1998 Rewind: Remembering Monica’s The Boy Is Mine

I’ve been very vocal about my love for the year 1998 – I believe it’s one of the last great years in R&B and hip-hop history. Since 2023 marks 25 years since those magical 12 months, 1998 Rewind will look back at some of the best (and most underrated) albums of that time.

After establishing herself as one of R&B’s fresh faces in 1995, Monica finally returned in 1998 to drop her sophomore album, The Boy Is Mine. It was a slightly different sound from the Monica were first introduced to, but that change carried her to the top of the charts. Today I’m joined by Monica stan Latoya Hagler for a look back at one of Monica’s most successful runs.

Take us back to 1998. What were you first thoughts when hearing this album?

Latoya: I must admit I was an active participant in the Brandy vs. Monica wars in middle school. I listened to Miss Thang on the daily for well over a year. So of course I was ready for album #2.  I rocked with “The Boy is Mine” as a single (reluctantly), but I was not happy to find out it was the title to Monica’s sophomore album. Despite her record label’s shenanigans, I had to support my girl. The result is one of my favorite albums of hers. Mainly because the songs are so fun to sing along to. From the ballads to the uptempo tracks, Monica was in her bag with this album. There were some pretty mature themes happening in this album (“Ring da Bell,” “Street Symphony”) and it marked a nice transition from her debut.

Edd: Michael vs Prince, Bad Boy vs Death Row – countless times during my childhood you had to declare which side of a musical rivalry you stood on. It’s proof that silly tribalism didn’t start with Twitter. In the Brandy vs Monica war, I was firmly in the camp of Team Monica, as I preferred the soulful Around the Way Girl aesthetic of her debut to the more polished America’s Sweetheart style that Brandy presented. I was pretty excited for Monica’s follow up album – though like Latoya, I was a little put off that her album was named after the single shared with Brandy. When I copped the album in 98 I thought it was … OK. Certainly not bad – it got plenty of play in my Chevy Cavalier – but it didn’t have the oomph of her debut and I didn’t keep it in rotation nearly as long as other hits from this era. Now, I’m not sure if it’s nostalgia bait, the fact that the bar for great R&B albums is at sea level today, or if I was truly too hard on it back then, but I was pleasantly surprised while relistening to the album for this post. It’s a lot more fun and diverse than I remembered.

Talk about your pick for best song.

Latoya: “The Boy is Mine”

This is a no-brainer because the song is a classic. Is it my favorite song on the album? No. It also feels strange naming a song that isn’t even currently available to stream as part of the album. Controversies aside, this was a moment in history and both ladies brought their A-games for the track.

Edd: “The Boy is Mine”

Yep, a no brainer. “The Boy is Mine” may have worn out its welcome in 1998 – That. Song. Was. EVERYWHERE – bBut it’s an absolute classic record, expertly performed and spawned one of the most memorable videos of that era. Speaking of which…

What about best video?

Latoya: “The Boy is Mine”

This was the perfect way to play up the rivalry between Monica and Brandy. The Jerry Springer clip at the beginning is the perfect time stamp, and perhaps a bit of foreshadowing.

Edd: “The Boy is Mine”

Another no brainer. It’s hard to talk about the impact of this video without totally recycling my thoughts from our Never Say Never retrospective, so I’ll keep it short: “The Boy Is Mine” already tells a great story and the visuals only accentuate it. The reveal of Brandy AND Monica united against Mekhi Phifer at the end was a great moment.

Name a song that should have been a single.

Latoya: “Ring da Bell”

Considering she had three singles go #1 on the Hot 100 I would say her team did pretty well on single selection. If i had to add another it would be “Ring Da Bell.” It would not have been a pop hit, but R&B radio would have eaten this one up. The production on this is very strong and the theme of kicking an unfaithful lover to the curb never gets old.

Edd: “Cross the Room”

I’m kinda surprised you went with “Ring Da Bell” – I never found much appeal in that one. But what I DID find great appeal in was “Cross the Room.” Monica lacked a true upbeat single and this would have had the skating rinks on FIRE. “The Boy is Mine” generated five singles (and three No. 1s) so she didn’t really need a sixth. But I wouldn’t switch the radio station if “Cross the Room” crossed my dial.

Monica is known for those vocals. Which song boasts the best vocal peformance?

Latoya: “For You I Will”

This is a bit of a cheat code considering the song was released in 1996, but hey, they stuck it at the end of the album (wisely). You really can’t miss with a David Foster/Diane Warren collab and Monica’s alto voice is at it’s peak on this one.

Edd: “For You I Will”

Latoya’s absolutely right here. “For You I Will” has become a staple in Monica’s catalog so I wasn’t shocked to see it migrate from the Space Jam soundtrack to her sophomore album. It’s arguably Monica’s best vocal performance period, especially in terms of singles. This was a big win for her.

Which track has the best production?

Latoya: “The First Night”

This song did not hit #1 by accident. Jermaine Dupri’s flip of Diana Ross’s “Love Hangover” made for the perfect groove. Monica isn’t known for her dancing, but there was no way she was performing this song without choreo. This beat was simply irresistible.

Edd: “Street Symphony”

I almost went with “The First Night,” especially since it bucks the trend of the album’s moody ballads. But those strings on “Street Symphony” just keep calling my name so I’ll go with them. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra provided the backdrop for this track, bringing an elegant regalness to Monica’s street tales. I love the contrast.

What’s the most underrated track here?

Latoya: “Gone be Fine”

I admit it was a while before I paid this song much attention, but it is one of the stronger tracks on the album as I go back and listen. Of course you can never go wrong with an assist from Outkast.

Edd: “Take Him Back”

I’ve gassed up “Cross the Room” enough so I’ll show love to “Take Him Back.” Latoya probably doesn’t love this one as much as I do but that Sting “Shape of My Heart” sample is undeniable and has been the foundation for more than a few hits. You can’t go wrong with it and makes “Take Him Back” one of the more enjoyable album cuts.

The Boy is Mine is a clear evolution from her 1995 debut. What did you think of the change? Was it for the better?

Latoya: This album was for sure an evolution from her debut. There were some heavy hitters involved with this and you could definitely feel Clive Davis’ input. This made for some great moments, but the album really doesn’t feel like Monica. It loses a little steam on the second half and the uptempo tracks are pretty interchangeable.  This album was a little too polished and I am glad she was able to break free on her next project … and get rid of those ridiculous tattoo arm cover bands they made her wear!

Edd: Latoya nails it again. I wasn’t in love with this album in 1998 because it didn’t feel like MY Monica. It felt too safe, too delicate, and too obviously attempting to play to mainstream audiences. And seeing that it still stands as her most successful album, maybe it was the right move. Don’t misunderstand me, evolution is necessary and this album in hindsight is stronger than I remember. But her follow-ups felt like better balance of growth and the Mo we know.

Is The Boy is Mine Monica’s best album?

Latoya:  I don’t think this is Monica’s best album (that distinction belongs to After the Storm), but she most definitely avoided the sophomore jinx and cemented her place in the 90’s R&B lexicon.

Edd: The Boy is Mine is a good album but it’s No. 3 on Monica’s list of accolades, with her debut still at the top and After the Storm coming in at a close No. 2. Still, it showed needed growth, produced some big hits, proved she could be a force on the charts among stiff competition and laid the groundwork for even greater days for Goonica.

Who are you cosigning, Latoya or Edd? Let us know in the comments below and share you favorite Boy is Mine moments.