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Home • News

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
‘No Scrubs’ by TLC

For this week’s Flashback Friday feature we are partying like it’s 1999 with our favorite jams from ten years ago.

Our favorite southern trio put passenger-side-riding busters on blast in this bangin’ female anthem.

Listen Now TLC - Fan Mail - No Scrubs

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
02
‘Angel of Mine’ by Monica

Before Beyoncé was singing about halos, this ballad captured euphoric feelings of love by southern songbird Monica.

Listen Now Monica - The Boy Is Mine - Angel of Mine

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
03
‘Heartbreak Hotel’ by Whitney Houston feat.Faith Evans & Kelly Price

We would have been happy with just one, so putting these powerhouse singers on one track was a vocal goldmine, even if they were singing about trifling men.

Listen Now Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans & Kelly Price - Whitney - The Greatest Hits - Heartbreak Hotel

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
04
‘Where My Girls At?’ by 702

You must know the rules and we appreciate this trio reminding the masses our girls will be right there if another woman tries to push up on our man.

Listen Now 702 - 702 - Where My Girls At?

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
05
‘Have You Ever?’ by Brandy

We’ve all fallen deep for someone who hadn’t made the leap, and Brandy captures the feeling in this touching tune.

Listen Now Brandy - Never Say Never - Have You Ever

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
06
‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ by Destiny’s Child

The independent woman’s movement got a jump-start with this catchy song of a man being called out for running up bills he can’t afford.

Listen Now Destiny's Child - The Writing's On the Wall - Bills, Bills, Bills

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
07
‘Fortunate’ by Maxwell

Ten years ago we were just as enthralled with Maxwell as we are now. We’re feeling fortunate he returned, and this song captures what good love feels like.

Listen Now Maxwell - We Got It Covered! - Fortunate

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
08
‘What’s It Gonna Be?’ by Busta Rhymes feat..Janet Jackson

Music videos got an upgrade with this futuristic on-screen affair, and the booming beat had us rocking (back in the days of portable CD players).

Listen Now Busta Rhymes - Extinction Level Event - The Final World Front - What's It Gonna Be?! (feat. Janet)

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
09
‘Fly Away’ by Lenny Kravitz

Our favorite rocker was doin’ it big with this catchy song that served as the soundtrack from commercials to cookouts.

Listen Now Lenny Kravitz - Lenny Kravitz: Greatest Hits - Fly Away

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
10
‘Heartbreaker’ by Mariah Carey feat.Jay-Z

Our plaid-shirt and big-haired Mariah was officially gone with this sexy song and video, and the beginning of the songbirds journeyed deeper into the world of hip-hop.

Listen Now Mariah Carey featuring Jay-Z - Mariah Carey: Greatest Hits - Heartbreaker (Featuring Jay-Z)

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
11
‘Can I Get A…’ by Jay-Z feat. Amil (of Major Coinz) & Ja Rule

His mic always sounds nice, and the Jiggaman had us moving on the dance floor and thinking by the bar with his questioning of whether the ladies would love him if he couldn’t lace us in a lavish lifestyle. Figures he found a lady who can always pay her own way.

Listen Now Jay-Z - Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life - Can I Get A...

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
12
Lauryn Hill
The incomparable L Boogie first graced the ESSENCE Festival stages alongside her Fugees group members in 1996, before later returning to headline the Festival as a solo act in 1999.
Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
13
‘Sweet Lady’ by Tyrese

Tyrese quickly upgraded from the cutie on the Coke commercial with this hit song, and had us all wishing the Chocolate crooner was singing to us.

Listen Now Tyrese - Tyrese - Sweet Lady

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
14
‘Anywhere’ by 112 feat. Lil’ Z

The fellas of 112 were pretty clear on the many places they would like to get down, and even gave us a few ideas with this sizzling love song.

Listen Now 112 - Room 112 - Anywhere

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
15
‘Tell Me It’s Real’ K-Ci & Jojo

Listen Now K-Ci & JoJo - It's Real - Tell Me It's Real

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
16
‘808’ by Blaque

Left Eye’s protégés caught our attention with their funky style and this upbeat single, though it took us a second to find out what an 808 was . . .

Listen Now 808

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
17
‘You’ by Jesse Powell

His small size packed a big voice on this sweet ballad.

Listen Now Jesse Powell - Jesse Powell - You

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
18
‘Trippin’ ‘ by Total feat. Missy Elliott

We couldn’t get enough of Total in the 90’s, and when the trio teamed up with Missy for this sassy single, we had a new favorite song in the rotation.

Listen Now Total - Kima, Keisha & Pam - Trippin'

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
19
‘If You (Lovin’ me)’ by Silk

These sensual brothers made a strong return with this song of seduction. It was No.61 on the hottest songs of the year.

Listen Now If You (Lovin' Me)

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
20
‘Spend My Life With You’ by Eric Benet feat.Tamia

Luther and Stevie got a break from the wedding rotation as this song became a favorite of couples ready to say forever and always.

Listen Now Eric Benét - A Day in the Life - Spend My Life With You

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999
21
‘Chante’s Got A Man’ by Chante Moore

When Chante got a man she wanted the whole world to know, and if he was treating her that great, we were happy to hear.

What’s your favorite party memory or song from 1999?

Listen Now Chanté Moore - This Moment Is Mine - Chante's Got a Man

Flashback Fridays: Party Like It's 1999