As soon as Dr. Dre hinted at an Eminem Verzuz battle on Instagram, fans immediately suggested possible opponents. There were many names tossed around, including Jay-Z, Twista, T.I., Nas, and Tech N9ne. E-40, however, says that Busta Rhymes would crush Em in a battle of hits.
In a recent appearance on Jalen & Jacoby's podcast, the Bay Area icon discussed the possible showdown.
“Busta Rhymes would eat Eminem in a Verzuz battle. I really believe that,” E-40 said. “Busta Rhymes goes crazy. Because, now, it’s turned into a performance type of situation. Busta Rhymes is animated. He got gas. He raps fast, all that. He do all that stuff that Eminem do. And Busta Rhymes got up-tempo slaps that get the party goin‘. Anytime you got up-tempo slaps, you’re gonna win.”
Marshall Mathers' impact on hip-hop culture was acknowledged by E-40 and he expressed nothing but love for him.
“Eminem is so legendary. You know, definitely. Can’t take nothing away from him,” he continued. “Great hits, great style—I mean, he’s legendary, he’s an icon”
E-40 added that many people are not aware of all Busta's contributions and that his discography is largely overlooked.
“I feel like Busta Rhymes gots what it takes to bring it to the surface, man, to let people say, ‘Damn, I didn’t even know he had all these hits, man’ …” he said. “The stuff he did with Mariah (Carey) and the stuff he did with Craig Mack, and he got his own slaps, bro. And he’s animated.”
In a joking manner, E-40 instructed the hosts to get in touch with Verzuz's co-founder Swizz Beatz; “He and Timbaland need to make this happen.” Check out video below to watch the interview segment.