In the age of COVID, virtual is the new norm. There has been a series of artists taking to IG live and going hit for hit for the world’s entertainment
Recent Verzuz battles have featured Erykah Badu Vs Jill Scott, Rick Ross Vs Two Chainz, and now, 90s phenomena Brandy and Monica.
Here is a rundown of this latest Verszs.
Round 1
Brandy
A love song where Brandy is begging her lover to remember all of the promises they made and how they need to get their act together. If they don’t then she will take the high road.
This song lyrically speaking is one many can relate to as we’ve all been in relationships with people that didn’t match our energy. The production of the song is very clean and the chorus/melody is super catchy. This was a good song to start the battle with.
Monica:
Another love song, where Monica professes her love for her man and how much she needs him. A perfect song to be a hopeless romantic to or share with your significant other. This song features more vocal patterns and riffs and lyrically speaking is more creative/artistic.
10-8
Monica wins this round
Round 2:
Brandy:
This song is musically soothing and Brandy claims can be sung as a love or gospel song. The versatility in the lyrics crowns it to be one of Brandy’s hits. The harmonies incorporated with Brandy’s catchy ad-libs and effortlessly executed key changes make it a hard song to keep from singing along to.
Monica:
A very smooth metaphor to adorn her man, Monica was in her bag when she wrote this one. The infinite metaphors she uses and the rap verse she includes as a bridge really ties the song altogether.
10-9
Brandy wins.
Round 3:
Brandy:
A more upbeat style for Brandy as she tells her infatuation for this guy on the dance floor and shoots her shot claiming “it must be a full moon”. The song is definitely an old school club banger but Brandy should stick to more mellow tunes.
Monica:
One of my favorite songs by Monica, this hit is a sad love song. Incorporating endless riffs that ride on an old school RnB beat.
10-7
Monica wins
Round 4:
Brandy:
One of Brandy’s first singles, a song that’ll instantly get you moving. Brandy proclaims how she wants to be a ride or die for her lover. A song that flows with a smooth bass drum and retro synths.
Monica:
Monica is transparent in her lyrics with this song. She needs space and time to herself but this does not reflect on how she feels for her lover.
8-7
Brandy wins.
Round 5:
Brandy:
Baby is a joint you can sit back and relax to or get up and rock your shoulders to. Brandy professes her lust for this guy in this song. Her riffs are vibrant and the adlibs add so much color to the tune. This is a very flavorful song.
Monica:
Monica does not hesitate with this one and comes right in with her painless vocal patterns. She’s falling in love but if the guy she loves can’t catch her or catch up then she won’t be waiting around for him. West coast rapper Mr. Malik is featured on this song and brings in everything it needed to be a
10/10.
This round is a tie.
Round 6:
Brandy:
Brandy begins this song with cool poetry on a soft palette and airy harmonies. A metaphor for a girl that comes along and takes the heart of the man Brandy loves. She’s hurting and wishes this pain on him too. This song was creatively produced, from the mixed art within the song and the rain that trickles in the background.
Monica:
Monica is going through the ropes with her man as he questions her loyalty she reminds him she’s not here for the material things. She is down for the good and bad and questioning her love is below him. This song is a chill throwback it’s a pretty simple track until the guitar solo for the bridge heightens the production style.
9-8
Brandy wins.
Round 7:
Brandy:
A sad song mourning the loss of a loved one. This cherished song features seasoned voices Gladys Knight, Tamia, and Chaka Khan painting that somber disposition.
Monica:
This is a powerful song with beautiful lyrics throughout “For you, I will lay my life on the line”. With the sound of a gospel choir harmonizing in the background of the song and Monica riding on their voices with melodic riffs. This song despite its melancholy tone is truly a treasure that shares a positive message.
10-8
Monica wins.
Round 8:
Brandy:
Brandy’s calm aurora exudes itself on this guitar ballad, as she professes her efforts could’ve been stronger and better in her relationship but no matter what it wouldn’t have been enough. This sweet song mirrors the tunes of a lullaby and gets a
Monica:
This song is a declaration of Monicas’ love for her man. A simple caring song for a significant other.
10-8
Brandy wins.
By this point in the Verzuz battle they reached 1.2 million views so the stakes were getting higher.
Round 9:
Brandy:
This sultry duet with Brandy and Wanya Morris reminds us all that we don’t need to feel like its the end of the world when our hearts get broken. With a catchy chorus, this song is easy to get stuck in your head.
Monica:
Love all over me is a pretty love song personifying Monica’s deep feelings for her man.
8-7
Brandy wins.
Round 10:
Monica:
“Like sweet morning dew” Monica never misses with the similies and other literary devices in her lyrics. In this song Monica is questioning if there’s anyone out there in the world that can love her the way she wants to be loved. Rick Ross enters the song with a short verse that gets listeners hyped for the rest of the song.
Brandy:
Another gentle club bop, Brandy hits home base with this single featuring Mase and his cool 90s rap sound. An easy song to rock your head and shoulders to especially with the clean break in the chorus. The lyrics are positive and fun this song earns a
10-9
Brandy wins.
Round 11:
Monica:
Through all her battles and obstacles, Monica sings that she is still strong and able in this song featuring the rough hard-hitting rhymes of Ludacris. This is a power anthem. The lyrics sit on piano synths that carry the melody of the song giving it a
Brandy:
Featured on Brandy’s newest album, she paints an image of going crazy but exactly what is it from?
10-8
Brandy wins.
Round 12:
Monica:
Monica lays out in this single everything she needs in a man with falsettos and falling riffs to beautifully execute this song.
Brandy:
This song with passionate Canadian singer Daniel Caesar illustrates a raw song with two lovers taking a second chance at being together. “If you just take my hand I’ll promise we’ll find love again”.
9-8
Monica wins.
Round 13:
Monica:
A “slow jam” to vibe to on the dance floor or if you’re relaxing at home this single by Usher and Monica is a sweet throwback.
Brandy:
A more risque sound for Brandy she is in her bag with this one, one of the few songs you can hear the singer rap on a verse. Chris Brown’s feature adds a fun flair to the single. The layering in the song from the dance anthem tone to the slowed neo-soul RnB towards this end, this song is versatile and a great song to jam to.
10-8
Brandy wins.
Round 14:
Monica:
Monica describes herself as a straight shooter and this song is a perfect example of that. In this song, she explains that in order to win her over it’s her heart you have to chase. The drums in this song give it a cool jazz vibe but Monica’s hip hop and RnB voice tie it all in for a subtle fusion. A song with a strong message it earns a
Brandy:
This song has a simple story with Brandy questioning her lovers’ loyalty after spotting him with another girl. The instruments in the song make it a nice listen for the audience, you got cymbals, a smooth bassline, and conga drums.
10-7
Monica wins.
Round 15:
Monica:
Monica is leaving her man and he better not come back cause she won’t have it. This beat has a mix between 90s RnB and 2000s hip hop. Missy Elliott adds a nice soft rap verse to match Monica’s tone in the song. I give it a
Brandy:
A cute ode to Brandy’s best friend. A song in high spirits that anyone can relate to. This song is catchy and has a chill dance vibe to it.
9-7
Brandy wins.
Round 16:
Monica:
Nobody’s perfect and Monica wants a second chance after hurting her lover’s heart. A heavy bass drum with Monica’s sweet voice makes for a lovely RnB song.
Brandy:
Probably one of Brandy’s most popular and oldest songs. Sittin’ Up in My Room tells the story of young Brandy falling in love and having a crush on someone. A cute teenage angst anthem this song earns Brandy a
10-9
Brandy Wins.
Round 17:
Monica:
Hailing from the 2000s era Monica’s subtle voice and the Franchise Boyz feature makes for a perfect club banger, the lyrics make it hard to not want to grab someone and dance on the dance floor.
Brandy:
“Haters’ gone hate”. This single is something most of us have experienced, people in our business. Brandy is begging her love to ignore the comments and sidelines because they don’t know their love. Kanye’s swagger in this song gives it a finishing touch and a great jam to drive with the windows down and the speakers blaring.
9-8
Brandy wins.
Round 18:
Monica:
Another straightforward song ,Monica wonders if the ‘sideline hos’ are tired of their temporary rudimentary position? A tribute to all the side chicks to get their life together.
Brandy:
If you want a love that is infinite then Brandy can provide that for you. This slow ballad exhibits Brandy’s soft vocals from falsettos to baby riffs. A great song to rock to with your lover.
9-8
Monica wins.
Round 19:
Monica:
A ride or die anthem by Keyshia Cole featuring Monica, this duo was everything the 2000s needed. A devout of their love and the gorgeous vocals of both women harmonizing over organ synths and rising bass lines.
Brandy:
A song of nostalgia where Brandy wishes she could feel and see her lover because she misses him so much. Not a breakup song and not a love anthem but a mixture of both. This leisured song is relatable and soothing.
10-8
Monica wins
Round 20:
Monica:
Monica doesn’t hesitate when she enters with a rising riff after Lil Wayne’s thuggish first verse. This song has a lot of layers to it, in my opinion, a little too much.
Brandy:
Brandy devotes her career to ballads and this one gives her the trophy in this round. A love song inciting a series of questions to find a relation to how Brandy was feeling when she wrote this song. A tranquil song to sit back and listen to Brandy gets a
10-6
Brandy wins.
Round 21:
Monica:
One of Monica’s most popular songs Angel of Mine is a metaphor for her lover and how he means the world to her.
Bonus Round
Brandy x Monica
The last song of the evening featured the pair’s one and only duette together, which resulted in a Grammy award win. The Boy is Mine is still an anthem til this day.
Ironically, I love Monica and know more of her songs, but hit for hit, Brandy won this battle for me with a final score of 123-78. Shoutout to both women for continuing lengthy successful careers as our 90s RnB queens.
