T.I. Says There’s Too Big Of A “Generational Gap” Between Him And Busta Rhymes For A VERZUZ

T.I. says he and Busta Rhymes are in two different generations of music when it comes to performing in a VERZUZ battle.

During an Instagram live between Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe, Bus shared that he wants to go head to head with the Atlanta rapper in the next Verzuz. “From one brother that loves you, to a brother that knows I love him,” Busta said to T.I. “I’m begging you to step in the ring with me. I’ma bust your ass. He added, “We gon’ do it with grace, but I’ma bust T.I. I’ma bust your ass. Come on, T.I, let’s have fun. Let’s have fun T.I.”

Some were here for the match up it but others called out the generational difference between the two artists. “Busta Rhymes called out Tip to do a Verzuz battle. Cool but 2 different generations. I hope they don’t do this,” wrote one Twitter user. Some people felt Busta Rhymes would win over “T.I. Everyones laughing but make no mistakes busta rhymes will murder TI in a versus battle,” wrote another Twitter user.

T.I. ended up hopping on Instagram Live saying that while he greatly respects Busta’s music catalog, it’s just not quite on the same level – age-wise -as his. “I f*ck you Bus, and I respect my elders. No cap, no cap, I ain’t trying to be funny about it at all. But, just speaking honestly, Busta you was in Leaders Of The New School which came out in that, ‘Just another case of,’” said T.I. who started singing Leaders of the New School’s track “Case Of The P.T.A.” “I was a fan of Leaders Of The New School, still am, and all your sh*t,” he said.

“But, I didn’t know we were reaching back, like, you know, through generations. That’s a huge generational gap there, idn’t?,” questioned T.I. He then said that people wouldn’t expect Dionne Warwick and Brandy to go against one another in a music battle in reference to their music’s age difference. He said the matchup is comparable to boxers Mike Tyson and George Foreman. The rapper then mentioned that a better match up for Bus would be between him and L.L. Cool J.

Throughout the entire live, T.I. gives props to Bus and calls him one of the most “phenomenal talents our time.” “Muthaf*ckin catalog is thick,” he said. “We gone figure it out, but I appreciate the consideration though, Busta. I really do, man. I truly do appreciate the consideration and I thank you for all of your contributions to the culture. Got nothing but respect for you.”

At the end of the video, T.I. answered one of his followers who asked, “If not Busta then who?”

“To be honest with you, bruh: I feel like I called out, I picked who I thought you was you know what I’m saying my best shot,” he said. “Everybody keep saying me and Young.” By “Young” we don’t quite no if he was referring to Young Thug or Young Jeezy, but a few people have called for Jeezy and Tip to battle it out. “But if Young wanted this smoke, he’d say it. If y’all want it, tell him to say it,” he finished.