatmakers.
