All it took was a shocking 1.2 million audiences on Instagram alone during Brandy and Monica’s Verzuz battle Monday night (Aug. 31) to remind the world how next-level their respective brochures are.
After being pitted against each other for more than two decades following their classic 1998 duet “The Kid Is Mine,” the respect shared in between two of modern R&B’s most prominent stars was a delight to see. Not just were fans able to view the singers celebrate each other’s successes– amidst a couple of minutes of rather inevitable stress– however they also received a message from Vice Presidential prospect Kamala Harris, who called in with a live video message for the 2 stars, thanking them for their contributions to the culture and utilizing the platform to encourage voters to hit the polls this approaching November.
After Harris spoke, the battle was underway, providing a brilliant 20- round exhibition of Black Woman Magic. See Signboard’ s main scorecard for the record-setting event listed below.
Round 1: Brandy’s “What About United States?” vs. Monica’s “Whatever to Me”
WINNER: Brandy
Round 2: Brandy’s “He Is” vs. Monica’s “A Lots Roses”
Called a “fan favorite,” Brandy decreases the pace after her fiery entrance with her spellbinding deep cut from Moon She ruminates about how her 2002 effort didn’t load as numerous singles as she may’ve liked, however discovers a gleaming cut here. Monica effusively praises Brandy for her “unrivaled” tone, before returning in the video game her dulcet track “A Lots Roses.” With Missy in tow, Monica shows why she and the hip-hop star were such an outstanding tandem in the 2000 s.
WINNER: Monica
Round 3: Brandy’s “Moon” vs. Monica’s “So Gone”
Brandy declines to strike eject on her Moon album and opts to play its most mouthwatering single with its title-track single. Swaying back and forth, both Brandy and Monica dance in unison to the immediate classic. ‘Full Moon’ is so serious,” gushes Monica after the song’s conclusion. Mo issues an impressive comeback with her 2000 s scorcher “So Gone,” which she exposes found her at a crossroads in her life romantically. “I’m done beginning doors,” she playfully quips.
WINNER: Monica
Round 4: Brandy’s “I Wan na Be Down” vs. Monica’s “Do not Take It Individual”
Debut single face-off.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 5: Brandy’s “Baby” Vs. Monica’s “Like This and Like That”
Brandy is formally in her component.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 6: Brandy’s “Angel in Disguise” vs. Monica’s “U Must’ve Understood Better”
Dating back to her 1998 sophomore effort Never Say Never Ever, Brandy reviews sampling Joe for the criminally underrated track “Angel in Disguise,” prior to diving into her decision to stay single. Monica matches Brandy’s heartbreak with the melancholy “U Must’ve Known Better,” and even sings a cappella to make the tearful anthem that much more powerful for R&B purists.
WINNER: Monica
Round 7: Brandy, Chaka Khan, Tamia & Gladys Knight’s “Missing You” Vs. Monica’s “For You I Will”
Brandy’s showmanship continues to shine throughout this match early on. Here, she pays homage to fallen figures in the Black neighborhood such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston prior to playing the packed Set It Off soundtrack cut “Missing You,” taped alongside Chaka Khan, Tamia and Gladys Knight. Monica also shows love to the Bryant family by speaking on how “For You I Will” stays an impactful song for Kobe’s other half Vanessa. “That tune I was just 17, and that was for Area Jam,” states Monica. “Motion pictures and soundtracks simply strike various back then.”
WINNER: Tie
Round 8: Brandy’s “Almost Does not Count” vs. Monica’s “Why I Love You A Lot”
Journeying back to Never Say Never Ever, Brandy states the pressure of love prior to making applause from Monica for “Practically Doesn’t Count.” Monica masterfully keeps the train of adoration keeping up “Why I Love You A Lot,” before getting a sea of “Ayes” for her sonorous vocals at the record’s tail-end.
WINNER: Tie
Round 9: Brandy’s “Brokenhearted” vs. Monica’s “Love All Over Me”
After recognizing they reached an unfathomable 1.2 million views on their match, Brandy chooses to take a request from her opponent. The ’90 s break-up anthem quickly has the comment section in shambles.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 10: Monica accomplishment. Rick Ross & Lil Kim’s “Anything (To Discover You)” vs. Brandy accomplishment. Ma$ e’s “Top of the World”
After a short intermission and an order turnaround, Monica emerges with the bombastic club starter “Anything (To Discover You), which tested Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya.” Brandy brings the heavy weapons, promoting the ’90 s bop “Top of the World.” Ma$ e’s smooth opener is still a showstopper no matter the decade. What a method to start the second half.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 11: Monica feat. Ludacris’ “Still Standing” Brandy’s “Borderline”
Acknowledging her abrasive ways, Monica owns her past errors on the 2008 record “Still Standing” with Ludacris.
WINNER: Monica
Round 12: Monica’s “Dedication” vs. Brandy accomplishment. Daniel Caesar’s “Love Again”
Monica discuss the significance to go independent, and how that liberating experience took her 2019 single “Commitment,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Signboard’s Grownup Songs Airplay chart. To neutralize Monica’s effort, Brandy accelerates her Grammy-nominated duet “Love Again” with R&B crooner Daniel Caesar, and dashes across the finish line this round.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 13: Usher feat. Monica’s “Slow Jam” vs. Brandy feat. Usher’s “Put It Down”
Monica moonwalks back into the ’90 s with an unique cheat code by unwrapping her “Slow Jam” collaboration with Usher.
WINNER: Monica
Round 14: Monica’s “The First Night” vs. Brandy’s “Who Is She 2 U”
Remaining In her ’90 s pocket, Monica releases her Jermaine Dupri-produced record “The Opening night” as she avoids the idea of being lusty from the beginning. Brandy jumps back with momentum by reeling in Verzuz co-founder Timbaland for the syrupy Afrodisiac single “Who Is She 2 U.”
WINNER: Tie
Round 15: Monica’s “Knock Knock” vs. Brandy’s “Buddy ”
Monica and Missy strike once again with another wonderful heater in After the Storm’s “Knock Knock,” solidifying their presence as one of R&B’s leading tandem.
WINNER: Monica
Round 16: Monica “Prior To You Walk Out Of My Life” vs. Brandy’s “Staying up In My Space”
It’s all about the white shoes. Monica breaks down the videos shot in Los Angeles when pushing play on “Prior to You Go out of My Life” from Ms. Thang— a song she considers as “among her favorites to sing to this day.” Brandy’s story of “Sitting Up in My Room” speaks with connecting with one of her favorites in Babyface (also a Verzuz alum) for the very first time, while again boasting about an on-record shout-out, this time from Big deal via Life After Death‘s “Another.” Great flex by Brandy.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 17: Monica task. Dem Franchize Boyz’s “Everytime Tha Beat Drop” vs. Brandy accomplishment. Kanye West’s “Speak about Love”
Monica takes a trip to the A-Town in Round 17 with another Jermaine Dupri-produced hit.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 18: Monica’s “Sideline Ho” vs. Brandy’s “Put That on Everything”
Transporting her inner City Girl, Monica peels back into her 2007 single “Sideline Ho” and axes the concept of playing the 2nd alternative in relationships. Monica edges Brandy’s Never Ever Say Never Ever track by peppering the ad-libs with the word “ho” and supplying funny banter throughout.
WINNER: Monica
Round 19: Brandy’s “When You Touch Me” vs. Keyshia Cole’s “Trust” featuring Monica
” Them harmonies in there were insane,” says Brandy while listening to Keyshia and Monica’s duet. The Moesha vocalist revisits Full Moon to cradle fans with her baby-making record “When You Touch Me,” which gather a variety of “Yasssss” reactions. The fans have spoken.
WINNER: Brandy
Round 20: Monica task. Lil Wayne’s “Ideal For Me” vs. Brandy’s “Have You Ever”
Don’t believe Monica knew the song count here, conserving her 1999 Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Angel of Mine” for just after the 20- tune buzzer sounded. Instead, Brandy gets the container here with a chart-topping ’99 ballad of her own.
WINNER: Brandy
BONUS ROUNDS
Best “Kid Is Mine” Performance: Brandy
The moment we have actually all been waiting for.
Best Small Talk: Tie
Both women were geared up with jokes and stingers throughout the night. It was a true blessing to see them trade stories about their come-ups in the ’90 s and applaud each other’s catalog.
Most Significant K.O.: Brandy
Unaware of the time, Brandy slipped in a good K.O. at the last buzzer with “Have You Ever,” and Monica opting to go with “Ideal For Me” versus her ageless record “Angel of Mine.”
People’s Champ: Tie
From Brandy bringing in Kamala Harris to Monica drawing out the consistencies on “Sideline Ho,” this hall-of-fame twosome deserved the incredible 1.2 million IG views they earned tonight.
LAST RATING: Brandy, 12 -7 -5
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