Twenty-five years ago, The Boy Is Mineby Brandy and Monica reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 6, 1998. The rivalry between the two divas on and off the record seems to parallel the tension between people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
“Initially, when I started Divabetic, many people with type 1 diabetes gave me grief about hosting diabetes support groups open to all types of people,” says Max Szadek. “They wanted the group to be for type 1 only. But I have a brother with type 1 diabetes and a family history of type 2 diabetes, so I refused. He adds, “I’m glad I did, too, because the people living with type 1 diabetes mentored those with type 2 diabetes about their daily self-care. They showed people it was possible to live well with the disease.”
The root of disdain between the two types of people living with diabetes stems from the general public’s inability to distinguish between them. We often hear stories about diabetes in the media, but it’s rarely mentioned what specific type they’re talking about. Diabetes is a complex health condition.
The two types may share the same name, but each has distinct characteristics, causes, symptoms, and management methods. By having a clearer understanding of these two major types of diabetes, we can help those living with the disease, promote awareness, foster community, and understand the role that research plays.
Type 1 is a form of diabetes where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 is a form where the body still produces insulin but cannot use it effectively. This is known as insulin resistance. Over time, the demand for insulin overpowers the pancreas’ ability to produce it, leading to an insulin deficiency.
The sheer number of people living with type 2 diabetes also makes people assume everyone has type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control states more than 37 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% have type 2 diabetes. Just 5 percent of people have type 1.
Perhaps the fact that it’s not always clear what type of diabetes someone has is part of the problem.
For instance, the typical assumption is that people with type 2 diabetes will be overweight and not use insulin therapy, while people with type 1 diabetes will be, if anything, underweight.
But these perceptions just aren’t always accurate. Around 20% of people with type 2 diabetes are of a healthy weight when diagnosed, and many of them use insulin therapy.
The song was initially written as a solo track for Brandy by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. But ultimately, Brandy and Monica recorded the song as a duet to squash rumors of their rivalry. During the song production, Brandy and Rodney decided the song would work better as a duet and were inspired by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson‘s The Girl Is Mine.
Brandy asked her label to approach Monica as a gesture of goodwill to combat rumors of a rivalry. With her label’s permission, Monica jumped on board, and the single was released in the spring of 1998, quickly dominating the airwaves and climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The official music video of The Boy Is Mine by Brandy & Monica from the album Never Say Neverwas released in 1998.
Choosing Friendship Over Drama
Sadly the song’s success didn’t translate to love for each other in real life. In a 2012 radio interview, Monica said, “We were young. We could barely stay in the room with each other. By no means was it jealousy or envy. She and I are polar opposites, and instead of embracing that, we used our differences as reasons not to be amongst each other.”
Jet Magazine’s Senior Writer and Editor, Clarence Waldron, shares his experience living with stroke, its recovery, and memories of interviewing Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.
Coincidentally, Aretha and Luther teamed up on the duet Doctor’s Orders. Luther and Aretha developed a dynamic musical partnership, leading to beautiful and triumphant music. Luther told Rolling Stone magazine, “Aretha was one of my key influences, as I used to walk to school carrying my school books along with her album!” As time progressed, hits progressed. Jump To: The tag-team duo’s signature classic gave Aretha her tenth #1 R&B album.
Their electrifying duet, Doctor’s Orders, appears on Aretha’s album What You See Is What You Sweat (1991). We are ever so grateful to have experienced the impeccable talents of two gifted, legendary artists.
