It’s official: 90s R&B icons Brandy Norwood and Monica are set to embark on their “The Boy is Mine” tour, visiting cities across the globe. The duo reportedly has a fascinating story about the song that inspired the tour’s name—a tale that might surprise many, or perhaps not.
Enter Brandy Norwood
In the 1990s, R&B dominated the music scene. Two of the most prominent artists of the era were Brandy and Monica. Brandy began making her impact at just 15 years old. But her journey started much earlier. According to Mississippi Writers and Musicians, Brandy Norwood was auditioning for record labels by the age of 11, and she secured a contract by 14. Her debut album, released in 1994, received widespread acclaim. By 1995, she was attending the Billboard Awards. In 1996, she won an MTV award for her hit “Sittin’ Up In My Room.” That same year, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist, among other accolades, cementing her status as a bona fide success.
Monica Takes Center Stage
Monica, much like her peer Norwood, developed a passion for music early on. In her youth, she won numerous competitions before achieving widespread success. According to Black Music Scholar, Monica joined “Charles Thompson and the Majestics” at just ten years old, making her their youngest member. By age 11, she had reportedly been offered a deal. But by 13, she had signed. Her first album was released in 1993, and her debut, “Miss Thang,” went triple platinum. It was clear that Monica possessed extraordinary talent, and she continued to release successful projects, consistently proving herself as a powerhouse in the music industry.
The Boy is Mine
In 1998, two immensely talented singers collaborated on their highly successful and memorable track “The Boy Is Mine.” The song achieved great commercial success. As BET highlights, the song spent 13 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, earning them a Grammy. It’s often difficult to determine when something will become a timeless marker of an era. “The Boy is Mine” achieved just that.
Years later, it was given new life. An updated version featuring Ariana Grande alongside Norwood and Monica rekindled the nostalgia and excitement for what the song represented to many teenagers of that time.
“That cameo sparked a viral moment online, and shortly after, they recorded the official remix with Grande, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, years after the original won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in 1999,”
as noted by BET.
The Boy is Mine Tour
The two influential artists are joining forces for a tour inspired by their legendary song. But how did the idea originate? In a recent interview, it was disclosed that a viral talk show sparked the concept. Norwood mentioned,
“I was a huge fan of Jerry Springer. One of the topics was ‘The boy is mine,’ and I thought, ‘Oh my God.’ Song idea. Let’s do this’.”
Although it might seem like a surprising backstory, it’s fascinating and highlights the nature of creativity. Creativity knows no bounds—it can emerge from any place, person, or time. This story illustrates how ideas often find those destined to realize them. It’s doubtful that any other artists could have achieved the same level of success with this song as these two talented women.
Nostalgia and The Ultimate R&B Tour
The tour is set for 24 cities, beginning on October 16 and concluding a few weeks before Christmas on December 7. Joining them on the tour will be Muni Long, Jamal Roberts, and Kelly Rowland.
Written by: Renae Richardson
