Mannie Fresh vs Scott Storch: Who won the Instagram Live battle as fans call out the DJ for 'cocaine' jokes?
While we are all taking care to socially distance ourselves amidst the coronavirus pandemic, musicians, rappers, singers and DJs are giving us live performances right from their living rooms. They took it a step further when they introduced Instagram Live battles.
A couple of days ago, it was Ne-Yo vs. Johntá Austin and Sean Garrett vs. The-Dream and before that it was Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland who battled out their hits to fans who responded live. Now, rapper and DJ Mannie Fresh, best known for his decade run at Cash Money Records, and record producer and songwriter Scott Storch battled out their hits and beats on Instagram on April Fools' Day.
Both musicians earlier uploaded the videos where they informed fans that Swizz Beatz and Timbaland had contacted them to coordinate matchups. Storch, who was initially matched up against T-Pain, said, "I just got the call from Tim and Swizz. The paperwork is in. Beat battle: T-Pain vs. Scott Storch. Yo Pain, I know you got some s**t. I know you got some fire. But I've got some fire, too. See you tomorrow night."
Later, the change in the lineup was announced with Mannie Fresh replacing T-Pain. In his video, Mannie said, "Yeah y'all, it's a sad day all around the world. Today, I gotta go pick out a casket for my homeboy Scott Storch. Damn Scott."
He continued. "I always loved you, bro. I always liked you. Sometimes people do stupid things, you know and you gotta pay for it. But damn Scott, why? Why would you do that?"
The battle commenced at 9 pm ET and while Mannie stuck to the classics, Scott brought out all the latest hits. Fans remained divided on who ultimately won the battle, with many conceding that Mannie's poor song selection might have helped Scott take the win.
One fan tweeted, "'You a dog out here you heard me? You produced some shit.' Says Mannie. Another drop clowning Scott Storch played by Mannie Fresh. He prolly should've paid more attention to his song selection. But that's just me. He can only hang on the Cash Money cuts for so long (sic)."
Another wrote, "Scott played Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, and Mannie gon hot boyz us to death. With a sprinkle of TI. Wrap this s**t up."
One user tweeted, "Scott vs Mannie... It felt like Scott has all the mainstream super hits and a few cultural classics and Mannie has all the cultural classics and a few mainstream super hits."
Fans also called out Mannie for bringing in "cocaine jokes". One fan wrote, "Mannie playing this cocaine drop because he losing like shit. Friend. Just act like your power turn off." Another tweeted, "Mannie hitting below the belt with the cocaine jokes." A user wrote, "Mannie still took it too far with the cocaine comment."
However, Mannie's fans are still all in for the DJ. One fan tweeted, "Mannie is culture. Don't you ever forget it." Another wrote, "Scott winning simply off range cuz every song Mannie throwing out is a HOOD CLASSIC that still slaps."
