Source: thelavalizard.com

You know maybe I’m severely late but I really had no idea that there was a real life beef between Brandy and Monica. I just thought that the mutterings about tension between the two was something the record companies and the media created to stir up controversy and promote their single, “The Boy is Mine.” But as both Monica and Brandy revealed on a recent interview with Hot 97′s Angie Martinez, there was a whole lotta truth behind those rumors.

Back in 1998, the same year the two released their collaborative single, Monica and Brandy found themselves in something of a tussle. They don’t get into too many details but the subject came up during their interview with Angie Martinez. Check out the clip below.

(The video may take a while to load.)

1998 really was a long time ago. Monica was sixteen at the time and she’s since apologized to Brandy. She really did sound sincere about that. So we’re going to cut her a lot of slack. Who didn’t do something regrettable and reckless when they were a teenager? As long as Brandy has forgiven her, she shouldn’t have past indiscretions thrown in her face. (Even though we wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to hear all of the juicy details.) I get that. I certainly wouldn’t want to relive my worst moments in the public eye. But I really do wish they would expound more on how they were able to mend or build a relationship after that. The two mentioned that the birth of their children played a role in coming back into each others’ lives. Kids will make you grow up. Maybe it’s because I don’t have children that I still have questions though. Personally, if someone put their hands on me and I forgave them, I really don’t know if I could ever work with them again. Just goes to show you that you can never underestimate the power of love and forgiveness. Brandy must really be a big woman in that regard.

Have you ever forgiven someone who put their hands on you? How were you able to rebuild your relationship?

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After dropping the track, “It All Belongs to Me,” and performing it on late night TV, we finally get to check out the actual video for the catchy track by our girls Monica and Brandy (B-Rocka to you, thank you very much!). I tell you, the more and more I listen to this, the more I have my finger in the air jamming! If you can get away from a few of the random references (that’s a songwriting issue), the easier it will be for you to admit that the vocals on this joint are crazy. Watch the two ladies get revenge on their ungrateful men and do so in some oh-so fly outfits. The styling in this video was pretty amazing because both women look absolutely stunning. And oh yeah, the video is dedicated to their friend and idol, Whitney Houston. Check it out below and let us know what you think!

*Opening photo courtesy of aceshowbiz.com.

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Source: jusflippin.com

If you didn’t know how you felt about the song, “It All Belongs to Me”–Brandy and Monica’s first collaboration in 14 years–after we posted the song a few weeks back, you might like it a bit more after watching the soul sisters belt the jam out live, doing so last Thursday on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I must say, Brandy’s voice sounded amazing! She started off a bit deeper than normal, however, once she got in the groove, I was almost tempted to throw my hands in the air (and wave them like I just didn’t care). Monica sounded awesome as usual, and as this was a pre-Whitney funeral performance, she rocked a shirt with Whitney’s image on it, and they dedicated the performance to the late singer. If you haven’t seen it already, please let us know what you think of the the ladies rocking the house below. And ignore the numerous references to Facebook in the track…:

2122173143 by YardieGoals

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Brandy and Monica join forces once again to deliver “It All Belongs To Me,” a soulful ballad that leaked online last week. For their reunion, the pair directs their frustrations away from each other to a man up to no good. The track will appear on the singers’ respective albums, both due in the spring. More than a decade after topping the charts with “The Boy Is Mine,” Brandy and Monica’s collaboration shows that in business, your rival can be your best friend.

The word rival has a negative connotation. But, it doesn’t have to be a negative relationship. Brandy and Monica were pitted against each other as competing R&B teen queens in the 90’s. However, working together pushed them to produce the most successful song of both their careers. “The Boy Is Mine” was the first number-one pop record for both artists and won the first Grammy Award of both singers’ careers.

Rivals Are Good for Business

Nothing generates publicity like conflict. “The Boy Is Mine” exploited the media’s presumed rivalry between the two young singers to become the best-selling song of 1998 in the United States. The buzz surrounding their rivalry may have faded, but the duo is still cashing in. Sure-fire publicity comes in handy, especially when your career hits a decline. Brandy hasn’t released an album in four years. Though Monica has been more visible, she has yet to reclaim the success of her teenage collaboration. Having this this buzz-worthy collaboration in their arsenal is beneficial to both artists.

Get to Know Your Rival

Even if you’re not anxious to partner with them, your business rival is someone worth getting to know. Many argue the importance of focusing on your own business, and not letting competition distract you. However, navel-gazing is a quick way to miss how the market is changing around you. More than a potential partner, a rival can serve as case study for how to – or not to do – business.

Read the news about them, use their products or services, and dig up a little gossip if you’re really ambitious. Understanding your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses allows you to accelerate your own innovation. Stay one step ahead by developing the next evolution of a concept they are developing. Exploit their weaknesses by highlighting a service they don’t offer, or use it as an opportunity to partner together. If you’re in a small industry, it might be in your best interest to work together to identify and tackle common challenges and goals.

Regardless of whether you plan on playing nice, your rival is a good person to know in business. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating your competition and thinking you can pretend they’re not there. Work together when it benefits both parties, but at the very least, keep an eye on them. Even if you’re not watching them, there’s a good chance they’re watching you.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t blast Monica and Brandy’s hit song “The Boy is Mine” on a regular back in ’98. Some of you might even still be listening to it. Now 14 years later, the R&B ladies are back in the studio together to go at it again.

Monica and Brandy headed to Miami over the weekend to hook up with producer Rico Love in the studio and judging from their tweets, it sounds like they had a great session.

Monica tweeted:

We have Both Been Blessed Beyond Measure..14years later.. #TURNTHELIGHTSON ❤Love @4everBrandy

and Brandy tweeted the response:

“@MonicaBrown: We have Both Been Blessed Beyond Measure.14years later Love @4everBrandy http://lockerz.com/s/172293088” I love you so much Mo❤thank u!

There’s no word on when the song will be released but since Brandy’s album is due out in May, there’s a good chance the track might be featured on there. Whenever it comes out, I’m sure this song will not disappoint.

How excited are you about a new Brandy-Monica collabo? P.S. Reminisce on the 90s magic below.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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