RnB icons and rivals Brandy and Monica went live on Verzuz, a webcast DJ battle series which launched during the pandemic. The two “feuding” singers sat down and compared their hits, as well as opened up about the famous feud between them.
This episode was record-breaking, with over 1.2 million people tuning in to the Instagram Live show. Also, making a surprise cameo appearance was American Vice Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris; who thanked the “queens” and “icons” for their contribution to the music industry.
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama was also in the live comment section encouraging viewers to vote.
Monday’s battle featured hits from both Monica and Brandy, including I Wanna Be Down and Don’t Take It Personal. Brandy read several poems, one of which she dedicated to stars who recently passed; like Kobe and Gianna Bryant, Nipsey Hussle and Chadwick Boseman, before playing her hit Missing You.
Monica sang her hit U Should’ve Known Better a cappella and premiered her new song Trenches with Lil Baby.
During the Verzuz show, Brandy and Monica revealed that they had not been in the same room in over 8 years! And although their collaborative hit The Boy is Mine has been the biggest hit of their respective careers; both Brandy and Monica fans have always complained the song not gotten its due on the live front over its 22-year life span.
The singers’ battle on Instagram was part of an ongoing series by producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland; as a way to entertain fans during the quarantine. It has since become a cultural phenomenon on social media.
Previous battles have featured singers Alicia Keys and John Legend, rappers Nelly and Ludacris as well as reggae singers Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.