Brandy & Monica might not have introduced out any particular friends on the Houston cease of their co-headlining tour, The Boy Is Mine, however their back-to-back hits have been greater than sufficient to maintain the sold-out crowd ruckusly roaring with 90’s nostalgia.
The favored tour rolled into Houston’s Toyota Middle on Dec. 7, and the H-town followers made certain to let the 2 legends know they have been appreciated. Tickets have been virtually bought out main into the beginning of the present, and by the point Keyshia Cole—who was not too long ago added to the tour rather than Muni Lengthy—took the stage, the followers’ anticipation had hit a fever pitch.
Keyshia’s set was the proper kickoff to an evening of beloved, traditional songs as she introduced the home down with hits like “Love” and “I Shoulda Cheated.” One factor’s for certain, it doesn’t matter what, the girlies are at all times going to go up for Keyshia. As they need to.
The night time was a homecoming for Kelly Rowland, and Houston confirmed their hometown hero the love she deserved. Kelly—who swapped out her black costuming for a pink design through the tour’s Atlanta present—bounded onto the stage with countless power from the very begin of her set.
H-town was on their ft earlier than she sang even one be aware and stayed that manner as she made her technique to the set’s finale with “Dilemma.” Although some followers admonished Kelly’s choice to sing Future’s Little one songs all through the tour, she seamlessly blended them alongside her personal solo hits to make for a well-rounded opening act. Plus, if there’s one factor our lady goes to do, it’s look GOOD! And that she did.
Regardless of seeing the visuals shared on-line, nothing can fairly put together you to see two of each Black lady’s childhood idols stroll out on stage collectively. Earlier than launching right into a pleasant battle of the “oh, this used to my jam,” the pair stood inside their golden elevator atop a rising platform and let the viewers give them the flowers they’ve at all times deserved.
For a lot of ladies current, it was an opportunity to be transported again to a time full of lovely reminiscences, and all through the night time,
it was clear that it was the identical for Brandy and Monica. To say they have been merely musical friends could be an understatement, for millennials, the 2 have been the voices of younger love, younger friendship, and younger womanhood. They have been the voices narrating our most weak moments and assuring us that we weren’t alone.
Throughout one of many few breaks the pair took from being onstage, a visible reminding the viewers of how younger they each have been after they started their journeys performed on the LED screens. It served as a residing testomony to their survival, not simply as artists however as ladies. And much more so, as ladies who have been pitted towards each other after they have been nonetheless solely women. Each Brandy and Monica walked the straight and slender of Black younger womanhood within the public eye in order that the R&B girlies of the current day wouldn’t should.
By their battle of lead singles, hovering ballads, no.1 hits and traditional b-side data, we have been additionally reminded that almost each singer who has come into fame since them is strolling of their musical footprints as nicely.
From how they sing to the construction of their songs, stacking of their vocals, and even their runs, there isn’t any trendy R&B artist untouched by the affect of Monica and Brandy. And for those who’d forgotten that truth, The Boy Is Mine Tour made it clear. As is the best way of legends, the 2 made certain to pay tribute to those that impressed them with Brandy exhibiting like to the late, nice Aaliyah throughout her set and them each taking a second to honor thee voice, Whitney Houston.
Even with all the nostalgia, The Boy Is Mine Tour didn’t really feel like a time capsule. There was no sense from Brandy or Monica that this was an try and seize what they as soon as have been. No. This was a reclamation of their crowns, their simple affect on music, and their legacy—each collectively and aside. And on that Toyota Middle stage within the coronary heart of Houston, they opened their mouths and stole our hearts prefer it was 1994/5 once more.
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