If you’re anything like us, you were glued to the internet for the much-anticipated VERZUZ celebration between R&B legends Brandy and Monica.
In one corner, you have The Vocal Bible Brandy, who launched her influential music career in 1994 with her self-titled debut album. As a focused young woman with a relatable voice, her eponymous LP became a relevant soundtrack for the everyday issues that were affecting other girls her age.
Following the massive success of her award-winning debut, Brandy went on to release three sonically diverse albums (Never Say Never, Full Moon, Afrodisiac). It would be her third album that won her acclaim as the vocal inspiration for many artists years later. Two more albums, Brandy returned to the R&B fold this July with B7, her first album in almost eight years. It’s an album that we have already predicted will be on the 2021 Grammy ballot box for Best Progressive R&B Album.
In the opposite corner, Monica, who kicked down the door with her sassy debut album, Miss Thang, which applied the palpable sense of intergenerational wisdom and experience that Monica absorbed from her lineage and Atlanta heritage. After three consecutive Hot 100 chart-toppers from her sophomore album, and two albums later, the authentic artist came back strong with her Grammy-nominated album Still Standing.
Today, just hours before the celebration of music legacies, and her sisterhood, she released a new song “Trenches” featuring Lil’ Baby.
Stream our Brandy vs Monica playlist, which features songs played during their VERZUZ battle on Monday night.