’90s Sacrilege? Ariana Grande and Jessie J team for ‘The Boy Is Mine’ remake

They aren't just remaking movies anymore.

Brandy and Monica's 1998 mega-hit “The Boy Is Mine” is getting a modern “reimagining” courtesy of original producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who told HITS Daily Double that he's enlisting “Bang Bang” collaborators Ariana Grande and Jessie J for the unenviable task of trying to live up to the original:

“Next year is my 20-year anniversary and I'm doing a very special project,” Jerkins told the site. “Some originals as well as reimagined hits. So for example, I'll do the 'The Boy Is Mine' with Ariana and Jesse [sic] J.”

So how does the internet feel about this? Well…not great.

“The original 'The Boy Is Mine' is basically untouchable, and the last thing anyone needs is Jessie J's caterwauling overpowering a classic R&B track,” snipes Spin.

“Can Ariana Grande and Jessie J Not Remake 'The Boy Is Mine',” eye-rolls Jezebel.

“HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGH,” agonizes Bustle. And so on.

Reaction on Twitter also tended toward the negative:

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The thing is: artists cover songs by other artists all the time, so I'm a little perplexed by all the outrage. While “The Boy Is Mine” was indeed flawlessly executed the first time around, it won't suddenly disappear just because Jerkins has decided to UNREPENTANTLY CRAP ALL OVER ITS BELOVED MEMORY. See? Everything's fine.

Less breathlessly important but still notable: Jerkins' 20th anniversary project will also see U.K. crooner Sam Smith covering Whitney Houston's “It's Not Right It's Okay.” Not as much umbrage on this one.

Original “The Boy Is Mine” music video below. We'll keep you updated on the progress of this musical travesty.

What do you think of remaking “The Boy Is Mine”? Let us know in the comments.

×