Growing up, no one can argue that we were able to witness some of the most iconic live performances of our generation. It's no question that these performances will top those of the next generation. We might have been too young to understand the roots behind these songs and performances— but by rebelliously staying up to watch them, little did we know we were watching history.

This era of music is without a doubt irreplaceable. The level of pure genius was completely amplified with all the scandalous, artsy, fun and memorable live performances. These moments were almost too iconic for its own well-being.

Let's be real, being a little nostalgic never hurt anyone— here's a ranking of the most iconic live performances of the early 2000s:

40. "Reggaeton Latino" / "Abayarde" / "Gasolina" Don Omar, Tego Calderon & Daddy Yankee (2005)

39. "Gold Digger" Kanye West & Jamie Foxx (2005)

38. "Complicated" / "Sk8er Boi" Avril Lavigne (2002)

37. "Not Afraid" / "Love The Way You Lie" Eminem & Rihanna (2010)

36. "Paparazzi" Lady Gaga (2009)

35. "You Belong With Me" Taylor Swift (2009)

34. "Party in the U.S.A" Miley Cyrus (2009)

33. "Dirrty" / "Fighter" Christina Aguilera (2003)

32. "Whatever You Like" / "Live Your Life" T.I. & Rihanna (2008)

31. "Since U Been Gone" Kelly Clarkson (2005)

30. "The Anthem" Good Charlotte (2003)

29. "Just Like A Pill" P!NK (2002)

28. "Empire State of Mind" Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (2009)

27. "Ass Like That" / "Mockingbird" Eminem (2004)

26. "Get Right" Jennifer Lopez (2005)

25. "Wall To Wall" / "Umbrella" / "Kiss Kiss" Chris Brown & Rihanna (2007)

24. "Genie in a Bottle" / "Come On Over (All I Want Is You)" / "Livin' It Up" Christina Aguilera (2000)

23. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" Panic! At The Disco (2006)

22. "Everybody" / "We've Got It Going On" / "That's The Way I Like It" Backstreet Boys (2000)

21. "Toy Soldiers" / "Just Lose It" Eminem (2004)

20. "Lady Marmalade" Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot (2002)

19. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" / "Oops!... I Did It Again" Britney Spears (2000)

18. "Love Don't Cost A Thing" / "I'm Real [Remix]" Jennifer Lopez & Ja Rule (2001)

17. "Hips Don't Lie" Shakira & Wyclef Jean (2006)

16. Introduction of Whitney Houston (2000)

15. "My Love" / "Sexy Back" Justin Timberlake (2006)

14. "Baby Boy" / "Crazy in Love" Beyoncé with Jay-Z (2003)

13. "The Real Slim Shady" / "The Way I Am" Eminem (2000)

12. "This I Promise You" / "Bye Bye Bye" / "It's Gonna Be Me" *NSYNC (2000)

11. "Lose Yourself" Eminem (2003)

10. "Confessions: Part II" / "Yeah!" Usher (2004)

9. Janet Jackson / Justin Timberlake Super Bowl (2004)

8. "Like A Virgin" / "Hollywood" / "Work It" Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Missy Elliot (2003)

7. "Like I Love You" Justin Timberlake (2002)

6. "The Rising (9/11 Tribute)" Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2002)

5. "Michael Jackson Tribute" Janet Jackson (2009)

4. "Without Me" Eminem (2002)

3. "Pop" *NSYNC with Michael Jackson (2001)

2. "It's Gonna Be Me" *NSYNC (2000)

1. "I'm a Slave 4 U" Britney Spears (2001)