Monica has continued reason to smile (all the way to the bank) after the net was swept by the #SoGoneChallenge – a viral challenge ignited by Chance the Rapper that saw hundreds of social media users spitting their best rhymes over the singer’s 2003 R&B hit ‘So Gone.’
The feat not only reignited interest in the tune, helping its recent sales increase over 400 percent, but also saw some of that interest spill over into increased sales of the tune’s parent album, ‘After the Storm.’ But, as many celebrated renewed interest in the Missy Elliott-produced, one – namely Mo’s longtime reported “frienemy”/‘Boy is Mine’ co-star Brandy – was allegedly not aboard the celebratory train.
Bran did little to cool the rumors when she quickly dismissed a fan’s invitation to record her own freestyle over the ‘So Gone’ beat. When quizzed on her thought’s about Brandy’s seemingly salty response, Monica took to ‘The Real’ to say:
“I’m not bothered at all. This is what I always say, honestly. The ‘old me’ and the new me are two different things. This journey of self-progression and self-love and empowerment that I’m on — I can’t go backwards. I think that was just a test from God for me. I’ve always thought that she was one of the most legendary people and has one of the most amazing voices — and her runs and riffs.
I think that some of it’s been blown out of proportion to a degree, but I can’t tell my kids to do something that I can’t do. It was just a test for me to always take the high road and know that in anything that’s meant for you in this life, if it’s meant for you it’s yours.
Nobody can stop it or stand in the way of it. So, I wasn’t bothered at all!”
When quizzed on if she would duet with the ‘I Wanna Be Down’ diva again, Monica replied:
“I would work with her again, because.. I mean… it’s never been an easy situation. But, the reason I would do it is because we are from a special elite group. It was her, Aaliyah, and myself. And it was a very special time where each of us were individuals, we did our own thing, and we made our own mark.
And the truth and reality is that the only Grammy either of us has is together. So, that to me says something special. So yeah, I absolutely would.”
Your thoughts?
Classy, I love how she responded. I love BOTH artist and I’m so glad to know that they are still around making amazing music.
Brandy is always pressed when it comes to monica but thats nothing new brandy has a reputation of hating on all of her more prettier peers because she has always been a insecure alien looking b*****
Lol brandy isn’t hating just because she’s not kissing ass. She’s far more talented than Monica.
Lies you tell Brandy will never be better than Monica, she’s not really on her level Monica has class she don’t hate, she congratulate Brandy has always been a hater.
@Music
U r so right! Brandy shaded Kelly Rowland for no reason at all bcuz a fan said they like her music better or something to tht nature! I think Kelly seen what she said but chose not to respond… U can tell Brandy is insecure bcuz she chooses to respond to every little thing… Monica, Kelly, Ciara are all out making moves Brandy can do the same… She doesnt need to hate on the other r&b girls
Umm err Brandy has a new show Zoe Ever after and she has been on Tour in Europe plus Broadway playing Roxie Hart to Sold out audiences so she has been consistently working and stay getting checks.. She has work more then Ciara, kelly and Monica. Monica was going to nursing school, check Dr Ox show for proof..
@Tammy
If Brandy was that busy she wouldnt find time to hate on the other girls! Particularly Monica & Kelly! & I will never understand why ppl think kelly does not work! Kelly doesnt have to do much to get paid… She is the brand ambassador for so many brands such as Seagrams Escape with her signature flavors, Cadillac, Breyers Ice Cream and the Boys & Girls club. They pay her to make appearances and speak at their events. She also has her show Chasing Destiny and now new gg Junes Diary, her makeup line F. A.C.E. coming next yr, her book she’s writing and new movie she is now filming coming out next yr. She is also coming out with a new album and tour next yr. She is working even when ppl think otherwise!
Brandy didn’t say anything disrespectful and you fools trying to make it a big deal is funny. These two are probably having a huge laugh at this and to be honest I don’t blame Brandy for not addressing such a trivial thing! its an old song and both she and Monica have outgrown and surpassed this mess. Those hens at the real are just looking for something to pick since nobody is checking for them anymore! Girl Bye
Well the truth is that Monica punched brandy when they did it like at the VMA’s so….that is growth.
Monica has always been a class act. Grow up, Brandy.
You don’t know what you’re talking about becauseMonica didn’t want to do the duet back in the day. They had to change ha mind. It’s always been brandy that was more humble. It isn’t salty to not kiss ass.
She addressed it – and handled herself – well. It felt genuine. Good for her
Brandy did have a few salty Instagram posts about Mo…I was disappointed. Smh
“But, the reason I would do it is because we are from a special elite group. It was her, Aaliyah, and myself. And it was a very special time where each of us were individuals, we did our own thing, and we made our own mark.” -Monica
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaas! The music industry will never see three 14-15 year old black girls SLAYING at the EXACT same time and sell like their contemporaries…I’m talking multiplatinum receipts…PLUS have the respect of Whitney, Biggie, Boyz II Men…everybody was loving them…NAH, NOPE, NEVAH chile! lol, I hope so tho…love all three!
That was my fav part of the interview too ?
The world wint wver experience auch #blackgirlmagic again as we did when t
Aaliyah, Brandy & Monica were killing the charts with their own individuality.
I see why brandy hates on monica so much, •monica is happily married while brandy is lonely
•monica scored a gold album this decade, while brandy havent had a certified album since lizzie mcguire was on air
•Monica isnt publicly being called a “washed up hasbeen” by her label, while brandy did
•monica still looks Way better than brandy
???
Brandy not hating. She has no reason to hate on one octave.
Clearly you don’t know Monica’s catalogue.
Lies! Monica’s husband is a proven Cheater and her marriage in on skid row. Monica’s Code Red album didn’t sell not even close to Brandy’s last album. Monica’s music career is “SO GONE” that she is enrolled in Nursing school lol! She discussed it on The Dr Oz show. She doesn’t have half the acting careen that Brandy has and I”m pretty sure Bandy has much deeper pockets then “Ms Thang”
It doesn’t come down to who has more money or who sold more or who is getting more jobs. Monica is more popular at the moment and Brandy can’t deal with it. And I love the vocal bible but she should have stayed mute, she knew what she was doing.
Omg “since Lizzie McGuire was on air” lmfao
You know I must say, The Real is a lot more….smooth without Tamar.
I really don’t think Brandy meant it like that!! She probably new where the question was going, and wanted to keep the past in the past.
Yall hating on brandy refusing to understand that MONICA started it. Brandy is shady from time to time but I would be too because they were supposed to go on tour and guess who was mad that put it down was killing the radio? Monica. Whenever they both perform live you can tell that Monica tries to out do brandy but she CAN’T. Not with one octave. I love them both but brandy is the better vocalist. And in my opinion the better artist.
Where do you get your information from? Monica seemed to be pushing for that tour and it was Brandy that said the two of them were going in different directions…
Brandy is not the better vocalist. Monica has better diction, a clearer tone, more force and just a more sophisticated sound overall. Brandy usually sounds like a chipmunk with a cold. Monica is now and has always been the better of the two.
Queen your username just dragged itself. Monica literally does not have more than two octaves maximum. Brandy has three octaves and like two semi tones not to mention a whistle register. Brandy has performed with Tony Bennett and was on top of the world during ha prime so stop. Monica has nothing on ha and I love them both.
Brandy has no reason to hate on one octavica
THATS MY GIRL …. Grown woman ish all day.
Dont have to be bossom buds but just keep it respectful.
I love both but Brandy has no reason to hate. She’s the more well-rounded entertainer, dance & acting wise. Moesha, helloooo???? Plus her net worth is a lot higher than Monica’s. Brandy accomplished more things than most R&B singers out of her era. Y’all are really blowing this out of proportion.
Right
Yea she also killed people with her non driving self as well.
The truth is Monica has always been jealous of Brandy. She threw a fit when Brandy performed The Boy Is Mine on the Tonight Show. Brandy was promoting HER album…get over it. Ever since then, Monica has thrown rocks at Brandy and hid her hands. Monica better watch herself because Brandy is not holding back like she used to. The real story will come out.
Thank u! I feel like a lot of these accounts are white people cuz anybody who’s anybody knows Monica has always been the touchy one. She didn’t even want to do the duet
Girl Monica is OVER it. Brandy & her 2 fans are stilled pressed i see. Let it go. The R&B Goddess gave Bran her props & exuded class. Y’all mad.
Kitty shut up.
Monica has always been the touchy one? Really?!You guys speak like you were the hair stylist backstage with them. Get real. And before you label Mo the touchy one, what about Brandy’s well documented beef with Countess Vaughn? Touchy…
Let’s also mention the beef Brandy had with the actress who played her stepmother on Moesha
I really love me some Monica. She’s such a WOMAN! Classy, sophisticated & beautiful. I call her the GODDESS of R&B because of how regal she acts…
P.S- Catch how Grapejuice wrote this article. Being biased. I caught the shade. Don’t act like you rock with Mo but tryna praise Bran. “full moon maestro” , “wanna be down diva”.. Please.
@PuśsyHurzzz is pressedT like a panini ????
I think Brandy is being a little more out-spoken now and sometimes when people don’t start out that way, it’s not well received! Sometimes people want soft spoken people to remain mousy! This kind of reminds me of how Cynthia (from RHOA) started getting some heat from folks when she started speaking her mind. I don’t think Brandy was taking a shot at Monica with the “bye” remark, I just think she can see shady people coming (that want to put them at odds)!
People are always trying it and want to provoke the other one when one of them have an album dropping or special project in the works. I don’t think Brandy and Monica are naturally meant to be best friends, but I do think they’ve grown to respect each other! People want to make Bran out to be this antagonist and build a case by bringing up Kelly Rowland and randomness. Well it’s just like bringing up Monica’s feud with Ciara, it simply have nothing to do with Bran and Mo’s relationship! We all need to get over ’98 and move it into 2016 already!
Thank you. Brandy has always been the more media trained one. She never said anything because she was a cover girl the first black woman vocalist to be endorsed by them. She’s the first black cinderella. Monica was a ghetto diva that the hood loved so now that brandy is at a point of speaking ha mind people are acting sketchy. Brandy European tour is sold out. So was Chicago as roxy hart. She stays booked not to mention a second season of zoe ever after coming. I like Monica but I can’t stand a person that will act holy after throwing a stone.
Brandy Europeean tour? Girl sit. No one is purchasing those tickets. The reason why it was cancelled!
Excuse me, her ‘European’ show was far sold out. She only went to the UK and 1 out of 4 stops in Germany. She backed out of the last 3… Tickets were not sold out, so she didn’t bother to show up. She lost the last few European fans she had with that stunt.
Nice responsed Monica brown
Wayment… Brandy said “Chile Please” kiii, i can’t!!! Maybe Bran is still mad about the fight they had back in the day. I always thought they were pretending to beef to promote Boy Is Mine, but clearly it’s deeper than that if they are still throwing shade after nearly 20 years. Let’s move forward ladies!
Monica has said the feud was fake in the beginning and then started to get out of control for the two of them once fans began taking sides.
Anyways what tf was up with this. Countess looks so crazy I CAN’T!!!!
https://youtu.be/Z2b5z9f72Fg
Monica has a #1 album and brandy doesnt.
Monica has three }1s and Brandy has two.
Monica has a Recent gold album and grammy noms.
Both have things the other doesnt have.
Brandy only has acting on her side.
Wait a minute…Brandy never had a #1 album on Billboard 200 wow….she is bitter.
Gosh ppl…can’t we just appreciatethat we have both monica and brandy STILL out there doin their thhaaang???!!!! I mean geeze, they could’ve easily retreated amongst all these untalented newbies but no, they grindin’ and still making music. Appreciate that. And support.
As long as both women are happy with their careers,I will always remain a fan.
We’re always beefing! It never ends!
Diana vs Patti
Aretha vs Patti
Brandy vs Monica
Lil Kim vs Foxy
Biggie vs Pac
Lil Kim vs Faith
Jill Scott vs Erykah
Destiny’s Child vs TLC
JLO vs Mariah
Aaliyah vs Beyonce
Beyonce vs Rihanna
Tamar vs K. Michelle
Lil Kim vs Nicki Minaj
Chris Brown vs Frank Ocean
Drake vs Meek Mill
We’re too busy separating our celebs, then wondering why R&B is being faded! This is why half the time we’re selling below 50k, but we’re always satisfied with these numbers “being good for R&B singers”. Maybe, if we all got along better, our artists can still see 100K today (even pass their commercial prime). We’re just too busy reliving old drama and make every little reaction to these minor incidents “fighting words”.
Two washed up 90’s has beens but at least they both have talent unlike Rihanna!
I noticed some jabs here and there especially the Grammy jab.
How could it be a jab? It’s the truth.
I like both artists, and unfortunately, I can’t really find a good excuse for Brandy’s response. Her quick dismissal was disrespectful to the fan and to what Monica was trying to do whether Brandy agreed with it or not. Brandy knows what it’s like to have, to need and depend on people for support, so her response is very disappointing. She could’ve found a respectful way to decline.
I agree for the sake of her image and who she truly is to the core but at least now Monica cannot use her name anymore. We all know now they are not friends so Monica cannot use the impression that they are to get sympathy media attention. However, again I totally agree with you, but the reaction we all would have expected from Brandy is proof of her always being the one one to not stir the pot and take the classy bow. I guess we all get tired of doing good, but we should never do so. Anytime we get tired of doing good we need to stop and examine our mind heart and soul. Never get tired of doing good people, never, please.
I’ve never liked Brandy’s ugly bitter Chipmunk sounding ass.
I prefer Brandy as an artist but she’s been irking me in the last few months on social media. I unfollowed her on Snapchat and IG after all she was doing was throwing underhanded shade and complaining all the time. I remember seeing a post she made implying that Monica copied her #hatsandboys ‘swag’ after Mo performed at the vh1 Hip Hop honors wearing – you guessed it – a hat while being flanked by male dancers. I get that Brandy was a people pleaser from the get-go of and while that led to her achieving a great deal of success early on, it also brought about a very swift decline. So to compensate, she’s speaking out more and I’m all for newfound confidence but she’s going about things the wrong way. Monica’s response was spot on and I love how she ackowledged that she, Brandy and Aaliyah existing and slaying at the same time was truly iconic for R&B.
Yup, that hats and boys thing, Brandy has been throwing shade for some time now. Then she made a post with the caption “been gone” and after the child bye post, she made a post shading the whole challenge, “I guess challenges are the new wave…blah blah blah”
Monica, did not mean that in the sense of realness. She was just trying to make her self look like she is being classy by using a classy artist. Shame on Monica or maybe congratulations if she successfully accomplished what she tried to accomplish.
It’s not “mature” of Monica to rehash giving someone a beatdown on a nationally aired radio show, making Brandy look like some punk while she gives off a aura of coolness (as if it’s cool to result to any kind of violence simply because u have a disagreement with a person). This is why Monica’s career has never and will never be as big as Brandys. Historically speaking, Brandy’s entire brand has been built on how well liked she is. She’s been on countless tv shows, collabs and has a reputation in the industry that precedes her. Maybe, Monica should have taken the “High Road” like she did in this interview when she was on the breakfast club. Sad, when you can’t use them same hands you used to hit brandy, to write a ‘hit’ song!
Brandy is jealous of Mo bcuz Shannon didn´t want 2 bang her on the sidestep. I f**** with them both but love me some Monica ya heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeard
I grew up on these two girls’ music. Honestly, Monica is the one who seemed jealous while Brandy was unbothered during the 90s. Monica had a mouth on her and a temper. Monica scarred <— this is important work to take note of, her and Brandy's relationship with her snappy attitude over the years. As pretty as Monica was and still is you would think she would be cool but she was actually the jealous one. Just know that looks has nothing to do with what is in your heart or what was instilled in you growing up. Most of us thought Monica looked the best and we wish we could look like her so grown up and pretty as a teenager but Brandy's voice just could not be denied, Brandy's bubbly personality and acting on her t.v. shows could not be denied plus the love Whitney Houston had for Brandy just based on Brandy's talent alone said a lot about her many gifts. Brandy had it all even her gospel sound. Brandy and Monica tried to work it out but Monica just kept being Monica and of course Brandy did not air out their dirty laundry. It seems every time Monica decides to make a comeback into the music scene she brings up her and Brandy some kind of way. Why? Because Brandy name sells, it brings attention. I believe Brandy just stopped trying and decided to accept that Monica is not a friend and that she will no longer fool herself or the public anymore. Whereas Monica, maybe she has matured in a lot of areas and if so it is about time but this stunt she has pulled makes me pause about other areas. I wish Brandy would have just smiled and kept it going but sometimes it is what it is and jealousy has nothing to do with being real and not kissing up to anyone. Monica could have simply said Brandy and I are not friends, but I guess it was smart, businesswise, to give the impression that they are friends so she can get the sympathy card dealt to her while she try to make her comeback. Ladies and gentlemen Monica's act on The Real talk show was a smart business move by a woman all about her business not a classy move in regard to being a friend. Besides, Monica truly knows in her heart and mind that her and Brandy are not friends that is why I am certain Monica is not losing any sleep at night over this little stunt she pulled. I don't know if I should stand and applaud Monica (congratulations girl) or say shame on you Monica for what you did. Then to top it off Monica brought baby girl Aaliyah into this mess. Monica, you can not use an angel to make your funk smell good. I mean she is pulling all the stops. At one point Monica talked bad about Ciara but I guess Ciara is too high on another level for Monica to start beef with her to promote a comeback. You seem to have won over almost everyone, especially the young ones who do not know your history, except me. But that is cool. Just like Monica's song say So Gone, I say So Fake. I see you Monica, it ain't right. Come on, Man!