Twenty-something years ago, the R&B world was erupted by a rumored beef involving two of the music genre’s youngest singers known as Brandy and Monica. Then teenagers, the two singers united for a 1998 record-breaking chart topper song titled “The Boy Is Mine.” Following the songs release, rumors circulated of a feud between the two, which were later fueled by their refusal to perform the Grammy Award-winning song together.
Now both adults, the 90s feud that has troubled R&B music has resurfaced and is becoming quite shady with the assistance of social media. In the last few weeks, Monica’s 2003 single “So Gone” has went viral, thanks to a viral challenge that has social media users freestyling over the Missy Elliot produced beat.
While the #SoGoneChallenge created new interest for the lauded song, it also increased the sales of her album, “After the Storm.” But as Mo and the rest of social media celebrated the new success, Ms. Norwood wasn’t particularly in the mood to celebrate her R&B counterpart’s achievement.
When a fan asked if she would partake in the #SoGoneChallenge, Brandy swiftly dismissed the question with the shadey hashtag “Chile bye.” During Mo’s appearance on “The Real”, Loni Love quizzed the “So Gone” singer on her thoughts about Bran’s salty response.
“I’m not bothered at all. This is what I always say, honestly. The ‘old me’ and the new me are two different things. This journey of self-progression and self-love and empowerment that I’m on – I can’t go backwards. I think that was just a test from God for me. I’ve always thought that she was one of the most legendary people and has one of the most amazing voices – and her runs and riffs.
“I think that some of it’s been blown out of proportion to a degree, but I can’t tell my kids to do something that I can’t do. It was just a test for me to always take the high road and know that in anything that’s meant for you in this life, if it’s meant for you it’s yours.”
“Nobody can stop it or stand in the way of it. So, I wasn’t bothered at all!”
Monica also said she would be open to collaborating with Brandy again.
“I would work with her again, because… I mean… 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 made our own mark.
And the truth and reality is that the only Grammy either of us has is together. So, that to me says something special. So yeah, I absolutely would [work with her again].”
From her response, Monica has taken the highroad and is seemingly unbothered by the shade thrown her way from her frenemy. But it appears that Brandy isn’t finished throwing subliminal daggers at Mo via her twitter.
On Sunday, Brandy tweeted-then-deleted a photo of herself and her mother with the caption “Real Recognizes Real- Real Recognizes Fake- Real Recognizes Fake Real- Real Recognizes Real Fake-“
And when questioned on the deleted tweet, Brandy gave a “lol”, which could be taken as a confirmation for the shade.
Here’s the thing: Brandy and Monica are both successful in their own right. As Mo so eloquently stated on “The Real”, Brandy, Monica and the late Aaliyah are a part of the elite era of R&B music, which has inspired many of the artist in the new millennium. And while a good feud always makes for good entertainment, this feud puts a bad taste on the fans of R&B music’s tongues. It’s troubling to witness Brandy indulging in her own petty shade fest, while Monica embarks on a high road. Especially with Brandy being praised as the vocal bible. Whatever issues Brandy has with Monica, let’s hope she gets some clarity soon because Ms. Norwood has way too much clout to be throwing shade on the internet.
