The Verzuz battle everyone has been asking for is finally happening.

Atlanta’s own R&B vocalist Monica will go up against Brandy, who is known as “The Vocal Bible,” in a live Verzuz battle from Tyler Perry Studios. The battle will be viewable on the official Verzuz Instagram page and Apple Music August 31 at 8 p.m.

The battle announcement was quite a while coming. Fans have been asking for the two to go against each other since the first Verzuz earlier this year.

In May, Brandy told Atlanta’s V-103 that she heard Monica wasn’t interested in a Verzuz.

“I heard that she doesn’t wanna do it,” she said. “The last thing I heard is she pretty much turned it down, she didn’t want to be a part of that, but I understand.”

Brandy was asked about a potential battle following the success of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s battle, which was more of a celebration of the artists’ music.

Monica told the station she’d only be interested in it if it was a celebration, given the singer’s history. The two have been rumored to have been feuding to varying degrees since they recorded “The Boy Is Mine” in 1998.

“I understand the idea of (Verzuz) and I think it’s really, really entertaining and it is an incredible idea,” Monica said. “Now what I do like is it’s kind of turning into a celebration. I can handle a celebration. One thing that has happened to me my whole career is being put against someone else that I’m not even remotely similar to. I think the reality is, us being polar opposites makes it dope.”

It looks like a celebration is happening, based on the singers’ social media posts.

Brandy tweeted her excitement for the battle, including the hashtag history.

“Thank you @MonicaDenise and @verzuzonline for making this happen. Let’s celebrate!!!!”

“Celebrating these catalogs is for the culture with love!” Monica said in an Instagram post. “From Young Women to Adult Women we’ve been with y’all!”

Fans are already celebrating on social media:

About the Author

Featured

8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres