These are definitely not in order of greatness. I was born in ‘96, and lived under the metaphorical rock in terms of music until a few years ago. Nonetheless, even I have some gems that I still haven’t gotten over since my childhood and thankfully had the chance to remember. I’m sure I’ve missed some. This one’s for you ‘94-’98 kids out there. On to the music.

1. “What’s Luv?” ft. Ashanti by Fat Joe

It should be about *points mic to the crowd*. I mean come on. Ashanti. I’m not a big fan or anything, but I can’t forget that she’s featured simply because it’s “What’s Luv”. Fat Joe basically is as early-2000s as Brock Lesnar on the cover of WWE: Here Comes the Pain or Bratz dolls. Coming off Fat Joe’s Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E). This track kicked off 2002.

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2. “Dilemma” by Kelly Rowland and Nelly

Released in the summer of 2002 on Nelly’s Nellyville and Rowland’s Simply Deep, this song came to us with a sample that would become legendary. Combined with Kelly Rowland and Nelly killing it in duet style, this single was named 75th in Billboard’s All-Time top 100 in 2012, and won a Grammy Award in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category.

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3. “Bump, Bump, Bump” by P. Diddy and B2K

This song dropped fall of 2002, with the catchiest punchline of all. The lyrics also made for one of the funniest, awkward on-screen moments including Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac (in the film Guess Who). It graced the US (Billboard) No. 1 spot for a week.

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4. “Slow Jamz” ft. Jamie Foxx and Twista by Kanye West

Released in December of 2003, “Slow Jamz” would be the 1st No. 1 single for all three gentlemen involved. The first link is the Kanye West The College Dropout version, is my personal favorite, though the colloquially “original version” would be Twista’s on Kamikaze (the second link). Jamie Foxx flexes his talent to merge with the brilliance of West and mastery of Twista. It truly is a damn good song. The single was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category.

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5. “21 Questions” ft. Nate Dogg by 50 Cent

This gem released Spring ‘03 on 50’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (the only single on the album to not have a Parental Advisory notice). With another brilliant feature from Nate Dogg, 50 Cent was able to bag his second No. 1 single. *Unf Meagan Good* *Unf Taye Diggs*

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6. “My Boo” by Alicia Keys and Usher

I could spend all day going over the Confessions album in which this single comes from, but maybe a topic for another time. Released in 2005 this one still hits me right in the feels on some simpin’ hype. The duet is almost overwhelming with the amazing vocals of both Keys and Usher, singing lyrics with a timeless message. At it’s peak, the single was No. 1 in Canada and the US (in the latter, for six weeks).

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7. “Without Me” by Eminem

It wouldn’t be right without an Eminem song. In the late '90s, Eminem put some heat out, but this may be the most catchy (memorable) as a kid. Released in the spring of 2002 as the number one single for The Eminem Show, which speaks to the magnitude of the song itself. “Without Me” hit No. 1 in 15 countries and No. 2 in the US. The Jimmy Fallon parody of this music video at the VMAs is hilarious as well.

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8. “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child

Ah, before Beyonce had to go and mess with universal equilibrium. This song is quite crucial for the lesson and message it teaches. No time for triflin’, good for nothing dudes. “Bills, Bills, Bills” was Destiny’s Child first No. 1 single in both Canada and the US, released in mid-1999. The acapella version of the song as performed by Glee actually made me a fan of the show, Glee.

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9. “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey

How could I forget? March of 2005, Mariah Carey stormed back in the music industry’s focus with a beautiful, Platinum (U.S.) ballad. “We Belong Together” was No. 1 in two countries, No. 2 in four, and No. 3 in three.

While being nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, “We Belong Together” was able to win Carey Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, making the song nominated for four total Grammy Awards, two of which it won. Carey was nominated for EIGHT that night, meaning “We Belong Together” made up half of Carey’s total nominations at the awards. That’s to say the least. The song has so many awards it would be ridiculous to list them all.

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10. “Doo-Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill

Perhaps the oldest song on the list, this one has aged very well. Lauryn’s amazing debut single also happened to be her most successful to date, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 in summer of ‘98. In ‘99, “That Thing” would win Hill two Grammy awards, in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. I’m thankful for those who played this during my early years. It also appears to be the sample behind Drake’s “Draft Day”.

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11. “Stickwitu” by Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls came out with some straight bangers with their provocative lyrics, including a pretty famous single with Snoop Dogg (I hope I’m jogging your memory with that one). This ballad, out in late 2005, came out of left field and was a complete hit, especially in my household. It would be nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category.

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12. “Let Me Love You” by Mario

Coming out in 2004 on Turning Point was this slayer by Mario. No. 1 in four countries, including the US, and No. 1 in Europe, this single is definitely directly associated to Mario and his body of work in my mind. Oddly enough, it was written by Ne-Yo.

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13. “No Scrubs” by TLC

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this is the most iconic song on the entire list. This is a timeless lesson, ladies. No. Scrubs. Like a temple inscription from Angkor Wat or a rune stone in Scandinavia (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, jeez, take an elective you damn pre-med), the song lyrics read like poetry. It’s a clear outline of how to erase scrubs from your life. Released January of ‘99, “No Scrubs” was No. 1 in 6 countries and is also TLC’s 2nd Grammy nomination for Record of the Year. If you’re interested, you should check out Bastille and Ella Eyre’s cover titled “No Angels”.

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