Bay Area Legends E-40 and Too Short Verzuz Battle
Written By Zaina Cummins
The Verzuz battle between two legends of the Bay Area on Saturday night (December 19) was a party like no other, as E-40 and Too $hort faced off to close out the year in spectacular fashion. Apple Music, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland pulled out all the stops as the unique stage set up had
the two rappers pay homage to the Bay’s hip-hop history with two lowriders, and a street sign representing the crossing of Oakland and Vallejo.
Over 250,000 fans logged into their Instagram accounts to tune into the legendary battle — which took quite some time to get started. Big Von and DJ Slowpoke got the audience fired up in the chat with an early warm-up to kick off the event, and after waiting over 40 minutes, fans were relieved to see E-40 and Too $hort finally arrive. The legendary rappers poured up a drink, gave a cheer and got right to work on a night full of speaker-knocking anthems, hilarious dance moves, and nostalgia. “If you from The Bay you finna win tonight,” said Too $hort.
Check out the best moments of E-40 and Too $hort’s Verzuz below!
1. Iconic Samples
Tonight’s Verzuz was a hip hop history lesson for the youngins. Some of today’s most recognized club anthems are samples from these two GOATs. “Freaky Tales” by Too Short lends way to Yo Gotti’s “Rake It Up.” “Captain Save a Hoe” by E-40 was sampled by Three 6 Mafia and “Shake That Shit” are staples in the culture, and have survived over two decades in the game just like the artists who first made them famous.
2. Nate Dogg Tribute
“Nah, Nah…” by E-40 was a moment to salute hip hop’s “King of Hooks,” Nate Dogg, who died in 2011 of congestive heart failure. The late OG’s voice was one of a kind and his contributions to the West Coast sound is incomparable. This moment was necessary.
3. Learning The “E” in E-40 Stands For Earl
Hearing Too Short call E-40 by his government name was entertaining to some viewers. By the end of the night, fans were calling 40 “Uncle Earl” Too Short was taunting him, saying, “Talk shit, Earl. Diddy said talk shit!” By the time 40’s Earl Stevens wine hit, he was in his bag and talking his talk.
4. The Bay x The South
The moment Too Short and E-40 shouted out southern artists like Lil Jon, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti and more for recognizing the two Bay Area rappers as influences in their music was beautiful.
And E-40 and Short have love for the south right back. “Snap Yo Fingers” went to another level entirely once 40 slid on the remix.
5. The Bay Area Geography Lesson
Fans went crazy when Too Short shouted out every city in The Bay. He and 40 shouted out all the rappers from each spot in a dope moment of solidarity. He even showed love to the sistas and said women from The Bay are “Wifeable Material.” “These athlete niggas be marrying the fuck out these Bay Area bitches,” Short said.
6. The Hyphy Sound
Go stupid! The Hyphy sound of the evening is a lit way to end one of the wildest years yet. “Function,” “Candy (Drippin’ Like Water),” and “Tell Me When to Go” still moves the crowd like they did the first time we heard them. The high energy and positive vibes made the night feel more like a kickback than a battle — a Bay Area party live streamed and shared with the world.
7. The Tupac Tribute
E-40 said Tupac is the greatest rapper of all time when he played 1995’s “Dusted N’ Disgusted” featuring the late polymath. The late rapper was a prolific speaker, actor, poet and hip hop luminary, which E-40 respected.
8. The Puff Daddy Moment
“The World Is Filled…” from The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death album featured Too Short and REVOLT’s chairman Sean “Diddy” Combs, who went by Puff Daddy when the track came out. The 1997 project was Biggie’s second and final album, which was released 16 days after his death.
9. Too Short Taking Shots At Steph Curry
Pulling rank, Too Short proved he was more famous than NBA champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. He taunted him, “Your coach brought me a jersey” as he held up a Steve Kerr signed “Oakland Forever” Warriors jersey. He then put it on and wore it for the rest of the live stream to really rub it in the baller’s face.
9. Too Short Taking Shots At Steph Curry
Pulling rank, Too Short proved he was more famous than NBA champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. He taunted him, “Your coach brought me a jersey” as he held up a Steve Kerr signed “Oakland Forever” Warriors jersey. He then put it on and wore it for the rest of the live stream to really rub it in the baller’s face.
11. Encouraging Georgia to Vote
Not forgetting that Georgia has important runoff elections for the Senate coming up on January, 5, 2021. E-40 and Too Short reminded their fans who were Georgia peaches to head to the polls when the time comes and make their voices heard. encouraged “Listen to me, it’s important to vote,” Short said.
Runoff elections are held when no candidate wins the required majority of votes, and this election will decide who controls the Senate, and ultimately how much President-elect Joe Biden can accomplish.
12. Mac Dre Love
They couldn’t have a Bay Area celebration without salutes to hip hop pioneer Mac Dre. Short and 40 kept paying homage to the Vallejo music producer who was killed in 2004. The late trailblazer recorded more than a dozen albums since his 1984 debut and is credited for influencing the hyphy movement.
13. The Confirmation Of A Too Short, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and E-40 Album
When they released their joint album, Ain’t Gone Do It / Terms and Conditions, this past week, we knew we were in for a bop or two. But, when Short confirmed the “Mount Westmore” album — a joint project coming from Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40 and himself, the prayers of West Coast hip hop lovers were answered.
14. E-40 and Too $hort’s Duets Whether it was “Bitch” featuring 50 Cent or “Rapper’s Ball” featuring K-Ci from the hit 90s R&B group Jodeci, hearing the two Bay Area icons on the same track is always a divine moment.
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