Editorials

Pop Performers Era of the Late 1990s/Early 2000s

It was a time where pop demanded the attention of young teens, from boy bands to girls groups. Even powerful pop solo performers took center stage during this age. These performers styled baggy jumpsuits and performed coordinated dances that were largely popular in music videos that took over MTV. Let's take a look back at 6 throwback music videos from the late 90s/early 2000s that make us nostalgic: 

“No Scrubs” by TLC —> The groups girl trio performed their music video “No Scrub” in true 1990s fashion. They wore baggy pants and platform shoes with synchronized dance movements in an intergalactic space atmosphere. Although the music video only received 40 million views on YouTube, this 1999 hit was the most played clip on MTV in May of 1999, according to Billboard. The music video performance for “No Scrubs” won several awards. Some of which included two Grammys, for best r&b song and best r&b performance. The TLC song also won an MTV music video award for best group. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLequ6dUdM

“I Want it That Way” by The Backstreet Boys —>  The 1990s started the memorable trend of pop boy bands, like N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys. In 2000, the Backstreet Boys released their hit “I Want it That Way.” Although the song displayed less of the classic boy band choreographed dance style compared to their song “Backstreets Back,” the boys still made some coordinated moves in a matching all white attire. The song was also up for numerous music award nominations. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fndeDfaWCg

“Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears —> This 1998 song features Britney Spears in a choreographed music video with multiple background dancers. In the music video first displayed all over tv screens on MTV, Spears goes from catholic school girl to hip hop girl. These planned out dance moves were a reoccurring theme in Spears’ videos. Over 10 years later, the music video of “Baby One More Time” was posted to YouTube. Since it was posted, the music video accumulated over 200 million views. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-u5WLJ9Yk4

”Bye Bye Bye” by N’Sync —> The well known boy band that monopolized the early 2000s, N’Sync, took over MTV in 2000 with their smash hit “Bye Bye Bye." With all five band members following in suit to every choreographed dance move, from hanging on strings like puppets to dancing on walls. N’Sync perfected the boy band image and dominated the game in 2000 with their “No Strings Attached” album. Their song “Bye Bye Bye” was also awarded for multiple MTV music videos. Some of the awards included the MTV video music award for: best choreography, best pop video, and the viewer’s choice award. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-KmOd3i7s

“Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera —> Aguilera first came into public recognition in the late 1990s with songs like “What A Girl Wants” and “Genie in a Bottle.” Christina Aguilera’s music video for “Genie in a Bottle” moves back and forth between “normal” seeming scenes in which Aguilera is hanging out with friends, to strongly choreographed dance scenes. Although the song didn’t receive any awards, the hit was featured on her self entitled album that led Christina to win a grammy for best new artist. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIDWgqDBNXA

“Survivor” by Destiny’s Child —> Before Beyonce went solo, she too was in a girl group known as Destiny’s Child. The fierce trio depicts their strength to survive and showcases powerful, coordinating dance moves in the music video. The group’s 2001 song “Survivor” was awarded for MTV video music award for best r&b video. The music video was also the recipient of many MTV nominations. According to Billboard, “Survivor” was reported as the second most played clip on MTV in March of 2001. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc8bQoL-J0

Although it is a bit of a cringeworthy period to look back on, these pop sensations represented a strange phenomenon in music history that many of us love to reminisce over. After growing up with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, it’s hard to simply forget all the words that we once memorized. 

by Lauren Peterson