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?