21 Songs To Bump In Preparation For The Brandy & Monica Verzuz Battle
I'ma let y'all finish, but I know that Brandy and Monica are about to put down the greatest Verzuz battle of time. I said what I said, don't @ me.
Although this year has definitely thrown us some curveballs along the way, you've persevered, sis, and there's no better way to celebrate your hard work than by winding down with some of your favorite jams from the 99s and the 2000s live from Tyler Perry Studios on Aug. 31st.
Brandy and Monica, who both declined to participate in a battle initially, damn near broke the internet after confirming Monday's festivities, but we should've known better than to think that these two GOATs would let this quarantine pass without taking us on a stroll down memory lane and as our anticipation continues to build, we're more than sure that these two queens will break all of the digital records.
If you're tired of waiting and are ready to get all the way in the mood for the moment these R&B divas take the stage, scroll below for 21 jams you need to bump ASAP in preparation.
Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine
Brandy - Baby
Monica - Before You Walk Out Of My Life
Brandy - Have You Ever
Monica - Angel Of Mine
Brandy - Almost Doesn't Count
Monica - Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)
Missing You - Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan [Set It Off Soundtrack]
Monica - For You, I Will
Brandy - Sittin' Up in My Room
Monica - Why I Love You So Much
Brandy - I Wanna Be Down
Monica - So Gone
Brandy - Full Moon
Monica - U Should've Known Better
Brandy - Right Here (Departed)
Monica - A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)
Brandy - Top Of The World (feat. Mase)
Monica- Everytime Tha Beat Drop
Brandy - Talk About Our Love (feat. Kanye West)
Monica - Love All Over Me
Featured image via Tenor
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
There's nothing like a dynamic duo, and SZA and Kendrick Lamar are ones that don't get talked about enough. While both of them are musical geniuses in their own right, they have also made musical magic together multiple times while signed to TDE. Their music collabs have led to them receiving Grammy noms, Golden Globes noms, and Academy noms.
Now, it's just been announced that they are going on a joint tour in 2025. In honor of their latest collaboration, we take a look at all the times SZA and Kendrick have teamed up together.
SZA Ft. Kendrick Lamar- "Babylon"
The first time we heard the two collaborate was in 2014 on SZA's EP, Z. Their song "Babylon" marries both of their sounds best and forecasts what fans can expect from the pair going forward.
SZA Ft. Kendrick Lamar- "Doves In The Wind"
Kendrick showed up and showed out for SZA again, this time for her 2017 debut album Ctrl. Their song "Doves in the Wind" is a dreamy song, and the Compton rapper's delivery was a chef's kiss.
Kendrick Lamar Ft. SZA- "All The Stars"
This time, Kendrick called up his sis to assist with the song "All The Stars" for the Black Panther album, which he also produced. The song was nominated for multiple awards, including an Oscar.
Kendrick Lamar Ft. SZA- "luther"
Kendrick surprised everyone when he dropped GNX in November. SZA appears on the album twice, including "luther," which samples the late legend Luther Vandross' song "If This World Were Mine." This song instantly became a favorite for Instagram Reels and TikToks.
Kendrick Lamar Ft. SZA- "gloria"
GNX closes out with "gloria," a song dedicated to Kendrick's love of writing rhymes. SZA's voice fills in beautifully between Kendrick's rhymes and ends with her singing, "I see you, you see me, both see what we want."
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Feature image by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Coachella