BRANDY & MONICA REUNITE FOR "IT ALL BELONGS TO ME"

Brandy & Monica  - January 2012

Almost 14 years after The Boy is Mine reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart for 13 consecutive weeks (15 in Canada), the Rivalry is back on again for R&B Divas Monica and Brandy.  The Duo whom first joined forces back in 1998, going on to win a GRAMMY Award together, were in Miami over the weekend recording a new track titled Turn the Lights On It All Belongs to Me.  The Track is now slated for a February 6, 2012 release after being recorded over a session in Miami on the weekend of January 7th.

The Track, produced and written by Rico Love (seen top left in the above photo) will appear on both Monica's New Life, in-stores March 6th and Brandy's still-untitled new Disc out this Spring. Brandy signed to RCA Records/Sony Records under Producer Breyon Prescott's (seen top right in the above photo) Chameleon Records in August 2011 and is now at work on her sixth Album, with plans too for a Collaboration Album with her Brother Ray J. Monica was signed to J Records, which folded last year and now seventh Disc New Life will be released also through RCA Records/Sony Records also.  Fate?

After a productive session in the Studio,  Monica and Brandy both Tweeted their excitement, although the latter felt her vocals weren't up-to-par that day saying "Wonderful night in the studio! I wasn't 100%, but I gave it my all and it turned out great! Just a little more raspy than normal.".

A lot has happened in 14 years for bother Singers who are now Mothers. After tragically seeing her Boyfriend Jarvis Weems commit suicide before her eyes back in 2000, Monica has two Sons - Rodney Ramone III (six) and Romelo Montez (four) by then-Boyfriend Rodney Hill.  She currently is dating NBA Player Shannon Brown.  Brandy, after being involved in highly-publicized fatal Car Crash back in 2006, and having a Daughter with Producer Robert Smith named Sy'rai Iman (nine), was last known to be involved with NBA Player Quentin Richardson in a relationship ending 2005.

Are you ready for this Comeback?  Will it be possible to top The Boy is Mine?  Shouldn't they invite Producers Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Dallas Austin back for a true Reunion?

Let's re-live the glory:

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF BEYONCÉ'S "4"

Due in stores on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 via Sony Music Canada is Beyoncé’s greatly-anticipated fourth studio Disc, 4. Debut Single Run the World (Girls) has already caused a splash with the her show-stopping rendition of it on the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. The Multimedia Mogul/Entertainer logged in studio time for the twelve-track Collection only with the best including the likes of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Christopher “Tricky Stewart”, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Diplo, among others.

Available in Standard and Limited Editions, let me ask my Canadian readers the question you’re all dying to know most. Who wants to win one of three copies up for grabs of Beyoncé’s 4? If that would be you, become a Fan on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven’s Facebook Fan Page and click “LIKE” on this Posting there. Contest ends Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Good luck, Mavenati!

NEW MUSIC: BEYONCÉ - RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS)

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Although I'm not quite sure to make of this new Beyoncé Track, Girls (Who Run the World), a lot of her up-tempo numbers have been Growers for me in the past. At first I despised Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) but low and behold, I wound-up loving it after the Overkill.

This first bit of new material from her as-yet untitled fourth Disc, due in June, is produced by Switch.  She veers further away from Melody and more towards Ethnic Rhythms again here as she has in recent years. The manipulated loop of her voice I admit is a bit jarring - yet at the same time difficult to purge from my mind.  What do you think of it?

Stream the Track in full below:

Run The World (Girls) by Beyoncé

To see Photos from the Video Shoot for Run the World (Girls), click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Audio content: Sony Music)