Brandy & Monica Bring Down The House at ESSENCE Festival 2026 with Whitney Tribute, MC Lyte Joins On Stage, Brandy Performs Fan-Favorite Deep Cut “When You Touch Me” & More!

Brandy and Monica hit the stage Saturday night, July 4, for the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans.

The Grammy-winning singers performed as part of the festival’s Evening Concert Series at the Caesars Superdome, where Saturday’s lineup also included Babyface, Patti LaBelle, Leon Thomas, and Josh Levi.

During their set, Brandy and Monica performed several fan favorites from their respective catalogs, including their classic duet “The Boy Is Mine.” Brandy also treated longtime fans to the beloved deep cut “When You Touch Me,” a standout from her 2002 album Full Moon.

Other songs featured during the performance included Brandy favorites such as “I Wanna Be Down,” “Full Moon,” and “Have You Ever,” while Monica performed hits including “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” “So Gone,” and “Before You Walk Out of My Life.”

Their ESSENCE Festival appearance comes as the two continue to celebrate their shared legacy in R&B and the lasting impact of “The Boy Is Mine,” which remains one of the most successful and recognizable collaborations in the genre.

The 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture runs July 3–5 in New Orleans, with nighttime concerts taking place at the Caesars Superdome.

Get into some of the clip below.