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Brandy-Monica Verzuz battle: Air date, where to watch, pre-show buzz and all you need to know about the iconic faceoff

The 'Rhythm and Blues' queens broke records in 1993 with their single 'The Boy is Mine' but soon reports surfaced that the singers did not get along after Brandy performed the song without Monica

Music legends Monica Denise Arnold and Brandy Rayana Norwood will officially be going head-to-head in their very own Verzuz battle on Monday, August 31. The 'Rhythm and Blues' queens broke records in 1993 with their single 'The Boy is Mine'. Though soon after the release of the single, reports surfaced that Monica and Brandy did not get along after Monica got upset with Brandy for performing the song for the first time live, without her, on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno', They later, joined hands for 'It All Belongs To Me in 2012.

Born in a family of musicians in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, Brandy started her career as a child performer. In 1993, she signed with Atlantic Records, and the following year, she released her self-titled debut album, which sold over six million copies worldwide. She also starred in 'Moesha' as the title character. In 1998, Brandy resumed her career with her successful duet, 'The Boy Is Mine', with fellow R&B contemporary, Monica. The song became the best-selling female duet of all time and one of the longest-running number-one singles in history. Brandy's second album, 'Never say never', sold over 15 million copies and even earned her a Grammy award.

Monica's career rose after she signed Rowdy Records in 1993 and released her debut album, 'Miss Thang', two years later. After that, She followed it with a series of successful albums, including the global bestseller, 'The Boy Is Mine', in 1998 as well as the number-one albums, 'After the Storm', 'The Makings of Me' and 'Still Standing'. During an interview with V103 in May this year, Monica spoke about wanting to partake in a Verzuz. She said, “I understand the idea of [Verzuz] and I think it’s really, really entertaining, and it is an incredible idea." "Now what I do like is its kind of turning into a celebration. I can handle a celebration. One thing that has happened to me my whole career is being put against someone else that I’m not even remotely similar to. I think the reality is, us being polar opposites makes it dope," she added.

Here are all the details you need to know about the upcoming Verzuz battle:

Air date

The Verzuz battle will take place on Monday, August 31, at 8 pm ET.

Where to watch?

Viewers can tune in to Instagram Live and Apple Music.

As soon as the news of their Verzuz battle came in, the Internet started reacting to it, as one of them commented, "I'm going for both of them but Brandy got Albums and way more chart appearance that's a fact." Another called it a "celebration" and said, "Ohh my, this one is gonna be damn good. A celebration of 2 of RNB icons. Me personally, i was always a Brandi fan. Nonetheless, this is gonna be a fun time."

While another fan commented, "Thank you @4everBrandy and @MonicaDenise for agreeing to do this. You are the epitome of real R&B classics. One of the last ones to ever hold it down for the real music from back then. You own special time in music and I will surely be watching you all the way in #Africa."

"Finally!!!!!!!!!!!! We can give you both the flowers you deserve! A win for everyone!!!!!!!!!!! #blackgirlmagic #blackwomenrock," said another fan.

Verzuztv shared the news on Instagram in a post titled, "Get ready for the queens! @Brandy and @MonicaDenise on #VERZUZ! Monday, August 31st, 8PM EST on our IG and Apple Music. Drinks by Ciroc," to which one fan replied, "Respectfully: Name 20 hits of Brandy's. Monica's debut album, Ms. Thang and the Still standing album have over 20 hits combined."