Pop music thrived, with hip-hop and dance music leading the way in the 2000’s. There were too many amazing songs that have not just topped the chart but also our hearts. Let’s take a musical trip back to the first decade with this throwback to some of the 2000’s hit songs.
- Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris – Yeah! (2004)
“Yeah!” kicked off Usher’s massive hit album “Confessions.” Featuring rappers Ludacris and Lil Jon, it is clearly a superstar R&B/hip-hop recording. The song spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 only budging from the top spot to make room for Usher’s next single. You really couldn’t go anywhere in 2004 without hearing this throw down.
- Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland – Dilemma (2002)
I was in no dilemma picking this song to be in the list. “Dilemma” is the most successful song of Nelly’s career, giving him his first number-one single in many countries. Nelly tries to woo an already-taken Rowland. But things are complicated: Nelly is hesitant to break up a relationship, while Rowland is clearly smitten with the enticing rapper. That in a nutshell is the dilemma.
- Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx – Gold Digger (2005)
“Gold Digger” kicks off with Jamie Foxx’s cry about a woman who takes his money when he’s in need. Soon Kanye West arrives, telling tales and cautioning wealthy young men about the threats they may face. With a close to three-month run in the top position, it remains Kanye’s biggest hit to this day.
- Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (2009)
Perhaps the perfect song for going out on a weekend night, “I Gotta Feeling” spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, helping to give the Black Eyed Peas a stunning combined 26 consecutive weeks at the top. The song has an indescribable sense of joy that is ultimately powerfully infectious.
- Flo Rida feat. T-Pain – Low (2007)
“Low” was the debut single from rapper Flo Rida featuring song writing and featured vocals from T-Pain. The combination of rapping, a huge bass line and pop melodies helped it become one of the biggest pop hit singles of all time. I mean, who doesn’t know this hit song? This features on the soundtrack of the 2008 movie Step Up 2: The Streets.