I was lucky enough to snag tickets to The Boy Is Mine Tour — starring Brandy and Monica — in Washington DC, and let me tell you, it was a phenomenal night of ’90s nostalgia that I won’t soon forget. Held at the Capital One Arena, the atmosphere was electric from the moment my friends and I found our seats. The place was packed with millennials like us, ready to be transported back in time, and we certainly were not disappointed.
A strong lineup of special guests set a high-energy tone for the evening on Nov. 30. Due to Muni Long’s departure from the tour due to health reasons, fellow R&B star Mýa stepped in as a replacement for the remaining dates, including the Washington, DC, show. The night’s performances included Jamal Roberts, the winner of American Idol Season 23, who opened the night with his soulful voice, showcasing his rising talent. Second was Mýa, who filled in and was a perfect fit for the tour’s ’90s/early ’00s vibe, delivering a strong performance that included dancing and her classic hits like “Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)”. Lastly, Kelly Rowland, the GRAMMY-winning superstar and former Destiny’s Child member, who energized the crowd with a mix of her solo hits, such as “Dilemma” and “Motivation,” and Destiny’s Child medleys. These powerful supporting performances built momentum leading into the headlining acts.
Watch the official music video for “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland featuring Lil Wayne on YouTube:
The show was structured perfectly, almost like a live Verzuz battle between Brandy and Monica, which was a brilliant way to handle their shared legacy. Brandy, whom I’ve always known as the “vocal bible,” delivered flawless, seemingly effortless vocals throughout the night. Her voice sounded just as good live as it does on the records, which is a rare treat these days. Monica brought an energy that was unmatched, commanding the stage with a regal presence while belting out hit after hit. They traded songs back and forth — Brandy would drop “I Wanna Be Down,” then Monica would counter with “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)” — and honestly, I couldn’t decide which song was my favorite because they were all incredible. The sound engineering was so locked in; it was almost like listening to a live album recording with zero echo.
Watch the official music video for “I Wanna Be Down” by Brandy on YouTube:
Watch the official music video for “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)” by Monica on YouTube:
The energy in the arena was high all night and I didn’t sit down once — just sang and danced the entire time. The production quality by the Black Promoters Collective was top-tier, and the surprise guest appearances throughout the DC show made it feel even more special. The most exciting moment, though, had to be when our forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, made an appearance! Seeing her rock out with us to these R&B queens was an unexpected highlight and just added to the whole vibe of sisterhood and love that permeated the evening. They even had a beautiful, emotional tribute to Whitney Houston, which was a lovely touch that really hit home for many of us.
The Brandy and Monica concert was worth every single penny. I would easily give the experience a 100/10 rating. It was a perfect marriage of nostalgia and partnership, and it really reinforced for me just how much these two artists helped sketch the blueprint of R&B and pop music. If The Boy Is Mine Tour comes to your city, my advice is simple: Grab all the tickets you can. You will not be disappointed.
