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Triller Verzuz Timbaland and Swizz Beatz is settled
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 23 September 2022
Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have settled their legal dispute with Triller, which means the TikTok rival has got rid of one of the three lawsuits filed against it in the last month.
This particular dispute related to the 2021 acquisition by Triller of Verzuz, the livestreamed DJ battle series launched by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz at the start of the COVID lockdowns in spring 2020. The producers claimed that they were still owed money from that deal, $28 million in fact, and that the Triller company had failed to stick to a revised payment schedule agreed earlier this year.
After Timbaland and Swizz Beatz sued Triller for their money, the digital firm insisted that the additional payments were conditional on certain obligations being met by the duo which had not yet been met. The Triller company said in a statement: “We don’t believe they have met the thresholds for that payment yet, but [we] have been trying to resolve it amicably”.
And, it seems, those attempts at reaching an amicable agreement have proven successful. Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have said in a new statement: “Verzuz has always been a platform that is by the artists, for the artists, and with the people. We’re glad to come to an amicable agreement with Triller and continue giving fans the music and community that they’ve come to know and love from the brand”.
Triller co-founder Bobby Sarnevesht added: “Verzuz and Triller will always be a safe place and outlet for creators and their art. Nothing will change that. Creators started this and will continue building it. This is a victorious moment in the Triller and Verzuz relationship as we march together toward the public markets. Stay tuned”.
Oh yes, don’t forget, Triller is busy working its way towards an IPO, which meant a public legal spat with Timbaland and Swizz Beatz was a bit of hassle, given the Triller company needs to convince potential investors that – not only does it have some nifty tech – but it also enjoys solid partnerships with the music and wider entertainment industries.
The second of the three lawsuits recently filed against Triller over unpaid bills, by Sony Music, is also a bit of a hassle in that regard. The third legal battle is with app consultancy Phiture. Legal fun times. But let’s not allow any of that other litigation over-shadow this “victorious moment”.
