Monica and Brandy Reveal How They’ve 'Taken Control' of Division From Their Hit 'The Boy Is Mine'

Brandy and Monica didn't initially become friends after making "The Boy Is Mine."

The two R&B artists appeared on the latest cover of Essence ahead of their upcoming tour and opened up in the interview about their years-long feud that followed the 1998 hit song's release as well as how they've worked to mend their relationship.

"I see it as so much bigger than just a hit record," Brandy, 46, told the outlet. "At the time, it was two young women coming together, bringing our voices and our stories into one moment — and the world connected with it in a way we couldn’t have imagined. To see how that song connected with people all over the world — and still does — is such a blessing."

The "What About Us?" singer continued, "For me, it represented sisterhood and the power of collaboration. Now, all these years later, it feels like a landmark in R&B history, but also a reminder of how far we’ve come as women and as artists. It’s humbling to know that a song can stand the test of time like that, and it inspires me to keep creating music that resonates across generations."

Monica, 44, then spoke about their complicated past. "I think that even though the lyrical content and some of what started to play out created more division than it did togetherness, we’ve taken control of that, and we’re making what the legacy of this song would be totally different for the next generation," she said.

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The Miss Thang musician feels that Ariana Grande's 2024 song "The Boy Is Mine" and its remix featuring her and Brandy helped to show young listeners "how special" their initial collaboration truly was.

"When Ariana Grande did her version, it was that subtle reminder for us of how special that moment was. And what I love so much about it was that we were young, living in the moment and creating," she said. "We were creating without critics. We were creating without anything outside of ourselves. And that was the part that I think made it so great and made it so timeless."

"The Boy Is Mine" appeared on both Brandy and Monica's respective Never Say Never and The Boy Is Mine albums in 1998, and the song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following its release, however, the performers got into a fight backstage at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, and the feud persisted for years. After years of not talking, they teamed up for a Verzuz battle in 2020 — four years before they'd reunite once again for Grande's remix.

Elsewhere in the Essence interview, Monica spoke about why she avoids reflecting on situations she's moved on from. "I try to leave the past just as it is, and focus on the present and the future, because I think it’s so promising," she said.

The "Angel of Mine" singer added, "I think unfortunately, over the years, we’ve missed a lot of opportunity because we maybe focused more on the past. We’ve had an amazing reconnection, and the way that it has come together on our terms and our time is just divine timing."

Brandy and Monica's The Boy Is Mine Tour kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati and continues in North America through December.