The real winner of Brandy Verzuz Monica was truly the whole world

You couldn’t go anywhere in 1998 without hearing Brandy and Monica’s hit R&B duet “The Boy is Mine” on the radio. The song and the stylish music video sparked rumours of an actual rift between the two talented singers that has lasted until this very day. So on Monday night, the two decided to face off (from a safe distance of 2 metres apart, naturally) in a Verzuz battle broadcast on Instagram Live to talk about their music careers, and their relationship with each other. Unsurprisingly, the whole world turned up for their reunion, including a whole gaggle of celebs, and a little known US Vice Presidential hopeful, perhaps you’ve heard of her? Senator Kamala freakin’ Harris!Popping up on the screen between the two songstresses, Democratic VP candidate Senator Kamala Harris gushed about her adoration for Brandy and Monica, and also thanked them for doing the battle in conjunction with Michelle Obama’s non-partisan organization When We All Vote.

Even Kamala Harris showed up to the Brandy vs. Monica #Verzuz battle... #verzuztv pic.twitter.com/17yEjXw7Gh

— Miranda J. (@randa_writes) September 1, 2020

“I just wanted to thank you ladies, you queens, you stars, you icons!” Harris exclaimed. “Thank you for doing this for When We All Vote. It’s so important for everyone. You both used your voice in such a powerful way, and an extension of our voices is our vote.”Both Monica and Brandy were overjoyed by the Senator’s cameo, with Monica adding that When We All Vote is a cause that resonates with her. “We understand the importance of people getting out and voting right now,” she said. “And they feel so helpless right now, but that's how you help yourself, help your community, help your brothers and sisters.”“I'm fangirling right now,” Brandy laughed. Same, Brandy.[video_embed id='2025735']MORE MUSIC NEWS: The Weeknd and Lady Gaga make powerful statements at the VMAs [/video_embed]If you could pull your eyes away from the history being made on screen to check out the scrolling chat stream on IGTV, you might have noticed that during that segment, Snoop Dogg himself was watching and commented, “Sisterhood.” He wasn’t the only huge celeb tuning in and showing major love for the duo. Some eagle-eyed stans managed to screencap the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments when huge names revealed themselves to be lurking. There was Tiffany Haddish (who joked about her own attempt at singing), Erykah Badu (who had previously done a Verzuz battle with Jill Scott), Zayn Malik, Solange and Tyler The Creator (sparring with each other over Monica's pants-which-might-be-boots), Queen Latifah and Meek Mill (the latter of whom was seemingly looking for a date), Mariah Carey, and *blinks* former FLOTUS Michelle Obama cheering on Monica for having boundaries. In fact, FLOTUS is in there twice!Of course, as Zayn Malik (and thousands of others) insisted, the ladies HAD to sing their iconic song, “The Boy is Mine,” getting out of their chairs to perform it like it was 1998 again and Mekhi Phifer was scheming to have both of them. Naturally, that pushed viewing numbers over the 1 million mark, breaking a Verzuz record which topped out at 1.2 million.

Monica and Brandy performing The Boy Is Mine in 2020 I’m crying #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/4ELff890jW

— “ (@bloovline) September 1, 2020

But what about this supposed feud between the two? There were a few tense moments during the broadcast for sure. After Monica talked about going through a stage in her past where she was “kickin’ in doors,” Brandy tried to quip that she knew what it was like to feel Monica’s kick. After a pregnant pause, Monica looked over at Brandy and asked her why she would say something like that.“I was trying to make a joke,” Brandy said. “I was trying to work on my comedy... I’m sorry.”Um, awks much? Social media picked up on those weird and off-kilter moments and hilariously ran with them.

monica every time brandy says “lemme read you a poem right quick” #Verzuz #verzuztv #BrandyVsMonica pic.twitter.com/XLFBo7bLlQ

— janet snakehole (@themeowsterz) September 1, 2020

But truly, the two seemed genuinely supportive of each other and gushed about their adoration and admiration for each other.“I really am a straight shooter and I really do admire what you do musically,” Monica said.Brandy responded, “I just need you to know that I have the utmost love and respect for you, no matter the times where it seemed like I didn’t.”And the fact that their time together ended in hugs and not in fisticuffs shows that their collab and their respective careers over the years has meant so much to young girls and especially young Black girls who grew up with role models they could be proud of.

How the Brandy and Monica #Verzuz really ended. ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/7pDpaRvRj9

— THE NEIGHBORHOOD TALK (@TNHTalk) September 1, 2020

I hope after tonight folks really understand and appreciate what Brandy and Monica gave to young Black girls in the 90s. They gave us songs to have our first crushes to, songs to fall in love to, songs to get thru our first heartbreak. They gave us a vision of ourselves #Verzuz

— God-is Rivera (@GodisRivera) September 1, 2020

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