Keyshia Cole and Ashanti finally took the Verzuz stage on Thursday (January 21), following not one but two COVID-related delays. Fans were already perturbed because of the push-backs but still tuned in – then started getting even more upset when they had to wait for over an hour for Keyshia to finally arrive on set. And it certainly didn’t help that she was less than enthusiastic when she finally did show up.
But finally the battle kicked off, and the two powerhouse R&B singers went hit for hit with tracks like Ashanti’s “Foolish,” “Baby” and “What’s Luv?” and Keyshia’s “Heaven Sent,” “You’ve Changed” and “Love” – with most viewers crowing the “Foolish” creator the winner at the end. However, the overall sentiment was that the whole show just wasn’t it.
“Last night’s #Verzuz was proof that some things are better left as ideas,” one viewer tweeted. “Between the lateness, Ashanti playing Candy Crush while Keyshia Cole was singing her songs and having an open bar, it was a mess! They looked beautiful though.”
If #Verzuz plans to continue I hope they figure out the product placements. It was giving clutter and antique shop last night.
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) January 22, 2021
“My friend: ‘Who won the battle tonight?? #Verzuz Me: the liquor that Keyshia was drinking & Ashanti’s damn phone,” another viewer wrote.
My friend: “Who won the battle tonight??”#Verzuz
Me: the liquor that Keyshia was drinking & Ashanti’s damn phone pic.twitter.com/ePItZj4cBj
— Liz (@_Feyishayo) January 22, 2021
The suprise of the night came in the form of OT Genasis, particularly because he’d beefed with Keyshia for months at the top of 2020 when he released an off-key remix to “Love” he named “Never Knew” – a move the Oakland native was not a fan of.
AD LOADING...
O.T. Genasis Apologizes To Keyshia Cole While Issuing A Threat — Then Deletes It
But the beef was a thing of the past on Thursday night, with the “Cut It” rapper appearing to help Keyshia with the song instead.
Check out more reactions to Keyshia Cole and Ashanti’s Verzuz battle below.
#Verzuz My face when Keyshia was getting smart with Ashanti ??? pic.twitter.com/FAuY8odZ37
— Princess? (@xbabyyprincess) January 22, 2021
so for the next one…..can we call Fantasia? #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/qHhZMqr6n9
— ? (@killaaaak_) January 22, 2021
4. Keyshia’s song placement was interesting. I don’t see how Love was played so early.
5. Ashanti kept grabbing that phone like, “Oh I can beat that. Play this next.”
6. The talking and leaving while the other person performed was hilarious.
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) January 23, 2021
After having an attitude, being rushy and off the liquor during the whole night, taking constant breaks and not playing many of her most important hits.
This is the moment Keyshia Cole knew she lost the battle and the most important round… #20.#Verzuz#AshantiVsKeyshiaColepic.twitter.com/uG3AZWTs5G
— Truthfully ‘THE EXCEPTIONAL’ Ruthless (@FullyCalibrated) January 22, 2021
So BOTH Ashanti and Keyshia Cole decided not to play Woman to Woman when it’s their only song together?! #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/DpP3A57BzI
— Lani (@Lanierbear) January 22, 2021
21 was our entertainment for the night!!! ??? #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/D0WRjxDsAI
— Curt The Savage ? (@DaBoyCurt_06) January 22, 2021
My face when When Miss Cole was catching an attitude when she was 30 minutes late ? #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/RnMfe2W1cL
— Not Jones. (@indyanah2) January 22, 2021
Good night guys. It was hella messy but I wouldn’t have watched it without y’all?? #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/brTGuH6mnW
— Henjoymenttt (@Ghanaian_Queen) January 22, 2021
after postponing twice, an hour and a half late, and some whack ass djs, we made it yall gn #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/gT0cTD6tFt
— “ (@waaterrmelon) January 22, 2021
Keyshia Cole and Ashanti: we got new songs
Me and everybody else watching:#Verzuz#verzuzbattlepic.twitter.com/65ZMlFvKdc
— Rodney No King (@Rodbez1) January 22, 2021
everybody trying to get in the last word and last song .. PLEASE! I have work tomorrow. #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/wmp4yEuAVy
— . (@598013C) January 22, 2021
Me the whole time watching Ashanti and Keyshia Cole #Verzuzpic.twitter.com/WFgJU8YXKm
— ?????? ???? ??????? ❁ (@TailorSims) January 22, 2021
ncG1vNJzZmigmaW1sLzDsWWcp51ku6bD0mignWZmZX56fY6toK2klWO8bsCMoJynmaOewG63xLKqoaGRYrCwuMRmrZ6qqqrHbq3SoZinrJlirrG8xJqpmqaTmnqlscCdnJ1lkWLEprXRnWSbnZWbeqPB02apm2WWlru0ecSxp56bpJqxbrnOq5w%3D