Monica was so cute and sassy in the 90s. This video and song are heavily linked to a lot of high school memories. Flirting with Crabby, basketball, summer changing to fall, and fashion. I just HAD to have a white and khaki outfit after being influenced by this video. I think I was trying to find a khaki skirt and couldn't, so settled for some khaki capris and a white tank top. LAWD.
Homegirl at the 2:18 mark was trippin' though. Bish, do you hear the lyrics to the song? All hot and bothered being a hussy on somebody's couch. Where are your parents? Anyhoo, I thought it was a nice message for teenagers since this came out my sophomore year (I think) of high school. It didn't avoid the fact that there is temptation out there for girls, but firmly said "not now" with a cute little beat.
I had a special request from Doc Brown to feature SWV, so that's what we're visiting today. Even though only 1.3 out of 3 members sang, everyone loved-did them some SWV. Coko and those fanga-nails...lawd. I picked a favorite song from each album:
Weak
Red lipstick, check. Camouflage, check. Industrial/elevator/shadowy setting, check. Velociraptor fingernails, check. I used to sing my little pre-pre-teen heart over this, lol. And I know many of y'all did too; don't front!
Use Your Heart
Apparently, this is a Neptunes production and Pharrell wrote the song! He was on so much 90s stuff that I had no clue! Anyhoo, I loved Taj's voice on this song. It was almost like hearing the Grim Reaper's voice because you would only hear Coko sing, so it was a surprise.
Someone
I still like this song even with P. Diddy douching up the song flying around in a helicopter for no reason. Motha****** are you even licensed?!
My husband is going to side-eye me so hard for this, but I DON'T CARE! I know I am not the only one who was jamming Immature as a pre-teenybopper...sheeit I know there were grown ass women jamming to them, DON'T HATE! Of course looking back now at Batman, Romeo, and LDB (lol, there was never any love for LDB)...and their hair...and that high, soft voice...and those clothes...I just can't. Journey back with me, won't you?
Never Lie
This was their debut single. Jesus H. Christ, where do I begin? The ocean, the hair sleekly pulled back into buns, the eye-patch, the silver jewelry, the hoop earrings, the Different World sunglasses, and where the hell are their parents? Does this just happen in everyday life where 12 year old boys congregate at the beach to share some raw emotion over a girl? Get you some of that zest at the 1:15 mark...so dead at the serious looks they are giving...Of course we can't forget the cuntiest part of the song toward the 3:40 mark: "Lie-ee-i-ee-i, lie-ee-i-ee-i...excuse me while I go resuscitate my soul.
Feel The Funk
Sofa king destroyed at Batman's "Rihanna" bob and Romeo's "trip to Cancun" micro-braids. Oh, 90s. So much was allowed back then. I'm not gonna sit here and pretend I didn't use to groove to this though.
Please Don't Go
Um, this video was kind of heavy for pre-teens...my little sensitive 11-year old ass used to cry when I watched it...this has to be a top contender for the Raw Emotion of the 90s award. I read a long time ago that the song was written for Marques Houston's mother who died of cancer. I imagine that was a bit awkward to translate this into a love story for the video. There were bedside chats (again, who's parents allowed this shit?), graphic pre-teen makeout sessions, realization of death (she keeps holding her stomach but the viewers never know why she died...ultimate crazy gas?), tearing shirts off to reveal teenage pecs in the rain, cemetaries and tombstones, dressed in all black...I think this video actually traumatized me, like watching Bambi's mother get gunned down in the Disney movie.
We Got It
Aw, what happened to the innocent, fun songs? Can't come out with anything like this now and expect to sell...one thing about Immature is they never tried to sex things up (except when they later became IMX, but I refuse to acknowledge that tragedy any further).
In honor of the Erykah Badu concert I'm going to tonight, I am posting my favorite Badu 90s videos.
Next Lifetime
One thing I have always loved about her as an artist has been her creative videos. The scenes and time periods are striking and pleasing to the eye. I loved the concept and how she took it beyond the normal meaning of the lyrics to a quite literal interpretation. If you have not seen this video, try it out!
Tyrone
This song and video are so fun. Apparently, she made this song up onstage (not this video) when she was touring somewhere.
What are your favorite Erykah Badu songs/videos? What do you think of her?
I have never had any beef with Deborah Cox's music. I feel with the right material, she could have gone very far. Not to say she hasn't been successful; because she has. This Canadian songstress has such a strong voice, and she is gorgeous. She is of Guyanese descent; apparantly Canada has a significant Guyanese population. I digress. Here is my favorite 90's song by her, Sentimental.
Toni dominated much of the 90s with her love songs. I feel a lot of nostalgia when I hear one of her songs from this era.
Seven Whole Days
I love how blues-ey she sounds in this song: "What's a girlllllll to doooooooo" They are so wrong in this video for showing the women tearing pages off the daily calendar and drawing X's through the days, lol! They didn't have to make them look that desperate. Although, Toni took the approach that I would take in a video if I was a musician. I would have other women lookin' all sad and alone, I'll be damned if I'm playing the lead role in my own music videos lookin' a fool, lol! 90s video checklist includes close-cropped teased hair, soulful dancing (lmao @ the background singers and guitar player; they were feeling this song!), jeeps, and raw emotion.
Love Shoulda Brought You Home
Heaven help me if I ever got caught singing this song, lol. You can really get into it. Also, LMAOOOO @ the 4:04 mark.
This song/video used to make me so sad! I think it was because I was going through the after-math of a break-up at that time. I love the Kenny G. saxophone bridge: "Oh, my soul is...dyyyyyyyying, it's cryyyyyyyyying...I'm tryyyyyyying, to unnnnnnnnnnderstand, please helllllllp meeeeeee"...just wonderful.
You're Making Me High
This song is so fun. I love the blue background of the video.
En Vogue set the bar really high for girl groups. Each member sang beautifully and they were all glamoured up in their videos. I still love all the songs (and videos!) featured here today.
Hold On
Here we have a video that is 90s to its core. Raw emotion, random shirtless dudes dancing and tattered rags wearing men voguing, singers dancing funky, red lipstick, teased hair, camera zoom-ins for no reason, etc. This song didn't feature Dawn as much as the later ones did; and I liked hearing the other singers. Love (and lol at) the 90s dance choreography for: Don't waste your time, fighting lies...fight that thought, of despair.
Don't Let Go
Here is a song that you should see me sing in my car (actually, you probably shouldn't.) A mess. A total mess. I can only imagine the raw emotion on my face as I switch lanes on the freeway with this song on. I thought they all looked pretty in this video. I actually don't remember the movie version of the video (from Set It Off) but anything is better than the Mekhi Phifer version.
My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
Another song you should never, ever see me sing. ESPECIALLY the talking parts. "I give to the needy...and not the greedy! Mm-hmm that's right! Cause you see baby...when you LOCKIN, ya LOSIN!....AND I'M OUT THE DOOR!" Also: "And now it's time for a breakdown. Never gonna get, never gonna get it (times 4) WOO-WOO-WOO-WOOOOO!"...Okay, I'm done. The video is chock full of sparkles, curly-fry wigs, full bodysuits, and zesty men dancing and doing cheerleader jumps. The video kind of freaked me out for some reason. When the woman slaps down the man at the 2:34 (I think) mark, I remember feeling like I witnessed a murder or something...I don't know, that part always messed with me.
This song was a cover, but Dawn and'nem did it so beautifully. Of course the video was glamour times 100. The slinky red dresses, the swoop hair, the male audience. Great visuals (the red dresses against the blue curtains).
I heard word on the street is that they're doing a reunion, but who isn't? Call me when their record is available to preview on Itunes. Until then, I will refer to the 90s, thanks. Leave your favorite En Vogue songs/memories in the comments!
Another one of those "lets put every artist we know in the video and it will look like we chill all the time and have so much fun" videos. Oh Lil Kim, where for art thou? She was so cute back then. The plastic surgery...let's have a moment of silence for the way Lil Kim used to look.....................
Can you guess which one's the "after" pic?
I always read that she is a nice, sweet person who is intelligent and complex. I remember in 1997 or 1998 she was on Ricki Lake or...what was the blond woman's name? I'm drawing a blank. Not Sally, somebody younger and blonde...crap. Anyhoo, Lil Kim was a guest on one of those talk shows and some little pre-teen girl in the audience was telling Kim how much of a fan she was and how much she loved her music, etc. Lil Kim proceeded to tell the girl that her music is not aimed at little girls and it's adult music and her parents shouldn't be letting her listen to it, blah blah. I was kind of impressed that she said that. So in short, I gots no beef with Lil Kim, from the articles and interviews featuring her that I've read, I just wish her well. I feel she often gets a raw deal from the press/media.
Anyhoo, my color-lovin' ass was so enamored with this video and the different wigs and color sets, especially the blue and green. I loved her make-up here. This was a fun little song/video, all about having a good time.
Mint Condition - Breaking my heart Uploaded by welcomeback Another classic case study in 90's fashion/music. The vests. The high-waist belted jeans. That hair (lawd, that hair). The cuntiness of the men (especially dude eating the apple at the 40-second mark). The zesty, raw emotion (the look given at the 2:02 mark). Once again, these 90s videos have ruined my life. I still like the song though :-)
I still like this song, lol. If this video isn't the apex of 90s style, I don't know what is. The swing sets, the denim, the locket...lawd. Anyhoo I have always loved her voice. She should have been much more successful than she was. Does anyone remember when she had a semi-comeback in 1999/2000 with It's All About You (Not About Me) and You're Still in My Heart? I actually liked both of those songs and videos. I thought the latter was kind of random with her lover sleeping with her on the beach and then kissing her goodbye to go surf and then presumably getting eaten by a giant octopus or something, but I still liked it. Apparently she is focusing on modeling and acting more now but I wouldn't mind hearing some new material from her.
I don't know anyone who won't start dancing or consider dancing when they hear the opening notes of the beat from this song. POISON! POISON! POISON! P-P-POISON! Oh sorry, got caught up in the song...best line/lyric: The low-pro ho should be cut like an afro...lmao!
No matter what people have to say about Janet now, she was in top form in the 90s. I think her problem now is she is trying to do the same thing she has always done, and it just isn't working for her anymore. Artists need to evolve, especially when they have been in the industry this long. Anyhoo, I'm going to pretend that everything she did after the 90s never happened. She had a few nice songs, but overall I'm retreating back to the 90s for my favorite Janet Jackson jams.
You Want This
This video was so fun to me. I remember wishing I had a group of sassy friends like that. Also, why did I know that whole dance breakdown at the end? Why do I still know it? Lol @ MC Lyte chillin' in the car while the others danced. She was too cool for school.
Anytime, Anyplace
I still love this song. I love the jewel-tone colors in the video. Everything is smooth, steamy, and just nice.
Runaway
This song and video is so cute. I love the costumes, the dances, the lyrics are light and fun; it's just a nice, carefree song.
I Get So Lonely
This song reminds me of high school; cold winters and basketball seasons. I still like it, and she looked really cool in the video.
Back in the day, it did not matter what female rappers looked like, or whether they were sexy, feminine, or "butch", as long as they brought the talent. Female rap was about having a good time, female empowerment, and socially conscious messages. Now that sub-genre of music just has tumbleweeds rolling all through it. I'm posting my favorite jams from female rappers. Join me, won't you?
Shoop-Salt-N-Pepa
Gawd, I still love this song...I loved their confidence and they were so talented! On your mark get set go, let me go, let me shoop to the next man in a 3-piece suit/I spend all my dough, ray(?) me cutie/Shoop-shoo-ba-doobie like Scooby-dooby-doo/I love you in ya big jeans, you give me nice dreams, you make me wanna scream...lol let me stop. Ok one more: I swear, I stared, my niece my witness (lol) the brother had it goin' on with somethin kinda mmm/Wicked, wicked(?) had to kick it/I'm not shy so I asked for the digits...awesomeness.
Zhane had vocal chemistry out the yin-yang. I would love to hear new material from them, but it looks like they're each doing their own thing. Here are my favorite Zhane songs.
La, La, La
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. The harmonies are beautiful, especially Jean's crystal-clear singing voice. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how many men I meet (brings me back to you)/There's something about you, something about your smile that makes me weak (brings me back to you)/When you call my name, the sound of your voice, it lifts me off my feet (brings me back to you)/If music were love, the thought of you would always make me sing...la, la, la...//You're on my mind (you're on my mind baby, constantly)/I'm in a daze (I'm in a daze so won't you rescue me)/You're in my dreams (You're haunting me, boy you're haunting me)/You're all I need
Crush
This was my favorite Zhane song for years until I heard La, La, La. I had the CD single (remember those?) when it came out. I had no idea there was a video for this song until this year. I actually hate the video. You know how it is when you imagine a video for a song and get mad when it doesn't match your vision? Yeah. I imagined floaty dresses, the entire video in black and white, by the ocean, etc....not two women dressed in their Sunday finest, randomly staying at some dusty hotel in the middle of nowhere sexin' up muscular, chocolate twins. That's not what the song is saying at all, Zhane. Epic fail.
DO YOU REMEMBER, GIRL? ON THE PHONE! YOU AND ME! TIL DAWN! 2 OR 3 (which is so not dawn, Michael)! WHAT ABOUT US, GIRL!
AT THE PARK! ON THE BEACH! YOU AND ME! IN SPAIN!
Lol, love this song/video. I know ya'll remember doing the Egyptian dance at the end. This video was so cunty, from Eddie Murphy, to M.J. spinning into gold dust, and beefcake guardsmen, and baskets-o-snakes. Awesome.
In honor of the Maxwell concert tonight that I won't be going to *stifles sob*, here are my favorite Maxwell songs (that happen to have been released in the 90s).
Submerge: Til We Become The Sun
This is one of my favorite all-time songs. The melody, the lyrics, his voice, the entire song is so haunting, sensual, relaxing, erotic, and just lovely. I love the dark notes of the piano in the background contrasting with his falsetto.
Softly, Softly
You can't go wrong with Sweetback producing on the track....you just can't.
My favorite music style includes songs that combine lounge, electronic, ambient, and erotic tones, so Maxwell seamlessly blends these elements and the results are beautiful. I hope his next album drops soon; it is apparent by all these sold-out tours that his fan base is stronger than ever.
OMG, I have been waiting for this video to pop up on Youtube. I know a lot of Houstonians remember this song, but not like I do! My cousin and I knew THE WHOLE SONG and I must say, I still remember the lyrics.
Yes, the video is broke as hell and the twins are indeed ghetto, the lyrics are actually pretty good, and a positive message for young girls out there lurks underneath the sunglasses, blue lipstick, swoll-ass twins walking toward the camera, fur coats, and such.
If GB don't hustle then my kid won't eat/My kid don't eat/Then Mama won't sleep/I have no time to sit around/See what his dad gon' do/He ain't do shit from the start/What the fuck he gon' do....Now he prayin' for forgiveness cause his luck messed up and/His kid growin' up and/Don't know what's up/Responsibility, have you ever heard of it baby/I'm a strong chick and you will never worry me baby...Your baby son is growin' up/Baby mama's blowin' up/If I catch that tail, I just might leave it swoll'd up (LOL)/In this world to make a child it takes a man to raise one/Boy you just made one/Too stupid to raise one/And these youngsters think you cold, let em' know you ain't ___ but a ___/When it comes down to this real ____ (some of the song sounds better with the censor)/Responsibility he couldn't take/And that was one of the many things that made him fake/You really think you's a man/Hey busta you's a lie! (LMAO)/Strong women survive/FAKE PLAYAS DIE......fake playas die
Well if I didn't write rhymes/Where the hell I'd be?/And if I don't pay rent/Where the hell I'ma sleep/I ain't dependin' on my man cuz he ain't worth it/And if I did depend on mine I'd be a stuck out chick/I keep my eyes on my riches/Women do the same/Ain't no love in this game/Ain't a damn thing changed....I give them girls the finger who ain't bout makin' dollas (ROFL)
The first thing you must do is stay true/Dependin' on your man leave you stuck like glue.....Only thing he wanna do is screw/Lord knows that's the truth/Now your rent's past due/And your man's sayin' it's through/Who gon pay the bills, now where you live, we guess it's all on you/But you totally disagree/Now your kid's up on the street/It's all about your salary/Use your best ability and you'll see
So many things to do/So many places to be/It's my/Responsibility/Responsibility-ee
Am I ashamed for still knowing most of the lyrics? A little. But stop hating. This post is dedicated to my cousin and loving, devoted husband. :-)
In honor of Halloween, here are some creepy rap videos from the 90s:
Geto Boys-Mind Playin Tricks On Me
Houston churns out some of the most....intriguing rappers. I don't think I know too many people who don't recognize the opening bars of the music and remember the lyrics: At night I can't sleep/I toss and turn.....My hands were all bloody from punchin' on the concrete.......this song, lyrically was kind of awesome. The video goes very well with the song.
Bone Thugs N Harmony-Crossroads
This video always used to get to me with it's imagery of death. The deathy dude comin away to take souls and turn people's eyes black....graphic! Nice lyrics on this one too. I remember the funeral scene at the beginning always struck a chord with me, but looking back on it I wonder why Mr. Death was all late collecting the dude's soul at the funeral....shouldn't he have already scooped his ass up when he died? Was he just trying to traumatize the poor family member who saw him? Anyhoo, this song/video was AWESOME!
Tupac-Hail Mary
I remember my cousin and I used to think this video was SO. SCARY! Now I see how very very broke it is, but that's ok though.
Okay, I remember jammin hard to this (still do--thanks Yahoo Radio!) and I think I was like 10 or 11 when this came out. If my mother is reading this, I didn't grow up to be a hoochie! Dudes, those corn-chip fingernails on the passenger side of the car.....the shiny clothes, the house party. Don't fight the jam. Just don't do it.
Wreckx-N-Effect-Rumpshaker
I was 9 or 10 when this one came out. I remember how graphic the video seemed to me back then (LOL). I wonder what those women are doing with their lives now. Will they show their children/grandchildren this classic piece of art? Anyhoo, yeah this song jammed too. Did you know Pharrell wrote the verse that Teddy Riley did on this song? I didn't! Have a magical Friday!
I'm going to start posting jams from the 90s on Fridays....to start off, here's 3 classic Friday-ish feeling songs.
Montell Jordan-This Is How We Do It Unfortunately, I can't embed it so click on the title to blast back to the 90's. This is probably the best Friday song EVER IN LIFE!
Zhane-Hey Mr. DJ I still love Zhane's music. More on them in a later post.
Aaliyah Back and Forth
Don't act like you're not doing some New Jack Swing type dances in your chair, I see you.
I am a Sociology graduate student, wife, pet-mother, and pixie. One of my favorite sociologists, Emile Durkheim, presented the notion of sacred and profane experiences in society. I believe that when one makes an everyday (or profane) experience sacred (or special) in some form, magic occurs in life. Join me as I share my interests in racial/ethnic relations, human rights, animals/nature, veganism, natural hair, music, death, general snark, and all the wonders of the world. May your day rain unicorns upon you.
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