Verzuz

Each battle are often paired up by the genre of categories. Where a Music producer will go up against another Music Producer, Songwriter against Songwriter, Vocal Production (example: Vocal Artist against Vocal Artist [Sub category: Singer vs. Singer or Rapper vs. Rapper] ). Each artist have up to 20 tracks prepared to use in the battle.The guidelines for competing are to have produced, written or sang on the track used. As for many rap artists, they can use their collaborations or 'feature' segments from other artist tracks. Producers who 'remixed' a track have been called in question, especially if they are not the originator of the song produced, as a pun joke from Babyface,[5] but is still acceptable as it is a form of their own works. The winners are solely to the discretion of the viewers preference, there are no direct chosen winners, however accolades surrounding an artist accomplishments may make one person outshine the next. The real winners are the views counted by how many tuned in to watch as it shows the popularity and support given. During the battle, they are allowed to gloat, flaunt, tease as it is friendly competition. Spectators, whether celebrities or general viewing public, keep score on who they believe won each round sometimes losing count. The challenger usually feeds off the last contender's song choice or word play 'puns' to complement the flow. The curators who preside over the live feed remotely monitor the competition. Series 2 will take place with the new guideline in effect.

Billboard Magazine gave a scorecard sheet ranking the battles from least to favorable, placing the Jill Scott vs Erykah Badu battle at the number 1 spot.[28]

The series popularity quickly drew in many viewers as a way to cope while on quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a vehicle for viewers to laugh, sing-a-long, dance, go back in time feeling nostalgic, watch other entertainers communicate and interact with one another through comments and replies while watching and also with each other on-screen during battle, and also it united everyone together during the crisis.[29]

The battles are rooted to pit each artist up against each other, but is done tastefully, ending in praises and celebration. One battle noted of this, was the Erykah Badu vs.Jill Scott match-up, where both were classy and honored each other by complimenting their successes. It was a way to empower women.[30]

Many notable people have tuned into VERZUZ TV, among those were former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, Oprah, Patti LaBelle, Ziggy Marley, Steve Harvey, Bobby Brown, Jamie Foxx to name a few. Major media outlets such as ABC News[31] and CNN[32] have also covered stories over the social media phenomenon.

Notable moments from the battles include:

• American producer and singer Teddy Riley was the subject of online jokes, parody and criticisms for technical difficulties during his battle with Babyface. He was heavily criticized for poor quality production values, weak wifi signals and over confidence. This caused the challenge to be rescheduled for another day.[33] Nelly also faced similar criticism due to his live feed freezing often and inaudible audio, for which he blamed "severe weather storms".[34]
• Rapper Ludacris faced backlash after leaking a new song during the battle with Nelly, which contained suggestive humor towards R, Kelly, Bill Cosby & Rosanne Barr. He later addressed the subject on Atlanta's V103 radio show with Big Tigger: "Sometimes when you speak on record, you speak on it like its just me and you having a conversation as friends, you're just speaking and being honest, and I saw a lot of people misconstrue or didn't understand what I was saying" to which he asked Big Tigger what he thought he meant and Tigger response to defending him was "I think what you're trying to say is: 'I love his music and what he brought to the table but I am a father of daughters and you're not going to be around my daughters' " Ludacris responded: "You're a smart man, it's just that simple"[35]
• During the Bounty Killa vs Beenie Man battle, police interrupted the live performance for possible noise or social distancing complaints. The situation was quickly deescalated and the battle continued uninterrupted.
• The May 25, 2020 battle of 112 and Jagged Edge did not feature 112 members Daron Jones & Q Parker, who exited the group in 2019.[36] Legendary R&B Singer Keith Sweat, made a brief on-screen appearance in 112's live stream to show support of both artists. Jagged Edge faced audio technicalities which led to another set of online jokes, where its was also parodied, as well as the boastfulness of 112 teasing their Grammy & MTV Video Music Award for "I'll Be Missing You" and repeatedly flashing Ciroc bottles showing their respect for their past record label manager Bad Boy Records, P. Diddy. Music Producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox was also in attendance as the resident DJ to accompany Jagged Edge.[37]
• During the Special Verzuz tilted "THE HEALING", Kirk Franklin starts off the celebration with some light humor addressing the public about his small, petite height and also who compared his facial resemblance with the hip hop rapper Plies, while playing the keyboard poetically speaking his joke, he also provided comic relief throughout the entire webcast. Fred Hammond breaks down and sheds powerful tears while singing his song, "Just To Be Close to You", Kirk also shares a flirty dance with his wife during his iconic song "Melodies From Heaven". Hammond and Franklin takes a brief moment to call in to send comfort to Ahmaud Arbery's mother, and offer support and prayer. Fred Hammond ended the celebration off with a touching, spiritual final prayer.[38]
• In the Alicia Keys vs John Legend Verzuz, John was constantly teased in the comments for his tropical sweater and simple go to move: The "1-2-Step" dance during his song selections. Alicia made magic reenacting her famous phone call scene from "You Don't Know My Name", accompanied by Legend, who complimented the background vocals and piano chords. John Legend exclusively played 2 newly released singles "You Move, I Move" feat. Jhene Aiko and "Never Break".

The popularity of the series drew interest in actor and comedian Kevin Hart to inspire a spin-off for comedians. Comedian Affion Cockett mentioned that Swizz Beatz also had the thought of making moves in that direction to which Timbaland responded "It's Zone, Zone Time...VERZUZ COMEDY....let's go!" There is no word as of yet, if this may be in development.[39]

VERZUZ has won the Webby Award in the category of Special Achievement – 'Break the Internet' Award in May 2020, breaking the Instagram record for live streaming with over 750K viewers.[40]