Brandy & Monica vs. James Mac & Vall | Head 2 Head

In the first edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Brandy & Monica and James Mac & Vall contend for the best rendition of “The Boy Is Mine.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively. In the first edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Brandy & Monica and James Mac & Vall contend for the best rendition of “The Boy Is Mine”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Brandy & Monica, “The Boy Is Mine”

Never Say Never // Atlantic // 1998 & The Boy is Mine // Arista // 1998

“You need to give it up, had about enough / It’s hard not to see, the boy is mine.” Ooh-wee! Brandy and Monica ‘struck gold,’ rather, multiplatinum, with their iconic single, “The Boy Is Mine”.  The beloved, dominant number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 appeared on both artists’ 1998 albums.  It is the third track on Brandy’s Never Say Never, released in May.  It is the second track on Monica’s The Boy is Mine, released in July. Without question, “The Boy Is Mine” is the biggest hit of both artists’ careers. Yes, Brandy had another number one hit (“Have You Ever?”), and Monica had two more (“The First Night” and “Angel of Mine”), but the ‘one’ to beat is “The Boy is Mine,” which topped the charts for 13 weeks.  Did I mention it won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals?

What makes “The Boy Is Mine” ‘the sugar honey iced tea.” First and foremost, Brandy and Monica sing marvelously.  Brandy sounds buttery smooth in the first iteration of the chorus (excerpted above), showing off her distinct smokey pipes.  When she and Monica join forces in the unforgettable chorus, the centerpiece, the vocal contrast, and the chemistry are strong.  The ad-libs are also top-notch.  Before hearing that once-in-a-lifetime chorus, the listeners are treated to an extended intro, setting up this duel between Brandy and Monica over the same boy. In the verses, they go back and forth regarding him. “There is no way you could mistake / Him for your man, are you insane?” Brandy asks. Mo responds, “You see, I know that you may be / Just a bit jealous of me / But you’re blind if you can’t see / That his love is all in me.” Oh, snap! In the second verse, Mo asserts, “You need to know it’s me, not you / And if you didn’t know it, girl, it’s true.” Brandy responds, “I think that you should realize / And try to understand  why / He is a part of my life / I know it’s killing you inside.” It’s a fun rivalry! Beyond the singing and songwriting (Brandy, Rodney Jerkins, Japhe Tejeda, Fred Jerkins III, and the late LaShawn Daniels), the production and sound of “The Boy Is Mine” is one of many draws. It is classy and refined.  Credited to Brandy, Austin, and Rodney Jerkins, they ‘put their foot’ into it. Gotta love those colorful pizzicato string synths.  This record exemplifies the 1990s contemporary R&B sound. Ultimately, “The Boy Is Mine” is epic for so many reasons.

2. James Mac & Vall, “The Boy Is Mine” (Ft. Rosalie) – Brandy & Monica Cover

“The Boy Is Mine” // Sweat It Out // 2023

In 2023, James Mac (James MacCallum) and Vall (Valentine Leveille), assisted by Rosalie, unveiled “The Boy Is Mine”.  Even with marvelous production by Mac and Vall behind the boards, “The Boy Is Mine” is a cover of the beloved, multiplatinum 1998 Brandy and Monica classic, “The Boy Is Mine.” A cover of such a massive hit has huge shoes to fill. Mac, Vall, And Rosalie ‘give their all’ in this 21^st century take on a late 20^th century classic.

Mac and Vall superbly update the sound while preserving some of the classic cues of the original. The beat (giving Afrobeat and house) is nothing short of electrifying – lit to the nth degree. The percussive touches are magnificent.  The rhythmic guitars and keys also make the remix sweet. A quicker tempo helps establish the dance persona on the remake. Even so, the vocals by Rosalie are firmly planted in R&B. The singing is lush, playful, smoky, sultry, and warm. There are fewer vocals on this take, with intentionally repeated lyrics and omitted lyrics.  That also fits the dance aesthetic and differentiates it from the original.  What is not altered is the signature chorus – the big reason we all love “The Boy Is Mine”:

“You need to give it up, had about enough

It’s not hard to see, the boy is mine

I’m sorry that you seem to be confused

He belongs to me, the boy is mine.”

Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” is irreplaceable, but James Mac, Vall, and Rosalie ‘put in work’ on their spirited, vibe-laden remake.

Appears in :

• James Mac & Vall, The Boy Is Mine: Covers No. 1 (2025)
• BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 3 (2025)

The Verdict  

So, who did it best? Who does “The Boy Is Mine” definitively belong to? Is it the dominant, chart-topping original performed by Brandy & Monica or the refreshing, Afrobeat/house-driven cover James Mac & Vall featuring Rosalie?  This one is simple, folks. Mac, Vall, and Rosalie ‘put in work’ and reintroduced “The Boy Is Mine” to a new audience.  As a dance track, it’s sweet! But, the original by Brandy & Monica continues to stand the test of time.  13 weeks at number one, a Grammy award, and the biggest moment of both artists’ careers? Brandy and Mo easily win this first head-to-head battle of 2025!

Brandy & Monica vs. James Mac & Vall: Head 2 Head No. 1 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Atlantic, Sweat It Out; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]