Case, Carl Thomas set for Verzuz showdown celebrating classic R&B

The singers behind “Touch Me, Tease Me” and “I Wish” will go head-to-head Oct. 22 on Apple Music.

R&B singers Case and Carl Thomas are set to bring their catalogs of love songs, heartbreak anthems and slow jams to the latest installment of VERZUZ.

According to Complex’s Instagram announcement, the artists will face off Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. PDT. The battle will stream live on Apple Music, with a replay available on the platform after the event.

The matchup brings together two singers whose music helped define R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s, giving fans an opportunity to revisit the records that made them staples of the genre.

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Case broke through with “Touch Me, Tease Me,” featuring Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1996 film “The Nutty Professor.” He followed that success with a catalog that includes “Happily Ever After,” a romantic favorite from his 1999 album “Personal Conversation,” and “Missing You,” from 2001’s “Open Letter.” His collaboration with Joe, “Faded Pictures,” also became a memorable entry in his catalog.

Thomas made his mark with Bad Boy Records, releasing his debut album, “Emotional,” in 2000. The platinum-selling project featured some of his best-known songs, including “I Wish,” a reflective record about loss and regret, and “Summer Rain,” a smooth, romantic track that remains a signature hit. The album’s title track also showcased the singer’s expressive vocal style.

Both artists have catalogs that tap into the emotional storytelling at the heart of classic R&B, though their musical journeys and signature records offer different strengths heading into the matchup.

Fans can stream the Case versus Carl Thomas VERZUZ battle on Apple Music beginning Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. PDT. Apple Music has also published a VERZUZ Cheat Sheet playlist featuring songs from both artists to help listeners prepare for the showdown.