If you don’t know by now, I’m a child of the 90s. I grew up during a time when box braids, bangs, baggy jeans, babydoll dresses, and bucket hats were all “on trend”, at the same time. The airwaves were flooded with hip-hop and gangsta rap, girl groups and boybands, and, of course, R&B.

90s R&B will always hold a special place in my heart, but the leading ladies of this genre are undoubtedly Brandy and Monica. The two songstresses “battled” on August 31st during their session of Verzuz. For the first time since the Verzuz series began back in March, there were 1.2 million live views reported. Thus proving that Brandy and Monica are indeed 90s music royalty.

So, what are my thoughts on their session? In a word, EPIC. It was definitely a win for the (Black) culture. I thoroughly enjoyed the stroll down memory lane, in the comfort of my own home, where singing lead and background vocals at the top of my lungs wasn’t frowned upon. Song after song, I was transported back to my childhood.

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Watching these two vocal giants interact was also refreshing. Although I did detect some standoffish and uncomfortable vibes throughout, I appreciated their commitment to the culture and to their fans. Their “rocky relationship” has been talked about in the press for years. But at the end of the day, they both carved out a lane for themselves in the music industry and bodied the charts, hit after hit. So, witnessing them come together and share some of their best and most memorable songs was a treat. And they say Black women can’t get along…

While I love both artists and their voices, my love for Brandy reigns supreme. From an early age, I connected with her almost instantly. My love for braids came from swooning over Brandy’s braided styles throughout the 90s. And when it comes to her voice, it’s no contest for me. Brandy’s warm, rich, and sultry tone is like butter. Her harmonies and vocal stacking abilities are unmatched, and her albums, especially Full Moon, have helped me overcome some pivotal moments during my lifetime.

When it’s all said and done, there’s a winner in every battle. From her extensive catalogue to her alluring vocals, it’s Brandy for me. And it always will be.