Fans React to Keyshia Cole and Ashanti's Long-Awaited 'Verzuz' Battle

More than 1 million Instagram users tuned in to Thursday's night battle, which got off to a not so smooth start. Read some of the reactions here.

Keyshia Cole and Ashanti
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Image via Getty/Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Keyshia Cole and Ashanti

After weeks of anticipation and multiple postponementsKeyshia Cole and Ashanti's Verzuz battle went down Thursday night; however, it didn't get off to the smoothest start.

The long-awaited livestream was scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, but didn't begin until about an hour later. Viewers didn't hesitate to express their frustration on social media, especially after the artists seemingly rushed through rounds in the interest of saving time. Ashanti appeared to poke fun at the delay by playing her and Ja Rule's 2001 hit "Always on Time," and telling the audience: "Just in case some of y’all were late."

Keyshia Cole and Ashanti kept pushing this versus back and have the audacity to be almost an hour late and I’m tired #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/GrrlyULJ8K

— Ayanna 🤍 (@yanna_jeniece) January 22, 2021

Ashanti looks like every woman waiting on her late best friend at the brunch spot. #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/wXZVd9WIw8

— His Loss (@yourdadsfav40) January 22, 2021

Y'all wouldn't have to rush if you came ON TIME. #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/57Z0k6CZWY

— TwtMeme (@TwtTwtmeme) January 22, 2021

Ashanti looks like every woman waiting on her late best friend at the brunch spot. #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/wXZVd9WIw8

— His Loss (@yourdadsfav40) January 22, 2021

How you gonna have a song called “Always On Time” and show up 55 minutes late???? #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/5LXO8fOR39

— 🇻🇮🇹🇹🇻🇮 (@DuttyJermz) January 22, 2021

Us when we see Keyshia Cole show up without the gap or red and blonde hair and she had the nerve to be an 1 hr late 😂😂😂 #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/3itnGRUqzK

— Certified Munch 👅 (@she_lesbiann) January 22, 2021

Some fans also pointed out that Cole appeared to be somewhat miffed at the beginning of the event, which, of course, set a bad tone.

Baby, not the attitude. We was waiting on you at the DO’ #verzuz

— Raquel Willis (she/her) (@RaquelWillis_) January 22, 2021

I can relate to Keyshia actually cause I be showing up to work late with an attitude too. #Verzuz

— jojo (@_jwigz) January 22, 2021

Keyshia attitude got me like #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/uwA4SpDtBc

— ARIES ROYALTY👸🏽 (@AsToldByEsha) January 22, 2021

But thankfully for viewers, Cole appeared to be having more fun as the battle progressed, with some suspecting the shift was alcohol-induced.

#Verzuz

Keyshia Cole attitude after a few sips....... pic.twitter.com/O81edHFFsn

— Vonea (@MineGreenEyes) January 22, 2021

Keyshia Cole drink kicking in I see🤣 🍹🍸#VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/bxAtYrFFAN

— ✊🏿BLACK POWER✊🏿 (@ms_showers1990) January 22, 2021

whatever keyshia cole is drinking is what i’ll be on when outside opens #verzuz

— nadirah (@hinadirah) January 22, 2021

Keyshia Cole drunk as hell during the VERZUZ 😂😂😂

— june 16th 🫶🏾💗 (@lanece2lateese) January 22, 2021

Oh, and on top of all that, there were also some sound issues.

Sound & Audio provided for tonight’s #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/9JnnLB9k2Z

— Petty Slimane (@LilAioli) January 22, 2021

What in the 2006 is this sound quality... I feel like im sittin outside with an atenna radio and its busted on one side and when you walk past it, it just fades out...... #Verzuz #verzuzbattle pic.twitter.com/4woIzj5R9i

— LethalGamezz (@LethalGamezz) January 22, 2021

I blame the #Verzuz production for this!!!! Ugh pic.twitter.com/OXt7veIdJW

— kalamarose (@kalamarose1) January 22, 2021

We can’t hear! The volume on 3 #Verzuz

— why are you hanging with these ppl (@dabigbodybaddie) January 22, 2021

But fans weren't left completely disappointed. Some who tuned in said they enjoyed the nostalgia factor and revisiting their favorite R&B hits from the aughts. And although they didn't end the battle with their joint track, "Woman to Woman," Cole and Ashanti gifted fans with new music before signing off.

You can read more reactions to the battle below.

The Verzuz started off a lil shaky but ended up being a great vibe

— My Turn 🐐 (@carlcp4) January 22, 2021

 

The #Verzuz ended up being decent. I love me some Ashanti.

— All Of This Is Made Up. (@HiChandraM) January 22, 2021

 

"SANG IT, GIRL!"

21 hilarious 😭 #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/aLKhKC5sko

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) January 22, 2021

 

It felt so good dancing and singing along to Keyshia Cole and Ashanti’s songs during their Verzuz battle.. they’re both very talented, amazing artists and they both make great music.. they both WON. 😭🙌🏾💖

— Brittany Danielle ✨ (@icy_bluxequeen) January 22, 2021

 

 

The Verzuz definitelyyyy could’ve been better but I enjoyed it

— e world. 🤎🪐 (@ErinLashay15) January 22, 2021

 

Damn, they shut #Verzuz down quicker than they brought it up. I enjoyed myself though.

— Reese 💜♓️🏳️‍🌈💉 BSN, RN (@Mshadz) January 22, 2021

 

I will say. This was a fun Verzuz. Yeah they was late and yeah Keyshia came with an attitude but she started to loosen up. I don’t remember the number of songs played but slight edge to Keyshia. Like 1-2 song difference

— Most Ballinest Playa (@jaay_cool) January 22, 2021

 

Keyshia: “Ciroc aint cut me no check”

Ashanti: “They gave me one”

SIS IS PETTY 😂 #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/h2IxL8RMtM

— Deanna⁷ ♡ (@bxby_taetae) January 22, 2021

 

The best moment of the night 😂#Verzuz pic.twitter.com/UcJ39z8cSw

— KP🩷 (@__therealkp__) January 22, 2021

 

My friend: “Who won the battle tonight??”#Verzuz

Me: the liquor that Keyshia was drinking & Ashanti’s damn phone pic.twitter.com/ePItZj4cBj

— Liz (@itsonlylizx3) January 22, 2021

 

Keyshia: “so I get to go first”
Ashanti: #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/TPglRaDzmU

— Harmonyy (@harmonynevay) January 22, 2021

 

 

“ I USE TO THINK THAT I WASNT FINE ENOUGHH & I USE TO THINK THAT I WASNT WILD ENOUGH”
#Verzuz pic.twitter.com/pCEQBxS0Xe

— realbarb (@amourrlindaa) January 22, 2021

 

Me seeing Ashanti getting the flowers she deserves ✨#Verzuz pic.twitter.com/uRESugMxyL

— Reece (@Reece28488434) January 22, 2021

 

 

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