It only took 1.2 million Instagram followers for it to happen. Brandy And Monica Verzuz Battle remind the world how next-level their respective catalogs are on Monday night (Aug. 31) during their fight on Verzuz.
It was great to see two of modern R&B’s most renowned stars who had fought each other for more than two decades following their classic 1998 duet “The Boy Is Mine.”. It was also possible to experience the singers’ closeness, despite a few unavoidable moments of tension. The two stars also received a video message from Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Use this platform to encourage voters to turn out on November 6. Black Girl Magic took Harris through 20 rounds. See below the official scorecard.
Round 1: Brandy’s “What About Us?” Versus Monica’s “Everything to Me”
Brandy opens the festival with her 2002 Full Moon smash, produced by Darkchild, “How About Us?” “Everything to Me” from Monica’s 2010 shows an equally unshakable record.” The powerful vocals of Monica shake the room, but their impact is not enough to win the opening round.
Brandy is the winner
Round 2: Monica’s “A Dozen Roses” vs. Brandy’s “He Is”
A fan favorite, Brandy slows down the tempo after making a fiery entrance with her breathtaking deep cut from Full Moon. She laments her 2002 album’s lack of singles, but fortunately, there’s a gem here. “I could not find anyone like her,” Monica says, performing “A Dozen Roses.” Together with Missy, Monica proves why the two were such a great pair during the 2000s.
The winner is Monica
Round 3: Brandy with “Full Moon” vs. Monica with “So Gone”
She plays the album’s most savory song as the title track, refusing to hit eject on it. With back-and-forth motions, Monica and Brandy move in perfect harmony. The song is so serious,” Monica exclaims at the end of the song. The actress returns with her 2000s hit “So Gone,” in which she reveals that her love life reached a crossroads. “I’m done breaking in,” she observes with amusement.
Monica is the winner
Round 5: Monica’s “Don’t Take It Personal” vs. Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down”
Single showdown debut. Interestingly, Brandy remembers meeting Tupac in the ’90s, while cleverly looping a line from “Me & My Girlfriend,” which refers to a 1994 single, kicks off this set — making use of the new remix of “Down.” The hit single from 1995 by Monica is “Don’t Take It Personally,” but Brandy nails it with a truly charming performance.
Round 5: Brandy’s “Baby” against Monica’s “Like This And Like That”
Brandy is now in her element. As she performs her 1994 single “Baby,” Lady Gaga keeps us on our toes with her captivating falsetto. The crowd goes crazy for Monica’s performance of “Like This and That,” which she recorded at the age of 12.
Brandy is the winner
Round 6: Brandy’s “Angel in Disguise” Against Monica’s “U Should’ve Known Better”
With reference to her 1998 sophomore album, Never Say Never, Brandy shares her thoughts on sampling Joe’s “Angel in Disguise,” then goes into why she remains single. Veronica matches Brandy’s heartache with “U Should’ve Known Better,” even singing the song a cappella to enhance the R&B anthem’s emotional impact.
Monica is the winner
Round 7: Gladys Knight, Tamia & Chaka Khan’s “Missing You” against Monica’s “For You I Will”
Early on in the match, Brandy continues to exhibit his showmanship. She honors fallen Black figures such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston, before performing “Missing You,” a track with Chaka Khan, Tamia, and Gladys Knight. Monica also talked about how “For You I Will” has remained a meaningful song for Kobe’s partner Vanessa. At the time, Monica was only 17 years old. The song was for Space Jam. In those days, movies and soundtracks were different.”
WINNER: TIE
Round 8: Brandy and Monica’s “Almost Doesn’t Count” vs. “Why I Love You So Much”
Returning to Never Say Never, Brandy explains the pressures of love in “Almost Doesn’t Count.” She keeps the appreciation momentum going on “Why I Love You So Much,” and receiving a sea of “Ayes” at the record’s end.
There was a tie for first place
Round 9: Brandy’s “Brokenhearted” versus Monica’s “Love All Over Me”
Once she realizes they reached an overwhelming 1.2 million viewers, Brandy agrees to take an opponent’s request. She ends up with a win, performing the 1994 hit, “Brokenhearted” featuring Wanya Morris. Comment sections are a mess after the ’90s break-up anthem. “Clouds don’t “Sun shines again when I stay,” sings Monica before launching into her 2010 hit “Love All Over Me.” We’re sorry, but heartbreak has won.
Brandy is the winner
Round 10: Monica feat. Rick Ross & Lil Kim’s “Anything (To Find You)” vs. Brandy feat. Ma$e’s “Top Of The World”
In the second half, Monica releases “Anything (To Find You),” a sample of Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya.” The heavy hitter is Brandy, who performs the ’90s hit “Top of the World.” A silky opener from Ma$e never fails to impress. It was a great way to begin the second half.
Brandy is the winner
Round 11: Monica Feat. Ludacris’ “Still Standing” Brandy’s “Borderline”
Aware of her abrasive nature, Monica owns up to her past mistakes on 2008’s “Still Standing” with Ludacris. “To put him on this song, he really got it,” Monica remembers of her cousin, whose poem touched her. As part of her attempt, Brandy takes us back to her latest release, B7, where she talks about one of the album’s highlights, “Borderline.” The new records may not be ready yet.
Monica won
Round 12: Monica’s “Commitment” vs. Brandy feat. Daniel Caesar’s “Love Again”
It’s important to go independent, as her 2019 song “Commitment,” The top 10 chart for Adult Songs on Billboard, illustrates. Meanwhile, Brandy reworks “Love Again” and crosses the finish line.
Brandy is the winner
Round 13: Usher feat. Monica’s “Slow Jam” vs. Brandy feat. Chris Brown “Put It Down”
Marilyn moonwalks through the ’90s with the “Slow Jam” duet with Usher. “Our voices really turn into one,” reflects Monica. “He’s the consummate professional.” Brandy’s CB collabs sound good but have a tough time burying Usher and Mo.
Monica won
Round 14: Monica’s “The First Night”vs. Brandy’s “Who Is She 2 U”
Staying true to her ’90s roots, Monica unleashes “The First Night” as she rejects the idea of being lusty straight away. As Brandy turns up the volume on his album, he brings aboard Verzuz co-founder Timbaland for the syrupy Afrodisiac single “Who Is She 2 U.”
The winner is a tie
Round 15: Monica’s “Knock Knock” vs. Brandy’s “Best Friend ”
Another hit from Monica and Missy on “Knock Knock,” making them one of the R&B’s top duos. She returns to the fold with “Best Friend,” which she mixed in with her “Moesha” theme song. Unluckily, it’s only five seconds of the classic theme, since Brandy didn’t want to get sued.
Monica won
Round 16: Monica “Before You Walk Out Of My Life” vs. Brandy’s “Sitting Up In My Room”
Those white shoes are the key. While pressing play on “Before You Walk Out of My Life” she says it’s “one of her favorites to sing to this day.” Brandy’s story of “Sitting Up In My Room” tells of her first time working with Babyface (a Verzuz alum), as well as announcing an on-record shoutout, from Life After Death’s “Another.” I like Brandy’s flex.
Brandy won the contest
Round 17: Monica feat. Dem Franchize Boyz’s “Every time Tha Beat Drop” vs. Brandy feat. Kanye West’s “Talk About Love”
Another Jermaine Dupri-produced hit from Monica in Round 17 goes to the A-Town. The street symphony displays Mo’s versatility after the battle was peppered with ballads. Brandy opens with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” to talk about how important it is to vote these days as well as stay positive. A combination of her impromptu solo and Kanye’s record makes her stand out.
Brandy is the winner
Round 18: Monica’s “Sideline Ho” vs. Brandy’s “Put That on Everything”
By channeling her inner City Girl, Monica revisits her 2007 single “Sideline Ho” to challenge the notion of playing the second fiddle to her lover. She edged Brandy’s Never Say Never track by adding ad-limbs like “ho” in-between funny banter.
Monica is the winner
Round 19: Brandy’s “When You Touch Me” vs. Keyshia Cole’s “Trust” featuring Monica
I was blown away by the harmonies in there,” Brandy comments as she listens to Keyshia and Monica’s duet. Full Moon returns to cradle fans with Moesha’s “When You Touch Me,” which received numerous “Yassss” responses. Fans have spoken.
Brandy is the winner
Round 20: Monica feat. Lil Wayne’s “Just Right For Me” vs. Brandy’s “Have You Ever”
No idea Monica was aware the song count here was saved, preserving her 1999 Hot 100 ranking. 1 hit “Angel of Mine” just after the 20-song buzzer had sounded. Instead, Brandy gets her own chart-topping ballad in 1999.
Brandy is the winner
Rounds Of Bonuses
Brandy Performed The Best “Boy Is Mine”
It’s finally here. Surprisingly, Monica doesn’t seem as enthusiastic to perform with her duo, but the song’s significance and memory make it easy to overlook her lack of enthusiasm. A tour announcement was made at the end, too!
Tie For Best Banter
Throughout the night, both women shared jokes and stingers. They exchanged stories about their come-ups in the ’90s and praised each other’s catalogs.
Brandy Wins By Knockout The Most
Having no idea how late it was, Brandy took the win with her song “Have You Ever,” and Monica going with “Just Right For Me” instead of “Angel of Mine.”
People’s Champion: Ties
Brandy brought Kamala Harris on board to perform “Sideline Ho,” earning the twosome 1.2 million Instagram views.
Brandy wins, 12-7-5
