On June 6, 1998, “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The duet was both artists’ first No. 1 song on the pop chart. Written as a female take on Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s “The Girl Is Mine” (1982), the track went on to become the top selling song of 1998. Not since 1979’s “No More Tears” by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer had a collaboration between two solo female artists topped the Billboard Hot 100. Although the song lyrics pitted Brandy against her reported real-life rival, Monica, the music video was an empowering celebration of female solidarity.
Brandy was inspired to write “The Boy Is Mine” with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins after watching a love triangle-themed episode of “The Jerry Springer Show.” Brandy first recorded the song on her own, but then realized it would be better as a duet. Brandy had her label approach Monica about a collaboration. Even though the two R&B stars hardly knew one another at the time, the media had already stoked rumors they had beef with each other. Brandy thought a duet would be a great way to put the kibosh on that narrative.
The song ruled the charts during the summer of 1998, but only amplified the Brandy/Monica rivalry gossip. “The Boy Is Mine” was the lead single on both Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” album as well as Brandy’s “Never Say Never” album. The song dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 straight weeks and the two singers won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group. Despite their shared success, rumors ran wild that Brandy and Monica had bad blood. They continued to publicly deny the rumors, but the only time they performed their megahit together was at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.
Despite the fracture between Brandy and Monica, “The Boy Is Mine” music video is actually about solidarity between two women. In the video, when Brandy and Monica realize they share the same boyfriend, played by Mekhi Phifer, they ultimately come together to confront him.
In a 2012 interview, Monica revealed the rumors about her and Brandy were true. In fact, Monica even admitted she “put hands on” Brandy backstage at the 1998 MTV Music Video Awards. Even though they put out another female empowerment anthem together in 2012, “It All Belongs To Me,” gossip columnists continue to stay on the lookout for Brandy/Monica shade. However, 20 years later, we might be approaching another détente between Monica and Brandy. In a recent interview, Monica revealed she would even be open to another duet with Brandy.