Joe came into the latest Verzuz matchup with a deep R&B catalog. He left with the night’s biggest moment after bringing 50 Cent to the stage.
The nostalgia-heavy battle pitted Joe against fellow R&B veteran Donell Jones, with both artists revisiting songs that helped define the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although the event was framed as a celebration of their careers rather than a strict competition, Joe ultimately emerged as the night’s standout.
The evening opened with a warm-up performance from Estelle before the two headliners began trading their signature records.
Jones got an early boost by bringing 702 onto the stage. The group performed its 1996 classic “Get It Together,” which Jones famously wrote and produced.
That reunion gave Jones a major nostalgia moment while highlighting his influence beyond his own solo catalog.
Joe then leaned into some of his biggest records, performing “Don’t Wanna Be a Player” along with his contribution to Big Pun’s “Still Not a Player.”
Then came the surprise.
Joe brought out 50 Cent, who arrived alongside G-Unit associates Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda. Together, they performed the 2003 collaboration “Wanna Get to Know You.”
The Queens rapper’s appearance changed the energy in the room and gave Joe another major moment in the battle.
Joe and 50 Cent also performed “Big Rich Town,” the widely recognized theme song from the television series Power. The surprise appearances appeared to strengthen Joe’s position as the battle moved through its later rounds.
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Viewers and live voters increasingly favored Joe’s side, with his vocal consistency, stage presence and extensive catalog becoming difficult to counter. Jones, meanwhile, received praise for his songwriting legacy and the 702 reunion.
The matchup also served as a reminder of how closely R&B and hip-hop were connected during the era both artists represented. Jones’ work with 702 and Joe’s collaborations with artists such as Big Pun and 50 Cent showed just how much crossover defined that period.
By the end of the night, the general consensus was that Joe secured the win, with his catalog and surprise guests giving him the advantage.
But the real victory was nostalgia. From 702’s reunion to 50 Cent stepping onstage, the Verzuz battle turned into a trip back to an era when the biggest R&B records and hip-hop collaborations shared the same soundtrack.
