2001 was a good year for music. Pop, hip-hop, R&B and rock artists were at the top of their game. CDs were at the peak of their popularity and you could still line up at the record shop every Tuesday and wax poetic about your favorite artists with other fans waiting patiently for the latest discs.
Only problem? Even though it feel like ten years ago it was TWENTY years ago. Let’s take a trip down memory road and feel old together, shall we?
Jay-Z- The Blueprint
Though not his most “mainstream” album, The Blueprint is widely considered Jay’s magnum opus. Among the album’s producers were (at the time) two relatively unknown names: Kayne West & Timbaland. Their involvement with the project would pave the way for major success later in the decade.
Jennifer Lopez- J.Lo
While ‘Waiting For Tonight’ catapulted Jennifer Lopez into overnight success, it really wasn’t until 2001’s J.Lo that the widest of audiences would get to know Jenny From The Block. Featuring a steady parade of hits like ‘Love Don’t Cost A Thing’, ‘Play’ & ‘I’m Real’, the album eventually sold over eight million copies. The remixed version of ‘I’m Real’ featuring Ja Rule was the #1 song in the United States at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Nickelback- Silver Side Up
Ah, yes- the boys from Hanna, Alberta. Whether you are among the scores of Nickelback’s loyal fans or passionate haters, songs from Silver Side Up were inescapable in the summer of 2001. With memorable (or forgettable) songs like ‘Too Bad’, ‘Never Again’ and, of course, ‘How You Remind Me’ which became the most played radio song of 2002.
Nelly- Country Grammar
Hey! Must be the money!
Need we say any more?
Sugar Ray- Sugar Ray
OK, by 2001 it was becoming abundantly clear that Sugar Ray may have peaked in the 90s, but that didn’t stop their self-titled album from dropping one more memorable single.
Destiny’s Child- Survivor
The early 2000s without Destiny’s Child? It’s like L.A without Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg. Last but not least, we have Kelly, Michelle & Bey nailing those harmonies and establishing themselves as the undisputed early 2000s R&B queens. Survivor arrived on the scene at the beginning of summer and had us all cranking up hits like ‘Independent Women’, ‘Survivor’ and of course, ‘Bootylicious’. No big deal or anything, but Survivor went on to sell north of ten million copies.
There you have it. Feeling old yet, millennials?