St. Louis was the center of the R&B universe Sunday night. Brandy and Monica — two women whose voices have defined generations — brought their The Boy Is Mine Tour to a roaring, sold-out Enterprise Center. With decades of hits between them, the duo proved exactly why their catalog still resonates. Whether you’re falling in love, falling apart, or kicking the door down, they have a song for every moment. Last night, they delivered each one with elegance, power and microphones that were unmistakably on.
The evening kicked off with Muni Long, who transformed the stage into a retro 1960s Hollywood dressing room. Her name glittered across the star-stamped door as she stepped out in a sharply tailored three-piece tartan suit. Entering to The O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money,” she took her place beneath a glowing red sign that read “Delulu,” setting the tone for her anti-love songs.
Despite recent health struggles, including performing with essentially one functioning lung due to lupus complications, Muni delivered vocals filled with both grit and polish. She breezed through her anti-love anthems like “Ruined Me” and “Superpowers.” Then Long ignited a praise break throughout the arena as she belted out “Amen.”
The show shifted gears when a butler appeared to hand her a red champagne glass as “Hrs & Hrs” began to play. She sang and cheekily tossed money onto a male dancer wearing boxers that were decorated with her face. Her dancers, Dollar and Bill, added even more energy as she closed with the fan favorite “Made for Me.” The crowd stood and applauded Long, who poured out every ounce of strength despite her health struggles.
Grammy winner Kelly Rowland took the stage next. She emerged in a black satin bra-and-shorts ensemble. A gold chain shimmered around her hips, and sheer mesh chaps that rippled as she moved. Rowland opened with a lush live rendition of “Motivation” that slid effortlessly into “Kisses Down Low.”
She hypnotized the arena with “Ice,” followed by a raw, emotional performance of the Destiny’s Child deep cut “Bad Habit.” As she knelt at the edge of the stage, lights flickered like fireflies over the crowd.
Then came the nostalgia bomb — the full Destiny’s Child segment. The audience lost it when she launched into “So Good,” followed by “Independent Women.” Thousands waved their hands as they belted every lyric. Green squares glowed across the giant screens as the bassline of “Soldier” dropped, and sent fans into a frenzy. A dance break to Paul Wall’s “Sippin’” kept the momentum flying before she wrapped the set with “Like This.” She turned Enterprise Center into a full-on dance party.
At last, the moment arrived for the women of the hour. The screens flickered to life with a high-rise elevator scene as Brandy and Monica appeared in long white trench coats draped in microphone and headphone wires, an artistic nod to their musical legacy. Each elevator floor was named after one of their hits. “The Boy Is Mine” was at the very top.
As the doors closed, a security guard barked, “Where do you think you’re going?” The women answered in unison: “Where we started.” Then, in a dramatic reveal, an elevator rose from beneath the stage. When the doors slid open, Brandy and Monica stood poised in stoic, regal stances as the arena erupted.
They wasted no time launching into a friendly, but fierce hit-for-hit faceoff. Brandy struck first with “What About Us,” her tone airy, precise, and unmistakable. Monica countered with “Knock Knock.” She effortlessly weaved between smooth vocals and rap. The energy escalated as Brandy grooved into “I Wanna Be Down,” followed by Monica’s “Don’t Take It Personal.” They transformed the arena into a 1990s block party.
Brandy’s “Best Friend” created a shimmering, nostalgic glow. Monica’s “Like This and Like That” brought sharp choreography and bold swagger. Both artists transitioned through multiple outfit changes: Monica dazzled in velvet and chiffon, bringing emotional depth to “U Should’ve Known Better” and “So Gone.” Brandy stunned in a checker-print fur before switching to an edgy brown leather blazer dress as she delivered heart-shredding performances of “Brokenhearted” and “Put That on Everything.”
Between sets, the 2025 American Idol winner Jamal Roberts surprised fans with a show-stopping performance of “How Does It Feel.” He showcased pristine pitch and silky runs in a black satin suit and jewel-dusted velvet jacket. His cover of Teeks’ “First Time” had one fan so moved that they practically caught the Holy Ghost.
The night reached its emotional peak when Brandy and Monica reunited in angelic white gowns to honor their shared mentor, Whitney Houston. Their rendition of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” captured Whitney’s effervescence and joy. The selection brought the audience to their feet once again.
Under shimmering gold lights, they ended with the tour’s namesake — “The Boy Is Mine.” They took opposite sides of the stage, trading lines in a playful showdown before uniting at center stage — smiling, triumphant, and together after giving St. Louis a flawless show.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
