Nick Cannon remains his ex-wife’s biggest fan.
During his appearance on “The Breakfast Club” this week, the “Wild ‘N Out” creator was asked if there was anyone who could go up against Mariah Carey in a Verzuz battle.
“The only person in this day and age that could’ve gone against Mariah Carey—because she writes of all her songs, she actually produces all of her songs, she puts the songs together and performs them at a high level—[is] R. Kelly,” said Nick, who shares 10-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, with his ex.
He was met with silence from Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, who eventually responded, “That ain’t gon’ happen.”
Nick admitted that it would never happen because of R. Kelly’s legal woes. “I told you it’s not gon’ happen because of his personal endeavors and all the things.”
Nick went on to praise his ex-wife’s songwriting ability. “Mariah is a musician,” he said. “I’m not impressed by people who can perform songs that it took 30 people to make with you.”
Charlamagne suggested that there are legendary artists like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Rihanna who don’t necessarily write all their own music. However, Nick wasn’t as impressed.
“The greatest are the ones you can put somebody in a room by their damn self and they come back with a hit.”
He also floated the idea of a Verzuz between Mariah and Janet Jackson. “On that level of diva, I would love to see,” said Nick. “Mariah and Janet would be fire.”
But he still thinks that R. Kelly is the only worthy competitor. “If we talking about matching talents—because Mariah is a writer and has written more hits than anybody—the only other person I can think of that has that ability was R. Kelly,” he said.
Despite the sexual abuse allegations facing R. Kelly, Nick says that doesn’t diminish his talent. “We still gotta acknowledge that the man was gifted.”
