• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Brandy And Monica’s Verzuz Battle Kicks Off With A Kamala Harris Cameo

More than a million people tuned in to see Brandy and Monica battle it out, and fans were surprised to see Kamala Harris kick it all off.
Kamala Harris Kicks Off Monday Night’s Verzuz Battle
By Tanya A. Christian · Updated December 6, 2020

Monday night transported a generation of fans back into time as singers Monica and Brandy delivered some of their most beloved songs from the ’90s. And while eager viewers were anticipating the time hop, they were surprised to see vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris kick off the epic Verzuz battle.

“I just wanted to thank you ladies, you queens, you stars,” Harris said excitedly while appearing on a screen positioned between the two women. “Thank you for doing this for When We All Vote. It’s so important for everyone. You both used your voice in such a powerful way, and an extension of our voices is our vote.”

On Twitter, fans shared their surprise to see the California senator, whose name went trending along with #Verzuz and Brandy and Monica.

Not Kamala at the #Verzuz battle!!!!! Whaaaaaatttt?! pic.twitter.com/r5FFOJtaGQ

— Lauren Symone ✨ (@LaurenSymone_) September 1, 2020

This is not the first time When We All Vote, got in on a cultural moment. Outside of the virtual dance parties meet voter drives they’ve hosted with Club Quarantine creator DJ D–Nice,  Michelle Obama’s voting rights organization has also teamed up with Babyface and Teddy Riley following their epic battle for a voter registration drive. And the nonpartisan org was also there for the virtual Roots Picnic at the end of June.  

“When We All  Vote is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization on a mission to change the culture around voting and increasing turnout,” Crystal Carson, director of communications for When We All Vote, told ESSENCE on Monday night. “To change the culture means we have to be in the culture, and iconic events like tonight’s Verzuz is just that.”

Article continues after video.

Both Monica and Brandy expressed excitement to be able to join with the organization for the memorable battle and were particularly delighted when Harris appeared on the screen rocking her Howard sweatshirt. Brandy shared that she was “fangirling” over the cameo, and Monica noted how meaningful it was for both of them to be able to come together for such a critical cause. 

I am a huge fan of both Brandy and Monica and could not have been more honored to join tonight. Our voice is our vote—let's use it in November: https://t.co/MykJL0X5gt. https://t.co/nWdUVC79BU

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 1, 2020

“We understand the importance of people getting out and voting right now,” the Atlanta-based songstress said. “And they feel so helpless right now, but that’s how you help yourself, help your community, help your brothers and sisters.”

In the comments, presidential nominee Joe Biden also popped up, as well as Representative Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and the woman responsible for it all, Michelle Obama.

Kamala Harris Kicks Off Monday Night’s Verzuz Battle

Carson said that the organization was “incredibly proud” to work with Verzuz on the Brandy and Monica mash-up. They hope a swath of voters were encouraged to register and make their voices heard ahead of the 2020 general election. 

TOPICS:  2020 Democratic Ticket 2020 Presidential election Brandy and Monica Verzuz essence Essence News Joe Biden kamala harris Politics president verzuz verzuz battle vice president vote
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now