As both Brandy and Monica have said on their respective Instagram accounts, this event is historic. More than 20 years ago, the duo faced off on the track “The Boy Is Mine,” which appeared on Brandy’s 1998 album Never Say Never. Now, on August 31st, Brandy and Monica will be reconnecting and live streaming from Atlanta, Georgia for a new music battle. This reunion may just crack Earth in half, but we’re okay with it. This is the cultural reset we’ve been crossing our fingers for.
At 8 p.m. ET on the 31st, Brandy and Monica will go live from Tyler Perry Studios on Verzuz, the Swizz Beatz and Timbaland-created platform that pits old rivals and music bigwigs against each other for a nostalgic (and highly entertaining) show. It’s done all in good fun, and the fact that it’s shot live over Instagram makes all the flubs, jokes, and burns so much sweeter.
The celebs that appear on Verzuz can interact with fans in real-time. Monica is already engaging with her fanbase. “What songs would you all like to see us bring to @verzuztv !!” she posted on Instagram on August 22nd.
Celebrating these catalogs is for the culture with love! From Young Women to Adult Women we’ve been with y’all! Name the songs you love, Monica wrote.
Okay, well, duh, “The Boy Is Mine” simply must be at the top of the list. And TBH, we wouldn’t mind if the bop received at least three encores. But we’re also ready for our grade-school tearjerkers, “For You I Will” by Monica and “Have You Ever” by Brandy. Can’t you practically smell the middle school gymnasium slow dances?
Though Brandy released an album, B7, in June 2020, Monica hasn’t released a new album since 2015’s Code Red, so it will be a thrill to see both artists back at it again, in person.
Tune into the Verzuz Instagram on August 31st at 8 p.m. ET to see our girls go at it and party like it’s 1998 all over again.