 Brandy and Monica delighted their fans by debuting their new single “It All Belongs to Me” on Monday. And now the R&B divas will team up to perform the song live at the Pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills this weekend. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Brandy, Grammys, Monica | Permalink |   Fourteen years after topping the charts with “The Boy Is Mine,” Brandy and Monica reunite on the highly-anticipated follow-up, “It All Belongs to Me.” Described by producer Rico Love as a “very soulful R&B song with pop sensibilities,” the ladies take a different approach from their 1998 single, kicking their men to the curb on the empowering tune. “It is not anything like ‘The Boy Is Mine,’” explained Monica. “At this point, this is where you’re taking your power back and we gon’ come together. This is totally different than that era and I hope it speaks to all the people who are making diss tracks and going hard on each other. Come together and watch the numbers move.” Brandy added, “This business is all about competition. They forgot about what is the most important, which is two talents coming together. It’s just great to come back and do something with [Monica]. This is definitely a blessing.” Two different versions of the song will appear on Monica’s album New Life, due Apri 10, and Brandy’s RCA/Chameleon debut, due this spring. A video, directed by Chris Robinson, will be shot on February 13. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Brandy, Monica, New Music | Permalink |   Brandy and Monica’s fans will get to hear the divas’ new duet sooner than expected. Their first collaboration in 14 years will be released next month. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Brandy, Monica | Permalink |   The year was 1998 and Brandy and Monica were sitting on top of the charts with their smash “The Boy Is Mine.” Fourteen years later, the R&B divas have reunited to record a follow-up to their Grammy-winning duet, which spent 13 weeks at No. 1. Under the direction of songwriter-producer Rico Love, the new record picks up where the original left off. “It’s a very soulful R&B song with pop sensibilities,” Love tells Rap-Up.com. “I wanted to make sure I made it a classic R&B record, but I definitely wanted to make sure that it had enough appeal to cross over and become a Top 40 record.” The “Motivation” hitmaker hit the studio with both ladies last week in Miami to lay down the track. While they reportedly didn’t get along while recording the original Darkchild production, the chemistry was different this time. “They both had a blast,” says Love. “They have so much history together.” In an exclusive interview with Rap-Up.com, Rico Love sheds light on how the collaboration came together, what it sounds like, and the enormous pressure he faced. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Brandy, Interviews, Monica | Permalink |   Fourteen years after topping the charts with their hit “The Boy Is Mine,” Brandy and Monica reunited in the studio to make history again. Both ladies flew down to Miami to record with hitmaker Rico Love on a follow-up to their Grammy-winning duet, which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 in 1998. “We have Both Been Blessed Beyond Measure..14years later,” tweeted Monica, while Brandy responded, “I love you so much Mo❤thank u!” Monica’s seventh album New Life and Brandy’s as-yet-untitled RCA/Chameleon Records debut are both due this spring. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Brandy, Monica | Permalink |   It was a soulful night on BET as the network aired its holiday special “A Very BET Christmas.” Looking elegant in a white gown, Monica took it to church with a cover of Yolanda Adams’ “O Holy Night,” Robin Thicke spiced up the classics “White Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Baby,” newcomer Elle Varner paid tribute to Donny Hathaway with “This Christmas,” Mindless Behavior unwrapped their holiday single “Christmas With My Girl,” Lloyd debuted a new Christmas tune, and the legendary Kurtis Blow closed with “Christmas Rappin’.” A dapper Lloyd channeled Michael Jackson during “She’s All I Want for Christmas.” “It was my turn to take a stab at all the great Christmas music I grew up listening to,” he said. “It was people like Michael Jackson, like Sam Cooke who really inspired me to want to do this in the first place.” Monica explained her choice of song. “I sang ‘O Holy Night’ which was a song that my aunt sang for many years, but I did the Yolanda Adams version because she’s somebody that’s inspired me over the years,” said Mo. “Southern girls believe in celebrating all the holidays.” Fill your cup with Christmas cheer by watching the festive performances below. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Lloyd, Mindless Behavior, Monica, Robin Thicke, TV Appearances | Permalink |   Monica was back in the spotlight on “The Wendy Williams Show.” The R&B diva chatted with the talk show host about her personal and professional life including what attracted her to her husband, L.A. Laker Shannon Brown, her friendship with Ciara, Tiny, and Khloe Kardashian, her desire to get pregnant again (“We would love to be and we practice regularly”), her charity work, and her album New Life, due in February. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Monica, TV Appearances | Permalink |   Mary J. Blige caught up with her friends in Atlanta during her last of four intimate tour dates. After performing her classic album My Life in its entirety and showcasing some of her latest material off the sequel at the Tabernacle, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul kicked back with Monica, Young Jeezy, DeVyne Stephens, and husband/manager Kendu Isaacs at an after-party hosted by Hennessy at Luckie Food Lounge. Mary was all smiles as she laughed it up in VIP, while Jeezy could be seen enjoying himself with a drink in hand. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Mary J. Blige, Monica, Photos, Young Jeezy | Permalink |   ASCAP Rhythm & Soul celebrated the achievements of Monica at its 3rd Annual Women Behind the Music Series in New York City on Wednesday night. The industry event honors women in music including artists, songwriters, managers, attorneys, label executives, and music publishers. In addition to the R&B songstress, music industry executives Phillana Williams and Mona Scott-Young were recognized. “Still overwhelmed by tonight, I’m blessed beyond measure to experience the things I have in work & life itself,” tweeted a grateful Monica, who is readying her album New Life for an early 2012 release. Other attendees included Ne-Yo and Roc Nation signee Bridget Kelly. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Bridget Kelly, Monica, Ne-Yo, Photos | Permalink |  |