The Truth About Brandy And Monica's Relationship
R&B singers Brandy and Monica were the divas of the '90s. As two talented young Black women in R&B with parallel careers, comparisons between the two dominated all conversation surrounding the artists.
The 1998 collaboration "The Boy Is Mine," which won both singers their only Grammy, portrays typical teenage drama with two young girls in a fight over one guy. The feud-centered song only intensified already swirling rumors that the two singers hated each other. A rumor, Brandy claims, that wasn't totally fair.
In an interview with The Guardian, Brandy explained how she partially blames the fans.
"For us to be put against each other like that, I didn't think that was funny at all," said Brandy. "We didn't really get a chance to experience what we could have with 'The Boy Is Mine.' The fan bases and the media really threw a wrench in that experience."
So was the public feud just a facade?
Brandy admits they 'played into' the feud
Brandy and Monica first performed their single "The Boy Is Mine" together at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, but the performance was surrounded by drama. Rumors began that Brandy allegedly gave Monica a black eye before the show, according to MTV News. Both camps of the singers denied the reports at the time.
As Brandy prepped the release of her album B7 in July 2020, she reminisced on the record that caused the decades-long feud to Zane Lowe on Apple Music, according to Hollywood Life.
"I knew that just with the topic of the song, it needed Monica on it. I thought that she just brought such an amazing flavor, an amazing swag to the song and every time I hear it, it sounds fresh and new to this day," said Brandy.
She continued, "And I think, especially when you say Monica and myself, I mean, that song was about a boy and it was about us competing over a boy. And so naturally people are going to put us against each other even more because of the topic of the song and what we're speaking about. So we played into the competitiveness of it."
Brandy went on to tell Lowe she believes "The Boy Is Mine" inspired Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to put aside their competitive nature and collaborate on "When You Believe."
The feud rumors still endure today
Since the 1990s, Brandy and Monica have not reunited to collaborate. Their feud, although sparked by their 1998 hit, had some lasting effects.
In 2016, when social media started a viral #SoGoneChallenge making raps to Monica's 2003 hit "So Gone," a fan tweeted at Brandy to ask if she would join in. The singer responded "Chile Bye," seemingly still feeding into the 20-year feud, according to Rap Up.
Monica responded to controversy while visiting daytime talk show The Real, saying "I'm not bothered at all." The R&B singer said she was on a journey of "self-progression and self-love and empowerment," and "can't go backwards."
Monica did, however, claim she would work with Brandy again. "It's never been an easy situation, but the reason I would do it is because we are from a special elite group. It was her, Aaliyah, and myself and it was a very special time where each of us were individuals, we did our own thing, and we all made our own mark. And the truth and reality of it is that the only Grammy either of us has is together. So, that to me says something special. So yeah, I absolutely would" (via Rap Up).
Will Brandy and Monica ever reconcile?
Whether the feud was fake, slightly real, or over-blown, music lovers are still waiting for the fight to be over between the two R&B sensations.
One opportunity for reconciliation came up when fans called for a Brandy and Monica Verzuz, an Instagram program in which legendary artists "battle" each other with their top hits. After record numbers when Jill Scott and Erykah Badu came together for a night of neo-soul, the next obvious female-powerhouse pairing seemed to be Brandy and Monica, but are the two into the idea? Not really.
According to The Source, Brandy shared in an interview with V 103 Atlanta's Frank Ski that Monica turned down the offer.
"I heard that she doesn't wanna do it," said Brandy. "The last thing I heard is she pretty much turned it down, she didn't want to be a part of that, but I understand."
Only time will tell whether Brandy and Monica will ever release a part two to their legendary hit.