The Boy Is Mine (song)

The Boy Is Mine is a 1998 song by American R&B singer Brandy Norwood, released as the first single from the album Never Say Never. The song was co-written by the singer with LaShawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins and Fred Jerkins III. It is a duet with Monica and was an international success. The song was produced by hit producers Darkchild and Dallas Austin.

Background information

At the time of the release, it was rumored that Monica and Brandy were estranged. Both denied this, Brandy commented: "We took the song and brought humor to a situation that people had tried to make so serious. (We chose the song to bring humor to a situation that many people were trying to make so serious. ) After attempts to record together at Darkchild's studio failed, Monica recorded her part separately with Dallas Austin. The song's theme borrows conceptually from Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's successful duet The Girl Is Mine, but has nothing to do with the song musically. The chorus was adapted by Mobb Deep and Nas in the 1999 song It's Mine: It's Mine and The Boy Is Mine are similar in terms of melody and lyrics. The Boy Is Mine: "You need to give it up/Had about enough/It's not hard to see/The boy is mine". It's Mine: (sung by Nas): "Y'all need to give it up/We don't give a fuck/What y'all niggas want/Thug life is mine".

Charter successes and awards

The Boy Is Mine reached the Top 5 in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Australia. In the USA, the single spent 13 weeks at No. 1, and in Canada the song spent 15 weeks at No. 1. The song also spent 35 weeks in the French charts. In the US, the single reached double platinum status with over 2 million units sold. Outside of the States, the single receives the Gold Record in Germany, United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland for selling over five million copies worldwide, and the Platinum Record in Australia and France. This Boy Is Mine has been nominated for and won several awards. The duet won three Billboard Music Awards, a Grammy Award and a BMI Pop Award, among others, and the song also received two MTV Video Music Award, two Soul Train Music Award, three Grammy Award and two Image Award nominations.