R&B veterans Case and Carl Thomas are bringing their catalogs of slow jams and heartbreak anthems to the Verzuz stage for a showdown celebrating the genre’s late-1990s and early-2000s era.
The singers are scheduled to face off Thursday, October 22, with the event set to begin at 6 p.m. PT and 9 p.m. ET. According to the supplied announcement, fans can watch through Apple Music, Complex and official Verzuz social media channels.
The matchup follows the platform’s August battle between Joe and Donell Jones, continuing its focus on artists whose music helped shape modern R&B.
For fans who grew up with the era’s radio staples, the upcoming battle brings together two singers with distinct musical identities and a collection of enduring hits.
Case Brings the Hits
Case built his reputation with a blend of traditional R&B vocals, hip-hop collaborations and emotionally driven ballads.
His breakout single, “Touch Me, Tease Me,” released in 1996, featured Mary J. Blige and Foxy Brown. He later scored another major success with “Missing You,” while songs such as “Happily Ever After” and “Faded Pictures” remain among the best-known records associated with his catalog.
His music offers a mix of romantic slow jams and collaborations that reflect the close relationship between R&B and hip-hop during the period.
Case has continued releasing music in recent years, giving the Verzuz appearance a chance to showcase both familiar favorites and material beyond his best-known hits.
Carl Thomas Represents the Bad Boy Era
Thomas rose to prominence with his 2000 debut album, Emotional, released through Bad Boy Records. The platinum-selling project established him as one of the era’s defining R&B voices.
His signature single, “I Wish,” became a major hit, while “Summer Rain” and the album’s title track further cemented his reputation for emotionally direct storytelling.
Thomas’ catalog leans heavily into heartbreak, vulnerability and soulful vocal performances, giving him a different musical lane from Case’s blend of R&B and hip-hop influences.
Thomas has also revisited his earlier work, including a recently released remix of “Emotional,” according to the supplied report.
How to Prepare for the Verzuz Battle
Apple Music has released an official Verzuz Cheat Sheet playlist featuring essential songs from both singers, offering listeners an opportunity to revisit their catalogs before the event.
The matchup is expected to bring familiar hits into conversation while highlighting the different sounds and approaches that helped both artists build their careers.
For Case and Carl Thomas, the battle is a celebration of an era when R&B delivered some of its most recognizable love songs, breakup anthems and radio staples.
The Verzuz showdown is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). Fans should check the official Verzuz and streaming-platform channels for any updates to the broadcast details.
