R&B legends Brandy and Monica announced Tuesday their first-ever co-headlining tour, “The Boy Is Mine,” featuring special guests Kelly Rowland, Muni Long, and American Idol winner Jamal Roberts. The 24-city arena tour kicks off Oct. 16 in Cincinnati and concludes Dec. 7 in Houston.
The tour takes its name from the duo’s iconic 1998 collaboration, ‘The Boy Is Mine,’ which not only spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also marked a significant moment in R&B history. The announcement came with a cinematic trailer, further building anticipation for this historic event.
Individual excellence
Brandy Norwood emerged in the mid-1990s as a teenage sensation, selling over 40 million records worldwide. Her debut album spawned multiple hits and established her as a vocal powerhouse. Monica Arnold launched her career simultaneously, delivering soulful performances that earned critical acclaim and commercial success.
Awards and recognition
Both artists collected numerous accolades throughout their careers. Brandy earned a Grammy Award and multiple American Music Awards, while Monica secured Grammy recognition and Billboard Music Awards. Their combined influence shaped contemporary R&B.
Historic collaboration returns
The tour comes from the singers’ iconic 1998 duet, which spent a record-breaking 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record for consecutive weeks at No. 1 has yet to be broken.
Though the artists have had tension over the years, they have collaborated several times since their original hit, including on 2012’s “It All Belongs to Me” and last year for Ariana Grande’s “The Boy Is Mine (Remix),” which earned them a Grammy nomination for best pop duo/group performance.
Supporting acts bring star power
Kelly Rowland, a four-time Grammy winner and former Destiny’s Child member, will serve as special guest. Rowland was recently announced as The Voice UK’s newest coach.
Two-time Grammy winner Muni Long, who dropped her fourth album “Revenge” last summer, will join the tour.
American Idol Season 23 champion Jamal Roberts rounds out the lineup. Roberts recently achieved a No. 1 debut on Hot Gospel Songs and paid tribute to Kirk Franklin at the 2025 BET Awards.
Creative campaign launch
The artists announced their tour with a cinematic short film directed by filmmaker and production designer Ethan Tobman, who has worked with Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. Set in a maximum sound asylum, the trailer features Brandy and Monica using their “forbidden” harmonies to break free.
Recent career highlights
Brandy, for instance, released her seventh studio album, ‘B7,’ in 2020 to critical acclaim and followed it with ‘Christmas with Brandy’ in 2023 via Motown Records. She also appeared in ‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’ in 2024 and starred in A24’s ‘The Front Room’ the same year, showcasing her continued relevance and creativity in the industry.
Last year, both artists earned Grammy nominations for their featured performance on Grande’s “The Boy Is Mine” remix. Grande’s version reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 and featured a Catwoman-inspired music video with cameos from all three singers.
Industry impact
Shelby Joyner, President of Black Promoters Collective, called bringing the artists together “more than just a moment — it’s a cultural homecoming,” noting their immeasurable impact on R&B and describing “The Boy Is Mine” as “one of the most iconic collaborations of all time.”
The announcement comes after months of speculation following a premature Ticketmaster listing in May that was quickly removed. The tour also follows the recent boost their original collaboration received from Grande’s reimagined version.
Both artists have expressed that their reunion represents more than nostalgia, positioning it as a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the enduring support of their fanbase over the past two decades.
Lasting impact
Beyond commercial success, Brandy and Monica have left an indelible mark on the R&B industry. They have influenced a generation of female artists with their vocal techniques, performance styles, and artistic approaches, which continue to resonate in modern R&B. The artists transformed from teenage rivals into respected veterans, maintaining relevance across multiple decades while inspiring countless musicians who followed their groundbreaking path in rhythm and blues.
