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.
The Gilmore Girls Lives On!
Since 2000, fans of the series Gilmore Girls continue to fawn over the memorable show chalk full of pop culture references, wit, and the ups and downs of everyday life and relationships. The beloved series came to an unfortunate end in 2007.
Netflix has confirmed the resurfacing of the series in a 4 part story line as early as October of 2015. For month, Gilmore Girls enthusiasts have been obsessing with the biggest question that left us on the edge: when? When will the series air? Finally, Netflix officially confirms that the return of the Gilmore Girls will air on November 25th of this year.
Throughout the early 2000s, the Gilmore Girls’ ratings remained at a constant high for the majority of the series' lifetime. According to IMDB, the show ranges between an 8 and 9 out of 10. Although the final season’s ratings were lower than in past years, the ratings show a steep incline over the course of Lorelai and Rory’s last moments together. Throughout the seven season life span, Gilmore Girls accumulated an average of between 4 and 5 million viewers.
I remember rushing home from middle school and turning the channel to abc family; curled up in the little corner of my cozy bedroom with hot chocolate and blankets around me, I was ready for a full hour of Gilmore Girls. I was raised in a town where everyone knows everybody or is a friend of a friend; Gilmore Girls reminded me of my own home a bit. Whether it was passing by EPs local gazebo with strung lights after a snowfall, or my old babysitter and family friend who always reminded me a little of Lorelai Gilmore. Watching Gilmore Girls gave me that warm, familiar feeling. Growing up watching this show at a young age influenced my taste in music, my love for coffee and even my sense of humor. I still continue to re-live the series annually through the aid of Netflix.
Now, nearly 10 years later, the story continues. I am incredible excited to see the directors, producers, cast, and crew coming together to give the story it’s proper ending. The ending that was intended by the series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino before leaving the show after season 6. Sherman-Palladino has returned for the revival. We'll finally get to see how that chapter of the Gilmore Girls was meant to end, through the creator’s eyes.
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Gilmore Girls is more than just a revival and resurfacing of a series. It’s a welcoming home of loved characters and well known places. And now, we get to see how those familiar components have evolved over the past 10 years. Hearing the well recognized tune of Sam Phillips’ voice in the background and getting a glimpse into Stars Hollow is like returning home for the holidays. It gives me great anticipation for November 25th, 2016.