Verzuz Cheat Sheet: Hit-Boy x Boi-1da

“I should prolly sign to Hit-Boy ’cause I got all the hits, boy” is something of a nonsensical flex, but you don’t look a gift shout-out in the mouth—especially when it comes from Drake. Hit-Boy took his happily when Drizzy delivered it on 2014’s “0 to 100 / The Catch Up”. At the time, Drake was alluding to records the Fontana, California, producer had made for Kanye West (“Clique”, “Ni**as in Paris” with JAY-Z), Kendrick Lamar (“Backseat Freestyle”), Lil Wayne and Eminem (“Drop the World”) and even Beyoncé (“XO”, “***Flawless”). But it’s a funny line in the context of a Verzuz showdown with Toronto-originating producer Boi-1da, the man responsible for Drake’s aforementioned “0 to 100/The Catch Up”—as well as “Best I Ever Had”, “Over”, “Headlines” and a not-insignificant portion of Drake’s entire catalogue. Which says nothing of the work 1da also did for DJ Khaled (“No New Friends”), Nicki Minaj (“High School” with Lil Wayne), J. Cole (“Deja Vu”) and Rihanna (“Work”, “Sex With Me”), among many others. At a glance, you’d be hard-pressed to determine who had a greater impact on modern-day pop and hip-hop. But as Verzuz battles go, feel free to trust whatever your heart tells you when comparing their marquee selections against each other. The Hit-Boy and Boi-1da Cheat Sheet playlist, curated by Apple Music host Lowkey, gives a deep look at those, their deep cuts and more.