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Official big game kick off hosted by trey songzjeezy
Official big game kick off hosted by trey songzjeezy
Photo Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage

T.I. Declines Busta Rhymes' Verzuz Challenge, But is Down to Battle Jeezy

Busta Rhymes challenged T.I. to a Verzuz battle on Instagram Live with Fat Joe.

On Tuesday night, Busta Rhymes joined Fat Joe on Instagram for a conversation about the upcoming election, their careers, and his relationship with the late Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. The most controversial moment of the broadcast, however, came when Busta challenged T.I. to a duel for Season 2 of Verzuz. T.I. declined the offer, but another challenger stepped up to the plate.

"T.I., it is intriguing to me that you have such a concern with New York MCs...from one brother that loves you," he began, "to my brother that knows I love him. I'm begging you to step in the ring with me. I'm gonna bust yo ass." On Wednesday, T.I. took to Instagram to politely decline the offer.

"I respect all call-outs," T.I. replied. "I salute and respect Busta a whole lot. I just think the generational gap might be just a little too much. Actually, Busta and Fat Joe wouldn't be bad." When considering "if not Busta, then who?" T.I. said he already called out who he believes would be the best matchup for him (50 Cent). He also suggested Busta face off against Twista in a battle of tongue-twisting MCs, and pre-empted another widespread suggestion in Young Jeezy.

"Everybody keeps saying me and Young [Jeezy]," he continued, "incredible amount of respect for [Jeezy] and his catalog. If he wanted this smoke, he'd see it. So until Young says something, it's just talk."

In an Instagram post after the fact, Jeezy officially challenged T.I. to square off.

"Say bruh," he said, tagging Swizz Beatz and Timbaland in the post. "You been around the whole world on your campaign, now you're back here. I don't know what you're avoiding me for. But I'll tell you what, since it means that much to you, put a date on it."

As he said before, Tip graciously accepted the offer.

"Order this shit off the menu and you shall be served sir," he wrote. "Now let's see how much heat it takes to melt this snow. ASAP is the date I select sir."

Stay tuned for more official announcements regarding Season 2 of the Verzuz battle series.