I want to start this off with a big caveat, which is that this is not us having the exclusive on future Verzuz battles… this is us coming up with some of our own ideal Verzuz battles with Latinx artists, because we know that they can bring the shade just as strong as Monica did to Brandy (shhh we love them both!).

As we’re kicking off Latinx Heritage Month (title is a work in progress), I wanted to let my imagination run a little wild and see who I’d want to battle it out on a Verzuz. Now that does not mean you can’t do the same, in fact I’d like you to go ahead and do that… maybe even challenge me on some of these! Feel free to tweet at me which artists you’d want to see go live and maybe we can make it happen (jk, I told you we don’t have the hookup like that!).

Pitbull vs. JLo

Okay so these two are homies, and have a lot of fun hits that can go toe to toe. For example Pitbulls “Give me everything” vs JLo’s “Waiting for Tonight” — Two songs I am sure were played often at Miami clurbs. I also predict this would lead to both of them dancing and battling it out. Quien se mueve mas? Bring your flags! Puerto Rico vs Cuba here we come!

Willie Colón vs. Marc Anthony

Ah hello! Old school vs New school. Willie ran so Marc could walk. OG to young OG. Okay you get the point. This would be incredible for salsa lovers. Now, there are so many salseros that could jump in here, so we wouldn’t mind a few cameos … like Victor Manuelle or Jerry Rivera (those two can have their own battle!). Willie got classics under his belt, such as '“El Dia de mi Suerte” , “ El Gran Varon”, and “Gitana”. He would give Marc a run for his money. As for Mr. Anthony, I am biased but he is top tier and well, here’s a playlist on YT of his greatest hits. Grab a broom and get to sweeping!

Antony Santos vs. Romeo Santos

Another teacher vs the student! Hear me out. Antony Santos is what our tias and uncles were listening to and putting the motions into… Romeo Santos enchanted us through Aventura and swept all of us between the age of 26-40 off our feet. He elevated the sound of BACHATA! Pero, you have to give credit where it is due. And if it weren’t for Antony the genre would not be where it is now. So grab your Brugal and get ready to sing these lyrics baby! Just make sure you’re not in a sad mood already… bachata is like country music, if you feel down and out it will most likely not make you feel any better. I’ll leave you with this clip of Antony Santos joining Aventura at the sold out MSG concert!

Shakira vs. Juanes

Colombia vs Colombia. Ufff, esta divino no? This feels like a friendly fight. One thing these two have in common outside of their country is lyrics for days! They can bring the upbeat and the romantic to the front stage of Verzuz. I can smell the arepas and pandebono already! Don’t mind me, I’m just really hungry as I write this.

Daddy Yankee vs. Bad Bunny

I think I’m starting to see a theme in my choices… but I can’t help myself! Bad Bunny is still relatively new but has already done so much with his music and for the culture (he’s bringing toxic masculinity down one nail art look at a time! and no I am not being sarcastic)— not to mention he already has an incredible catalog. Daddy Yankee on the other hand holds my youth in his hands (I will say another hidden Verzuz here is DY vs Sean Paul!). Anyway, these two Puerto Rican papis can thug it out and make us work off all the delicious snacks we’ve eaten during this pandemic. Not a bad deal at all!

Thalia vs. paulina rubio

I admit… this is more for the drama than anything else. thalia and paulina grew up in the limelight. one was our telenovelas queen and the other was the queen of mexican pop. regardless we are talking 80s-90s tv royalty and if anyone can put on the drama and the shade is these two because the interwebs say they have been frenemies since they were both a part of timbiriche in the mid 80’s. For your own knowledge, this was a big pop group that saw a lot of big stars rise to fame. According to my research, during a performance Thalia and Paulina fought over the mic and the spotlight… they say this is where the beef started. Hopefully this verzuz squashes any rumors and brings them together!

VERZUZ: LATINX EDITION