The Best Moments From Eve & Trina’s Legendary Female Hip-Hop ‘Verzuz’ Battle



Robyn Mowatt

Robyn Mowatt is a staff writer at Okayplayer where she…

Eve TrinaEve Trina

Photo Credit: Johnny Nunez for WireImage

Eve and Trina served up an enjoyable Verzuz, the battle centered the past era of female hip-hop, but it also shed light on why their deep cuts are essential to the rap canon at large.

It’s ironic that the first female hip-hop Verzuz battle took place the same day that XXL’s Freshman List included four women for the first time ever. On Thursday evening, Trina and Eve shared their greatest hits and proved why they belong in the expansive ’00s rap canon.

Both of the femcees are known for the chokehold they had two different regions in the South and the East Coast. Last night was proof that more than one woman can exist in the rap space and thrive. Believe it or not that’s a conversation that’s often had online and in real-life conversations.

This wasn’t the first Verzuz featuring women acts. In the past Erykah Badu and Jill Scott appeared as two kindred spirits virtually, Brandy and Monica faced off in Atlanta together, also who could forget Keyshia Cole and Ashanti’s R&B battle? Most recently SWV and Xscape blessed their fans with a live-streamed celebration.

Even though Eve was broadcasting from London, the appreciation she had for Trina was hard to ignore. Similarly, Trina who was live from Miami’s LIV wasn’t afraid to bop and vibe to Eve’s biggest singles and tracks throughout her career. It was a beautiful thing to see both legendary acts mention the favorites from one another’s catalogs.

For all the hip-hop heads who thoroughly enjoyed the ‘90s and early ‘00s, below we’re listing all of our favorite moments from the evening. Also, as always we’re sharing the best tweets of the evening.

1. Trina’s “Da Baddest Bitch” vs. Eve’s “Tambourine”

Trina’s “Da Baddest Bitch” is honestly a hell of a start to the evening, mainly because this track still rings off like it’s not 21 years old. The Miami rapper’s debut single still is packed with a lot of energy. Eve then shares her well-received 2007 single “Tambourine,” she also adds she wishes she was in Miami to enjoy this moment.

2. Webbie feat. Trina “Bad Bitch (Remix)” vs. Eve feat. Nokio the N-Tity “What Ya’ll Want (Remix)”

Honestly, Trina’s verse on “Bad Bitch (Remix)” is unforgettable. But, Eve’s “What Ya’ll Want” is also a banger. It was a bit hard to decide which track rang off harder.

3. Trina’s “Pull Over” vs. DJ Clue feat. DMX, Drag-On, Eve, Jadakiss & Styles P’s “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem (Remix)”

Down South, “Pull Over” is a track a DJ can throw on and it’ll get the crowd going. Similarly, last night Trina sparked something when the single was played, there were even background dancers who twerked. Eve also shared, “That is my shit” when the song was about to wrap. But, then she shared “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem (Remix)” and shared a moment for the late rapper DMX and allowed his verse to play with no interruption.

4. Trina’s “Single Again” vs. Missy Elliott feat. Eve, Nas, Lil’ Mo & Q-Tip’s “Hot Boyz (Remix)”

As soon as some rap fans hear “Yep, yep, I’m back” they already know what time it is. “Single Again” is a timeless bop that never gets old. Also, it doesn’t hurt that this 2008 single was produced by J-Roc and Timbaland. This is undeniably a legendary moment for Trina. Eve’s appearance on Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boyz (Remix)” is the perfect match for the Miami rapper’s classic hit.

5. Trina feat. Kelly Rowland’s “Here We Go” vs. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”

“Here We Go” is an infamous breakup anthem off of Trina’s 2005 album Glamorest Life. By the time Trina queues this up, it’s clear she is just getting started with her deep cuts from years ago. Who can resist Force MD’s “Tender Love” sample? We can’t. Next up is Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Gwen Stefani. This is a banger and it also happens to be Eve’s highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 single (No. 2).

6. Yo Gotti feat. Trina, Nicki Minaj & Gucci Mane’s “5 Star” vs. City High feat. Eve’s “Caramel (Remix)”

“5 Star” was a great selection for this moment, it definitely has high octane energy that was needed. City High’s “Caramel (Remix)” was the perfect pairing for this moment, especially because City High is an underrated group. Remember “What Would You Do” on BET’s 106 & Park? We do.

7. Trina’s “F—k Boy” vs. Eve’s “Satisfaction”

“F—k Boy” is really, really it. It’s another deep cut that gets the people going, especially if you’re into Southern female rappers. For this track, Trina gets in her bag and gives the people exactly what they want, her stage presence here is unmatched. Eve’s performance of “Satisfaction” is packed with the same level of energy Trina served up.

8. Trick Daddy feat. Trina & Slip-N-Slide Express’ “Take it to Da House” vs. Eve’s “Give It To You”

We’re biased. “Take it to Da House” is a hit that sticks like grits. It’s one of the best Southern hip-hop songs of all time. It’s kind of a miss when Eve queues up “Give It To You” with Sean Paul, but we’ll take it.

9. Trina feat. Killer Mike’s “Look Back at Me” vs. Eve feat. Drag-On & Swizz Beatz’ “Got What You Need”

“Look Back At Me” is yet another track that has a certain je ne sais quoi that only Trina can provide. Her wordplay is also unmatched on this track off of Still Da Baddest, her 2008 album. Elsewhere, Eve’s “Got What You Need” is an attempt at matching “Look Back At Me,” but it doesn’t hit as hard.

10. Latto feat. Trina & Saweetie’s “B—h From Da Souf (Remix)” vs. Kelly Rowland feat. Eve’s “Bump This”

This was a memorable moment, Trina made it clear that she wanted to provide a bit of shine on the newest generation of female rappers. So, her DJ throws on Latto’s “Bitch From Da Souf (Remix)” that she appears on.

11. Trina’s “Red Bottoms” vs. Eve feat. Alicia Keys’s “Gangsta Lovin”

“Red Bottoms” was a cultural reset, it had a lot of folks down South in a chokehold. Seeing Trina step into this moment with literal Louboutins on is everything. While this was it, Eve’s “Gangsta Lovin” provides some fierce competition, it’s really the hook for us, but also it might just be one of the most distinct tracks by the Philadelphia-bred rapper.

12. Trick Daddy feat. Trina’s “Nann N—a” vs. Eve’s “Who’s That Girl?”

Just when you actually thought Trick Daddy wasn’t going to make an appearance, he pops up for this live rendition of “Nann N—a” featuring Trina. At just 19, she served up explicit, vulgar lyrics that spoke to her life in Miami as a realtor, but also as someone who was active in the nightlife scene there ever since she was a teen. Eve’s “Who’s That Girl” is once again the perfect match, since it’s a classic.

Final Moment & Closing Thoughts

The battle is just about over before Trina has her DJ premiere her newest single “Receipts.” It’s honestly a good look, we’re into it. She raps a few verses before things wrap.

Overall, both Trina and Eve successfully displayed a few of their most successful hits, especially those that topped Billboard’s charts during the ‘00s. Sometimes we don’t select a winner, but Trina is our winner based off the fact that she really brought an energy that allowed fans to fully see her, and she also stood firmly in her power. It was a bit hard to feed off Eve’s energy since she was all the way in London, but we admit, she did the best she could. Regardless, last night was momentous, it’s not everyday that female hip-hop legends are allotted space to revel in their brilliance.

Watch the entire battle below.