Brandy & Monica's "Verzuz": Over 1 Million Viewers, New Songs, & Much More

BY Erika Marie 4.1K Views
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Monica, Brandy, Verzuz
Monica premiered a new single featuring Lil Baby and the ladies closed things out with "The Boy is Mine": WATCH

There is a lot to unpack with Brandy and Monica's Verzuz. The two ladies not only shared the stage and played some of their favorite, classic hits, but they also told stories about what went on behind the scenes during their careers. Unsurprisingly, Monica spent a moment to give C-Murder a shout out as she spoke about prison reform and vying for his freedom. Before they even began, vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris opened the Verzuz by sharing her enthusiasm and urged the public to vote in the 2020 election.

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Over 1 million viewers were tuned in at any given time, so we can only imagine what the final Verzuz numbers look like. Monica and Brandy filmed at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta and both singers brought in their family and friends who kept their distance off-camera. There were plenty of notable celebrities tuned in and commenting including Halle Berry, Michelle Obama, Snoop Dogg, Omarion, Keyshia Cole, Lil Mo, Eric Bellinger, Jermaine Dupri, Stevie J, La La Anthony, Lena Waithe, Sevyn, Erykah Badu, DaniLeigh, Killer Mike, Joyner Lucas, Jacob Latimore, Kehlani, Lenny Kravitz, and many more.

Each of the singers played new music, including Monica who premiered her new song "Trenches" featuring Lil Baby. Of course, fans waited impatiently for the coup de grâce—"The Boy is Mine"—and it was just as epic as everyone had hoped. Brandy, who had been sliding in subliminals about collaborating with Monica (and being politely shot down by her fellow singer) ended the Verzuz with the final word. While hugging Monica she said, "Please be on the lookout for the tour," before the feed cut out. Earlier in the Verzuz, Brandy said that she and Monica were a "group" to which Monica quickly stated, "We are not a group!"

Watch the three-hour Verzuz in full below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.