Essence Fest and Verzuz paired Keith Sweat with Bobby Brown for a session that had everyone ready to clean their houses and make babies.
The match occurred on Thursday night and kicked off the second weekend of the Essence Festival, which is virtual this year. The show started off extra as the men appeared on spinning thrones as they were introduced by DJ Cassidy. Sweat’s “Something Ain’t Right” kicked off Verzuz, and Brown followed him with “Don’t Be Cruel.”
After that, they were off, and Twitter was there every step of the way. Sweat acting like the drunk uncle at the BBQ had everyone amused and concerned. The “Nobody” singer was so twisted he started singing to his drink.
Lmaoooooo Keith Sweat is singing to the Ciroc 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂#Verzuz pic.twitter.com/XjUly49eyR
— Pfizer Papi aka B E A N Z (@photosbybeanz83) July 2, 2021
Boy I know Uncle Keith Sweat head gone be pounding this morning. 🤣🤣 homie was singing to the Ciroc at one ☝🏾 point 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #VERZUZ
— Carolina Cowboy 💥🤠🐗 (@blendz_marley) July 2, 2021
“Boy, I know Uncle Keith Sweat head gone be pounding this morning,” laughed one user. “Homie was singing to the Ciroc at one point.”
Baaaaabbbbbyyyy the drink got Keith feeling right #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/OhaCtbch6f
— 𝔬𝔰ᵃ 🧚🏾 (@osasweeet) July 2, 2021
The tipsy crooner even told DJ Cassidy he would have mugged him when he was younger.
“You got a lot of jewelry on,” Sweat told him. “I would have got you back in the day.”
#VERZUZ DJ Cassidy backstage running from Keith Sweat pic.twitter.com/MU62Sn4AkX
— robette 🇭🇹🇯🇲 (@1992_rp) July 2, 2021
keith sweat robbed some of your uncles back in the day and they texting u right now like "nobody trying to watch that nonsense"
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) July 2, 2021
Even though Sweat was drunk as hell, his vocals were on point. Many complimented him on his showmanship.
“The fact that Keith Sweat still looks + sounds this GOOD is proof that black men are top tier,” noted one viewer.
the fact that Keith Sweat still looks + sounds this GOOD is proof that black men are top tier #VERZUZ
— Jessica (@JMMore1) July 2, 2021
Keith Sweat is nearly 60 and he’s sounding better than half of these singers out here👀.
That’s what I call pure talent🔥#VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/o7BDYlxCzR
— angelll (@darealangel1) July 2, 2021
When he dropped Drake’s “light-skinned Keith Sweat” line from “All Me” to transition to his hit “Make It Last Forever,” he shut it down. Sweat admitted he was a fan of the song when it came out a few years ago.
“Out of all the R&B artists that have come out, I think my name has been used most in hip-hop songs,” he told Complex in 2013. “It’s real flattering to know that someone who is on the top of their game will still acknowledge my music and what I’ve done.”
Keith Sweat transitioned Drake’s “All Me” verse into “Make It Last Forever” during tonight’s #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/jiqJIWxm9p
— Rap Alert (@rapalert3) July 2, 2021
Twitter also enjoyed the cameo.
That boy Keith Sweat chopped up the Drake and rolled into make it last forever 🔥🔥🔥
— DJ Green (@_Flight219) July 2, 2021
“That boy Keith Sweat chopped up the Drake and rolled into make it last forever,” wrote one person. There were copious amounts of fire emojis on the timeline.
I’m crying because I definitely had Keith playing Drake’s “I’m the light skinned Keith Sweat I can make it last forever” on my Verzuz bingo card. I’m so glad he did it before playing the song. 😂😂😂
— Sylvia No Apostrophe Obell (@SylviaObell) July 2, 2021
Not Keith Sweat having the dj punch the Drake drop talking bout "I'm the light skin Keith Sweat" and segwaying into make it last forever 😂
— Fly Cayla (@FlyCayla) July 2, 2021
Meanwhile, many folks were concerned about Brown, who used to be known for his rambunctious shows. His vocals were a bit shaky as he sang along to some of his hits.
“New Edition is absolutely my favorite group of my era. No doubt. Bobby Brown is an entertainer! No doubt. But man o man, he don’t have his voice…he needs those tracks louder. Still love the brotha tho! And it’s quite entertaining and nostalgic,” admitted one fan.
Bobby Brown after trying to hit notes from when he was fuckin 12!#VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/nn2hwUTBKQ
— TyeRose (@TyeRose1) July 2, 2021
New Edition is absolutely my favorite group of my era. No doubt. Bobby Brown is an entertainer! No doubt. But man o man, he don’t have his voice…he needs those tracks louder. Still love the brotha tho! And it’s quite entertaining and nostalgic. #VERZUZ
— T.J. Smith (@TJSmithSocial) July 2, 2021
Bobby Brown after every single pic.twitter.com/s72nCqtM44
— DJ R-Tistic (@DJRTistic) July 2, 2021
Despite the critiques, it’s clear the fans got a lot of love for Brown and are happy to see him doing well.
Bobby Brown has lost so much. And he’s still here. Happy to see him getting this shine.
— Flying Fisherman (@metro_man) July 2, 2021
All jokes aside, Bobby Brown has experienced so much loss and heartache it’s a wonder he can even get up in the morning. I’m glad he can still have fun and that he’s being celebrated tonight. #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/ywxhzYb79b
— Queen of Zamunda (@HouseJones_) July 2, 2021
“All jokes aside, Bobby Brown has experienced so much loss and heartache it’s a wonder he can even get up in the morning. I’m glad he can still have fun and that he’s being celebrated tonight,” one tweet read.
“Y’all not about to slander Bobby Brown. His voice ain’t there no more, but he’s a legend in this R&B shit,” warned another.
*sigh* Folks are gonna make me defend Bobby Brown as a musical talent. The spiral that happened afterward makes folks forget he’s one of the most significant performers of the new jack swing era & helped usher the transition from 80s r&b to 90s hip hop/r&b acts
— DEFUND & ABOLISH POLICE, REFUND OUR COMMUNITIES (@BreeNewsome) June 30, 2021
Y’all not about to slander Bobby Brown. His voice ain’t there no more but he’s a legend in this R&B shit #Respect #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/fDQto6JMmx
— FancyCakez (@_2fcknfancy_) July 2, 2021
Another notable moment included Brown playing “Something In Common” in tribute to ex-wife Whitney Houston. Sweat also big upped an ancestor when he played “How Do You Like It? (Part 2),” which features the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
Jokes were flying, but it was clear R&B fans had a good time celebrating these talented men. As DJ Cassidy noted, Sweat and Brown are “Kings of the culture.”
it’s bobby swinging the towel in the back for me😭 #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/yGPoCcglmH
— ✨ (@tIkingtothemoon) July 2, 2021
Uncle Bobby and Keith Sweat did what had to be done. #VERZUZ #verzuztv pic.twitter.com/w0K86oJbnt
— SWEET JONES. (@cocoabean_xo) July 2, 2021
Verzuz hasn’t announced any upcoming matches, but the show’s Instagram page claims it will go international.
