DECADES asks the question…Who Was Better, Biggie or 2Pac?
As Decades — our retro-themed nightclub — inches closer to its three month anniversary of opening, we’ve decided that it’s time to maybe put to bed one of the most frequent arguments that has been had in our fair club since its opening. No, not “less filling” versus “tastes great,” but rather, who was the better rap artist, The Notorious B.I.G. or 2Pac. Yes, if you come up to our “Decades of Hip Hop” floor, there’s epic photos of both of them in our “Bling VIP” area. As well, if you hang out on the 90s floor, their songs have an undeniable popularity. However, once and for all, we’re going to solve the question. How? Well, with facts and data, of course. Plus, we might throw in some opinions, too, just to make sure all of our bases are covered.
2Pac’s career as a mainstream artist started three years before Biggie’s with his guest appearance on Digital Underground’s (of Humpty Dance fame’s) single “Same Song.” As well, it has also continued long after his death with well over 100 verses recorded before dying appearing on numerous other projects. However, for what Biggie lacked for time in the spotlight prior to his untimely demise, he roughly matched 2Pac in overall album sales (Biggie hovers at 22 million while Tupac sits pretty at 24 million overall) over a career that was, while alive, three years and three albums shorter.
Biggie was a juggernaut built for pop mega-stardom from the start. By comparison, Tupac Shakur was far more of an “artist” in the sense that he was, at the time of his demise, in the third stage of a career that had evolved from party rapper, to sensitive thug, to outlandish gangster emcee. Sean “Puffy” Combs produced BIG, so, as is the case surrounding Diddy, he rapped over massive party-rocking soul samples that endeared him to pop listeners. “Juicy” samples James Mtume’s 1982 hit “Juicy Fruit,” while “Big Poppa” samples the Isley Brothers’ 1983 R & B smash “Between The Sheets,” “One More Chance” uses DeBarge’s 1983 song “Stay with Me,” while “Hypnotize” samples jazzman Herb Alpert’s 1979 hit “Rise.”
Samples were a part of Tupac’s rise too, but largely his career was based much more around words than the interplay between words and music. Biggie’s easily one of the best rappers to ever rap, but ‘Pac’s one of the few rappers to ever have a book of their poetry made available for worldwide release. There’s something for more orchestrated about Biggie’s rise that’s ultimately important. Biggie’s debut single was the aforementioned “Juicy,” which came out on August 9, 1994 and was slain on March 9, 1997. This means that BIG’s mainstream career ultimately lasted UNDER 1000 days. The level of talent and execution it takes to go from selling zero records to being able, with 1997’s “Hypnotize,” to sell 1.4 million singles on a number one Billboard album is astounding.
For as much as we laud Biggie’s 1000 day supernova rise to fame, there’s equally enough room to discuss 2Pac, who had 20 top ten singles in six years and also was such a charismatic figure that he had critically acclaimed roles in seven films including Juice, Above the Rim, and Poetic Justice. Ultimately, what Biggie did for rap music, 2Pac did something similar for hip-hop culture. Famously, it was KRS-One who said that “hip-hop is something that you live, and rap is something you do.” While yes, Biggie’s lifestyle affiliation with hip-hop culture is important, there’s a great argument to be made that 2Pac’s development into a braggadocios rapper-ternt-actor in mainstream movies likely introduced so many non-stereotypical music fans into rap music and hip-hop culture fanatics.
There’s a great conversation to be had that 2002’s Jay Z and R. Kelly’s 2002-released Best of Both Worlds album would’ve been 1000x better than that lukewarm-recieved venture had it been a Tupac and Biggie collaboration. By 2002, ‘Pac could’ve been an Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy winning rapper. As well, Biggie could’ve been a mega-star MC and the CEO of a spinoff of Bad Boy Records, and more. The two of them meeting for one mega-release in an era in rap that coincided with the production wizardry of Dr. Dre. Just Blaze, Kanye West, and more…along with the Bad Boy “Hitmen” crew that piloted Puff Daddy’s success following Biggie’s death, is amazing to consider.
So who’s the best, Biggie or Tupac? In under 1000 days, the Notorious B.I.G. accomplished the same level of hit-potential musical output as 2Pac, plus directly aided in launching the careers of Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Jay Z, and many more. Comparatively, 2Pac literally embodied the pop ego of rap music to pop culture for roughly the same amount of time that BIG had a career, and set a standard that could easily be met by the likes of 50 Cent, Ja Rule, and an entire generation of charismatic and muscle-bound rhymers with swag to burn.
Ultimately though, this is a conversation about music and culture, which both of these artists affected worldwide, forever. For the purposes of nightclubs, the answer, though worthy of deeper and greater argument, is Biggie. As Canibus says on his 1998 LL Cool J diss track “Second Round KO,” “the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th.” Given that he had only merely scratched his creative and artistic potential before his death, and the idea that he could’ve easily succeeded in the same artistic realms that 2Pac already had, we have to give the nod to the Notorious B.I.G.
Top 25 NYC Rap Hits of 1996-2006 aka “the Jiggy Era”
Not just at Decades, but at all of the clubs in the Panorama/DC Clubbing family, there’s a true love for legendary New York-based rappers as well as their most iconic hits. We’ve also noted that for as many things may feel different as of late, one of the more exciting vibes may be the idea that the idea that we may see a resurrection of the “jiggy era,” aka the time when the street-meets-club-meets-pop vibe of rap stars including the Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Puff Daddy/P. Diddy, Ja Rule, and more. Therefore, we’ve gone through Billboard charts and numerous critical reads and countdowns about this amazing era in rap and compiled the best of the best.
NUMBERS 25 TO 16
25. Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulder (2004) (PURCHASE)
24. LL Cool J – Loungin’ (1996) (PURCHASE)
23. Puff Daddy – Been Around The World (1997) (PURCHASE)
22. Lil Kim – No Time (1997) (PURCHASE)
21. Jay Z – I Just Wanna Love You (Give It To Me) (2001) (PURCHASE)
20. Puff Daddy – Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down (1997) (PURCHASE)
19. Busta Rhymes – Woo Hah (Got You All In Check) (1998) (PURCHASE)
18. Terror Squad – Lean Back (2002) (PURCHASE)
17. Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule – Ain’t It Funny (2001) (PURCHASE)
16. Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – Always On Time (2001) (PURCHASE)
TOP 15
15. 50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg – 21 Questions (2003) (PURCHASE)
50 Cent followed up his immediate pop smash success with another song we’ll re-discover later on in this countdown with a duet featuring left-coast legend Nate Dogg. A peerless rap-love ballad that still holds a near and dear spot in the hearts of all who never forget it, it continues to set a standard of excellence.
14. Nelly feat. P. Diddy and Murphy Lee – Shake Ya Tailfeather (2003) (PURCHASE)
The soundtrack for 2003-released film Bad Boys II created the perfect moment for St. Louis’ Nelly to get the swaggerific East Coast co-sign from none other than P. Diddy himself. The result was a hip-shaking hit that still packs dancefloors to the present day.
13. Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It! (2005) (PURCHASE)
The surge of Cam’ron, Jim Jones, and the Dipset was a rap radio phenomenon that eventually surged through to the pop charts. Key to this surge was the acclaim of Juelz Santana, who impressively went from Dipset lieutenant to crossover pop icon to Grammy nominated artist. This Chris Brown song created massive success for both Brown and Santana.
12. Fat Joe feat. Ashanti – What’s Luv (2001) (PURCHASE)
By 2001, Fat Joe had spent a solid decade in the rap industry without truly hitting crossover success. However, in blending with Murder Inc.’s lead pop diva Ashanti he achieved the greater acclaim that he arguably had long deserved.
11. P. Diddy feat. Ginuwine & Loon – I Need A Girl (Part 2) (2002) (PURCHASE)
The second generation of Sean Combs’ hip-hop career was highlighted by a change in name from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy, but the hits — as always — couldn’t and wouldn’t stop. Though not dependent upon an 80s pop sample for its success, this danceable ballad still was a Bad Boy hitmaker.
10. Notorious B.I.G.- Mo Money Mo Problems (1997) (PURCHASE)
Biggie’s most significant posthumous hit was his single “Mo Money Mo Problems.” Spurred on by one of his own quotes about the issues attached to making so much money so soon in one’s career, this is a cautionary tale with significant pop appeal.
9. Notorious B.I.G. – Hypnotize (1997) (PURCHASE)
Herb Alpert’s jazzy 1979 hit “Rise” provided the perfect backdrop for Biggie Smalls going in on big upping not just Brooklyn — as always — but himself, as well as how his friends in, yes, DC, prefer wearing Versace. It’s likely one of his most instantaneously iconic songs from his career.
8. Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule – I’m Real (PURCHASE)
Ja Rule’s ability to seamlessly blend rap and R & B flavor took him from being a street flavor-favoring hardcore emcee to being one of the Billboard charts’ favorite rappers of the early 2000s. Similarly to “Ain’t It Funny,” this increased the crossover success garnered by the earlier mentioned J-Lo and Ja Rule collaboration.
7. 50 Cent feat. Olivia – Candy Shop (2005) (PURCHASE)
Following the success of his debut album, 50 Cent returned in 2005 with The Massacre, his sophomore release. Clearly, 50 was not guilty of hitting a “sophomore slump,” as this album kicked things off for a second 50 Cent album that went on to achieve 15 million copies in global sales.
6. Mariah Carey feat. Ma$e and The Lox – Honey (1997) (PURCHASE)
Mariah Carey’s been NYC rap-affiliated since going back “like babies with pacifiers” with the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. However, on her 1997 album Butterfly, her collaboration with Bad Boy’s Ma$e and The Lox is a perpetual pop-rap pleasure point.
5. Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes – Don’t Cha (2003) (PURCHASE)
Maybe the greatest success of the influence of the “jiggy rap” era was that Vegas showgirl concept-turned-pop music act could blend with Busta Rhymes’ long-established dominance as a key contributor to the “jiggy” era and rocket to pop superstardom.
4. (tie) 50 Cent feat. Snoop Dogg and G-Unit – P.I.M.P. (2003) (PURCHASE)
The idea that 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo can all be on the same track discussing the fine arts of money and seduction is astounding. Steel pan meeting boom bap and rhythmic swing makes for a next level musical experience.
4. (tie) 50 Cent – In Da Club (2003) (PURCHASE)
Celebrating parties in the club? Pretty much par for the course behavior, and thus, it definitely could deserve an anthem. But, this anthem probably exceeds any expectation anyone could have for a song just discussing popping bottles and getting it in on a weekday or weekend nightlife evening.
3. Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans and 112 – I’ll Be Missing You (1997) (PURCHASE)
Celebrating the life and times of the Notorious B.I.G. could appear to be a cause for a less than entertaining song. However, in classic 1997 Puff Daddy fashion, it’s the sample from The Police’s 1983 smash “Every Breath You Take” that makes it a sing-and-dance-along classic.
2. Nas feat. Lauryn Hill – If I Ruled The World (1996) (PURCHASE)
By 1996, Lauryn Hill’s star had exploded via singing Roberta Flack’s 1974 hit “Killing Me Softly” on her rap trio The Fugees’ cover hit on the same name. Singing the hook of Kurtis Blow’s 1985 hit “If I Ruled The World” allowed for Nas to achieve a similar to Blow level of mainstream success and renown.
1. Beyonce feat. Jay Z – Crazy In Love (2003) (PURCHASE)
A decade before they were married, Jay Z and Beyonce were still very much an item. Impressively, it was because of Jay’s New York rap swagger that Beyonce was able to increase her crossover appeal. A match made in heaven long before it was literally a match made in heaven at the altar, this one is significant on many levels.
DECADES presents…The Top 20 Club-Crushing Dance Songs Of The 1990s
At our club Decades, we have a VERY soft spot in our heart for the unique throwback vibes on all three of our floors. However, if you really stop and think about it, there may be nothing more special than the retro vibes sparked by hearing dance songs from the 1990s. In one ten-year period, dance music exploded worldwide (again). However, aside from disco and electro, it was disco, electro, house, techno, hip-house, Hi-NRG, happy hardcore, Eurodance, trance, and so many more genres that gained in popularity. Therefore, in one 20 song list, you’re likely to find as many underground club smashes as tracks that can bring arenas and stadiums to their feet to this day. Now, imagine coming to one floor of a nightclub and experiencing ALL of that energy (and more), as if time were standing still. We’ll see you soon!
NUMBERS 20-11
20. Black Box – Everybody Everybody (1990) (PURCHASE)
19. Crystal Waters – 100% Pure Love (1994) (PURCHASE)
18. Tori Amos – Professional Widow (Armand van Helden Remix) (1996) (PURCHASE)
17. Captain Hollywood Project – More And More (1992) (PURCHASE)
16. Whitney Houston – It’s Not Right But It’s Okay (Thunderpuss Club Mix) (1998) (PURCHASE)
15. Bucketheads – The Bomb (1995) (PURCHASE)
14. Ultra Nate – Free (1997) (PURCHASE)
13. Deee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart (1990) (PURCHASE)
12. Madonna – Ray of Light (1998) (PURCHASE)
11. Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (1991) (PURCHASE)
10. Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman (1992) (PURCHASE)
1978 disco queen Chaka Khan sang the original version of this female empowerment, but it’s Whitney Houston’s version of it that can be found on the soundtrack of her film The Bodyguard which became one of our most beloved dance songs of the 1990s
9. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You (1998) (PURCHASE)
Before he was one-half of Daft Punk, French producer Thomas Bangalter crafted a seductive worldwide hit single with this massive and iconic house hit.
8. Faithless – Insomnia (1996) (PURCHASE)
DJ and producer-wise, this UK smash is in-arguably one of the most influential dance songs of all time. A number one hit in both Europe and America, it’s a worldwide hit that was re-released 20 years later as remixed by none other than Avicii.
7. C & C Music Factory – Gonna Make You Sweat (1991) (PURCHASE)
Rapper Freedom Williams and vocalist Martha Wash combine two eras and styles of dance music mastery on Robert Civiles and David Cole’s (the C & C in C & C Music Factory) freestyle, house, and hip-hop fusion pop platinum seller.
6. La Bouche – Be My Lover (1995) (PURCHASE)
German Eurodance pop hit “Be My Lover” is so deeply connected to the 1990s and dance music culture that it has been featured in everything from films like A Night At The Roxbury and Romy and Michelle’s High School Wedding to Saturday morning programs like Bill Nye The Science Guy and more.
5 (tie). Haddaway – What Is Love? (1993) (PURCHASE)
Speaking of A Night At The Roxbury, the film’s ultimate success is based around the use of Haddaway’s single to key Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan’s incessant headbobbing and body-thrusting “mating dance” of sorts. In fact, if you were to walk up to pretty much anyone who is old enough to remember the sketch and the movie, it actually triggers memories of the entire Eurodance-as-American pop era of music.
5 (tie). Snap – The Power (1990) (PURCHASE)
America’s hip-house movement was just under five years old when German-based duo Snap took American rapper Chill Rob G’s original version of this track and gave it a nitro-powered boost to the top of the global dance charts. Pair this one back-to-back with Snap’s other huge hit “Rhythm is a Dancer” and it’s an epic one-two punch of epic 90s excitement.
4. Deborah Cox – Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here (Hex Hector Remix) (1999) (PURCHASE)
Soulful house, rhythm and blues and masterful remixing converged when Canadian pop vocalist Deborah Cox’s end of the 90s crossover surprise chart-topper was remixed to great success by Hex Hector.
3. Madonna – Vogue (1990) (PURCHASE)
It’s an ultimate showcase of what makes Madonna the star that she is that she was able to mix New York City’s underground dance culture with pop songwriting and create a song that not only topped the charts on the dancefloors, but on the radio, too.
2. Los Del Rio – Macarena (1996) (PURCHASE)
There’s the “Electric Slide,” the “Cupid Shuffle,” and the “Cha Cha Slide.” However, none of those songs have had the massive pop success and longevity of Spanish duo Los Del Rio’s catch smash “Macarena.” How a song about a seductive woman who *really* loves to dance is one of the most identifiable songs of 90s dance is anyone’s best guess, but is unequivocally is.
1. Cher – Believe (1999) (PURCHASE)
Cher. Yes, no matter what you think about music or entertainment in general, you definitely have an opinion. Cher singing an entire dance song in auto-tune? If it were probably any other iconic vocalist, it’s a horrible idea. But there’s something about Cher, maybe in her mix of fashion, cheese, and undeniable talent that just makes all of this come together. Some seven million singles sold and worldwide #1 success later, and it set the 90s standard for dance excellence.
Top 10 Guilty Pleasure Club-Ready Songs Of The Modern Era
As dance music and pop culture in general continues the trend of turning back the clock (at clubs like our own beloved Decades), it’s probably a good time to sit down and think about those guilty pleasure songs that we’re probably going to be hearing a great deal moving forward. For as much as some of us cringe when we hear certain one-time hits, there’s something about some songs that allow them to still retain their classic appeal forever. From rap, to rock, to electronica, teen pop, and more, there are some songs that, though our eyes may roll when we hear them are still impressively get people moving, even right now. In a list compiled from everything from Billboard charts to numerous journalistic and DJ perspectives, here’s the top 10 biggest guilty pleasure club songs of the modern era.
1. Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) (1997) (PURCHASE HERE)
The Backstreet Boys are unquestionably the greatest-selling boy band of all time. However, from an over-the-top video that features the band in a haunted house, plus signature whoops, hollers and more on the track itself, it’s one of the most unavoidable radio and MTV hits of its era. When your song is so massive that it finds its way into everything from Finding Nemo to the “Howard Stern” show, to being covered by “Weird Al” Yankovic, it definitely is going to get a response. With 12 million singles sold and being a top ten hit in 23 countries worldwide, it set a standard for hit songs that very few club-ready jams may ever meet or exceed.
2. Spice Girls – Wannabe (1997) (PURCHASE HERE)
The Spice Girls sold seven million copies of their hit song “Wannabe” in 1997 ALONE. A number one hit in 22 nations worldwide, there’s a mix of mass commercial marketing, good looking women, undeniable “girl power” feminism and extremely sing-able hooks that allow it to appeal to huge crowds in nightclubs forever. The songs that appealed to teenagers and college students in the late 90s appealing to 40-something mothers and professionals in the current age is where there might be a twinge of guilt in screaming about how in order to be your lover, a guy first has to be friends with ALL of your friends, but one “zigga zig uh” later, and all is forgotten.
3. Haddaway – What Is Love (1993) (PURCHASE HERE)
German electronica artist Haddaway being so completely impassioned about understanding the definition of love makes this song a hit, but in retrospect might cause someone to pause and think, too. A stomping and pulsing wave of synth-driven electronic bliss, the vocal track adds significantly to its appeal, and ultimately really drives home to many what the early ‘90s both sounds and feels like. Guilt here might be that moment when you come to realize that it’s having a hook and beat that lock in perfect step that makes the biggest pop impact.
4. 4 Non Blondes – What’s Up (DJ Miko Remix) (1994) (PURCHASE HERE)
Remixes are the easiest way to both change a song’s appeal as well as extend its shelf life from pop radio into the nightclub. In the case of Italian DJ Miko’s cover remix of 4 Non Blondes’ 1993 hit grunge ballad, adding a hardstyle-like rave effect to the original’s yearning vocal-driven performance created significant crossover excitement. Miko became somewhat of a Eurodance superstar because of the remix, also taking a crack at The Knack’s 1980 smash “My Sharona” and 1982 Buggles hit “Video Killed The Radio Star” and more. Outside of a nightclub, a song feeling like it’s drumming deep into your soul might sound horrifying. However, at 1 AM on a Saturday night, there’s no better feeling in the world.
5. Shaggy – It Wasn’t Me (2000) (PURCHASE HERE)
There’s a good rule of thumb when it comes to guilty pleasure songs. Songs that are actually describing things that are real-life guilty pleasures likely have a much better time of having a longer-lasting appeal. Thus, Shaggy’s big-time 2000 hit about a case of mistaken identity during a mate’s potential cheating episode absolutely fits the bill. Add in a sing-song hook, party-ready raps and reggae-fusion production and it’s an ideal blend.
6. Ace of Base – Don’t Turn Around (1994) (PURCHASE HERE)
1994’s most top-of-the-charts impacting pop act were Swedish quartet Ace of Base. Reaching as far back as the age of ABBA, Sweden’s had an undeniable cheesy-yet-top-selling effect on the American music marketplace. Many of the same elements that made ABBA great, from dance-ability to a two-man/two-woman dynamic are present here. Similar to what allowed “Dancing Queen” to conquer the charts 20 year prior to “Don’t Turn Around,” it’ impressive that 25 years later, both songs are equally beloved.
7. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – Time Of My Life (1987) (PURCHASE HERE)
Most anyone who’s familiar with the soundtrack of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey star vehicle film Dirty Dancing has a very particular opinion about the song that accompanies the film’s ultimate dance sequence. The only Grammy and Academy Award-winning song on the list i this one though, which certainly speaks to one level of the song certainly being pleasurable. As far as the guilt in guilty pleasure, maybe there’s something in the film’s finest moments including lines like “never put baby in a corner” that has more to do with it than the clear excellence of the song itself.
8. Miley Cyrus – Party In The USA (2009) (PURCHASE HERE)
Though not exactly Miley Cyrus proclaiming herself to be “Naughty by Nature like I’m ‘Hip Hop Hooray’” on her 2013 song “23,” “a Jay Z song was [definitely] on” for Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter on 2009’s “Party In The USA.” One of the best-selling singles of all time, there’s something in Hannah Montana going “Hip-Hop” Montana that isn’t quite as seamless here as it was four years after this song’s release that makes it possibly one of the guiltiest pleasure songs of the past decade.
9. Len – Steal My Sunshine (1999) (PURCHASE HERE)
As an era, rap-metal spawned a ton of material that from Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie” to Kid Rock’s “Bawitdaba” and more, doesn’t exactly have unlimited appeal for the average dance floor. However, if you were to tune down the thrash and say, insert a looping melodic hook from Andrea True Connection’s cheekily seductive 1976 disco hit “More More More,” you’d have Len’s guilty pleasure one-hit wonder “Steal My Sunshine.” It’s the mix of rap, disco and pop-metal awkwardly coming together that multiple layers of guilty pleasure pop connectivity.
10. The Cardigans – Lovefool (1996) (PURCHASE HERE)
Swedish radio pop that blends bossa nova style and massive hooks defines The Cardigans’ 1996 single “Lovefool’s” guilty pleasure appeal. Add onto the song’s success the fact that it was included on the soundtrack of melodramatic teen-aimed reboot of the film version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well as sexy teen romp Cruel Intentions, and there’s something about the song that truly speaks to the awkward and shy ‘90s mall-rat in all of us. However, when publications as vaunted as Pitchfork rate the song as one of the 100 best of the 90s it overcomes any guilty association and can be revelled in pleasurably on the dance floor.
TOP 10 R & B TO POP CROSSOVER HITS OF THE ’90s, 2000s, AND 2010s
Nightlife in the past 20 years without soulful and hip-hop flavored crossover pop hits would be quite the different scene. This is especially true at our nightclub Decades, where a ton of the songs that were hugely popular during this era dot our DJ’s setlists. Most intriguingly regarding these songs, Drake’s 2016 single “One Dance” was streamed one BILLION times this year making it statistically quite possibly the number one R & B-to-pop crossover hit of all time. Alongside Drake’s huge hit, here’s nine other essential tunes that always fill the dance floor both at Decades and nightclubs worldwide.
10. Next – Too Close (1997) (PURCHASE HERE)
Nothing quite says a night at the club like slow grinding on the dance floor with a member of the opposite sex. That’s the magic of Next’s late 90s R & B to pop crossover hit. Impressively, the song has had a recent revival via 2015’s popular “Why You Always Lying” internet meme. Also interesting about this #1 dance and pop single is that it was produced by none other than Naught By Nature’s DJ, Kay Gee.
9. Dru Hill – In My Bed (1996) (PURCHASE HERE)
Though Dru Hill’s lead singer Sisqo is likely better known for his love of singing about “thong, th-thong thong thongs,” his breakout moment came alongside his three Baltimore-based buddies with whom he’d been singing since high school. “In My Bed” was remixed by legendary So So Def Records boss Jermaine Dupri, and the result was an instant club smash. The song that chronicles concerns about a cheating mate is still a heater that, when dropped at the right time, excites an entire dance floor.
8. R. Kelly – Ignition (remix) (2003) (PURCHASE HERE)
The infamous and self-proclaimed “pied piper of R & B” has released 17 albums in his 25-year mainstream recording career. Those albums have sold 50 million copies, and spawned 30 top 10 singles. Of those 30 singles, easily the biggest club groover is “the remix to Ignition.” The original version of “Ignition” was released in 2002, but it’s 2003’s remix, that’s on the updated version of Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time in 2010 at number 494, and listed at #19 on Pitchfork Media’s top 500 songs of the 2000s.
7. Usher – You Make Me Wanna (1997) (PURCHASE HERE)
Usher’s had an incredible career insofar as massive singles. But the song that’s most responsible for leading him to the heights he’s reached with the likes of David Guetta, Diplo, Lil Jon and more is 1997’s “You Make Me Wanna.” Produced by Jermaine Dupri, the song spent 46 consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts between 1997 and 1998, and is one of Billboard’s Top 100 All-Time pop hits.
6. Pharrell – Happy (2013) (PURCHASE HERE)
The only Grammy and Oscar-nominated single on this list, Pharrell’s evolution from being the New Jack Swing-style producer of Wrecks-N-Effect’s “Rumpshaker” to making retro-soul anthem “Happy” 20 years later is nothing short of truly impressive. What makes “Happy” stand out is just how deceptively simple in style and breezy in feel it is. A song that pretty much allows for everyone to feel comfortable on the dancefloor, of Pharrell’s many hits, this one is undeniably the statistical best.
5. Beyonce – Single Ladies (2008) (PURCHASE HERE)
If you’re “[u]p in the club, just broke up, and doing your own little thing,” this is your favorite song. When you break down what makes Beyonce’s biggest songs her biggest songs, it’s that they have such far-reaching and timeless appeal that makes them important. Being newly single and ready to mingle is totally an emotion that so many can understand. In an honor that’s absolutely deserved, it’s one of tne of the best-selling singles of all time.
4. Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain – Blame It (On The Alcohol) (2008) (PURCHASE HERE)
The only Academy Award winner for Best Actor on this list, Jamie Foxx crossed entertainment genres in 2008 and released Grammy’s Best R & B Performance honors. Key as well to this song’s massive success is the appearance of T-Pain’s autotune enhanced vocals. The computerized voice alteration software was a huge part of many hits of this era of R & B-to-pop crossover, this one being the most significant chart topper.
3. Rihanna – Diamonds (2012) (PURCHASE HERE)
When Sia, Benny Blanco, Stargate, and Rihanna joined forces to create a song, there were a combined total of 81 hit singles created between the members of the quartet. Thus, it’s not at all surprising that the soulful, yet breezy tropical pop jam that resulted occurred. “Diamonds” topped music charts in over twenty countries, has sold nearly 11 million total singles, has a remix featuring Kanye West, a video viewed nearly one billion times on Youtube, and numerous other honors.
2. Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines (2013) (PURCHASE HERE)
Though quite controversially inspired by Marvin Gaye’s 1974 disco hit “Got To Give It Up,” that didn’t stop Robin Thicke from having a huge crossover hit with his TI and Pharrell-featuring funk single. At its height, it was played nearly 230 million times in one week on American radio stations alone. Selling roughly as many singles as Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” unlike RIhanna’s hit, it’s easily Thicke’s most pop culture impacting single-to-date, and quite possibly, ever.
1. Drake – One Dance (2016) (PURCHASE HERE)
Having sold five million copies and having been streamed countless billions of times, Drake’s 2016 R & B-to-pop jam of the year is actually one of the most statistically dominant pop songs of all time. Tropical, yet soulful in sound and style, it’s a song all about going out to the club, and, similar to Next’s #10 song “Too Close,” all about that crowning achievement of having just “one slow grinding dance with a member of the opposite sex. In blending dance, dancehall, Afrobeat, and hip-hop into a potent combination, this one is truly an all-time super jam from the modern age.
The Five Best Club-Ready George Michael Anthems
While not specifically a “dance” artist, the now sadly passed George Michael’s music was — and is still — enjoyed on dancefloors worldwide. In the era between 1980-2000, there were impressively very few artists who matched his ability to be able to create pop-as-dance songs that so immediately drove people’s feet to the dance floor worldwide. In honor of his amazing legacy, here are, statistically, his top five dance anthems ever.
5. Freedom ’90 (1990) (PURCHASE HERE)
By 1990, George Michael was entering his second decade as a pop icon and had yet to truly take the next level as a dance music superstar. However, it was with the release of his universally-appealing anthem “Freedom ’90” that he not only achieved club superstar status, but became a music legend on-the-rise. Most significant to “Freedom ’90’s” acclaim is a music video that, in featuring supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford, upon its launch on MTV was a mega-success.
4. Faith (1987) (PURCHASE HERE)
Guitar rock songs aren’t necessarily meant to drive dance floors crazy. However, not all guitar-driven rock songs are “Faith.” Similar to “Freedom ’90,” there’s a video that’s key to “Faith’s” excellence. George Michael morphing from neon-short and “CHOOSE LIFE” t-shirt wearing member of Wham into five o’clock shadow-having, leather jacket, sunglasses and cowboy boot-clad booty-shaking solo star was something else. In the era just past America’s roots rocker-to-dance maniac story Footloose being a huge hit, Michael’s song and look as an US star-maker makes sense.
3. Everything She Wants (1984) (PURCHASE HERE)
’80s Brit-pop duo Wham! were known for making everything from rap to pop during their six-year run. However, it’s their 1984-released tropical soul single “Everything She Wants” that revealed not only Michael’s standout solo voice, but as well the idea that Michael had much more to offer as a singer-songwriter. Production-wise it, alongside songs from the likes of Culture Club and The Police, amazingly showcased the Carribean influence on UK pop. It’s a (somewhat) hidden gem of a song that is absolutely deserving of praise.
2. I Want Your Sex (1986) (PURCHASE HERE)
Most pop songs about hooking up don’t include the lyric “sex is best when it’s one on one” to imply that monogamy is best. But, then again, most pop stars aren’t at George Michael’s level of appeal to both sexes in 1986. “I Want Your Sex” is Michael’s post-Wham! solo debut, and did everything to distance him from the finger-snapping pop of his former group. A top-ten dance song in every country in which it charted, it set a standard that he oftentimes met and amazingly enough, exceeded, during his career.
1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1985) (PURCHASE HERE)
In 1965, Motown legends Smokey Robinson and The Miracles released “Going To A Go-Go.” 20 years later, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley mirrored that song’s style and feel for “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” There’s something in how the 1985 song’s saxophones and guitars hop out of the speakers and attack the emotions of the listener that makes it a winner. Throw the brightest of pop vocals on top and it’s a next-level Michael smash that set the table for everything that followed.
Top 10 EDM Hits Of The 2000s and 2010s
In the 2000s and present era, electronic dance music (EDM) has evolved from being a hard electro take on underground house music to being arguably the most popular of all global pop music sounds. At our club Decades, we celebrate this era on our 2000s floor. Therefore, prior to everyone coming out to the club or just settling in with some throwback hits, we decided to put together a list taken from a series of thoughts from leading DJs, writers, the Billboard charts and more to highlight the best 10 EDM hits of the 2000s and 2010s! Enjoy!
10. Daft Punk – One More Time (2001) (PURCHASE HERE)
Though it’s one of the major hits from Daft Punk’s 2001 album Discovery, “One More Time” combines disco, house, and mainstream pop in a way that’s ultimately become Daft Punk’s signature sound. Voted by Mixmag Magazine readers as the number one dance song of all time, it set the expectation for all of the trance, electro house, and big room smash hits to come. Whether it’s the filtered synths, thumping bassline, or melodic lead vocal, it’s iconic.
9. Justice vs. Simian Mobile Disco – We Are Your Friends (2006) (PURCHASE HERE)
Prior to 2006, Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford and James Shaw were half of English rock band Simian. As Simian Mobile Disco though, “We Are Your Friends” was their biggest hit. The song is a joint remix of SMD’s song “Never Be Alone” alongside Justice, the Ed Banger Records tandem that would go onto becoming major electro superstars. Soaring, booming, and banging its way into our collective eardrums, it’s a hit single that set the stage for so much more that followed.
8. Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At (2000) (PURCHASE HERE)
UK-based electronica duo Bassment Jaxx’s 2001 album Rooty included pre-massive festival revival-era electro party starter “Where’s Your Head At?” The searing and razor-sharp sounding dance track had massive crossover success in the United States, where it was a hit on modern rock radio. Still a jam that gets dusted off not just at Decades here in DC but at massive parties worldwide, it’s more than earned its spot on this list.
7. Eric Prydz – Call On Me (2004) (PURCHASE HERE)
Steve Winwood’s 1982 pop hit “Valerie” influenced the creation of Swedish house kingpin Eric Prydz’s 2004 smash “Call On Me.” Known just as much for its immediately connective sound as well as a video featuring scantily clad women in leotards doing aerobics, it’s the song that truly made Prydz a global household name. Impressively, when When Prydz presented the track to Winwood, he was so impressed with what Prydz had done, that he re-recorded the vocals to fit the track better.
6. Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child (2013) (PURCHASE HERE)
Epic and swelling builds, John Martin’s massive vocals, and booming electro-pop melodies combined on Swedish House Mafia’s 2013 hit. A Grammy-nominated song for Best Dance Recording, it’s the last official hit released by Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Steve Angello as a trio. A top 10 crossover pop hit in 30 countries, it’s sold seven million singles and has been streamed nearly eight million times.
5. Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire – Ghosts N Stuff (2009) (PURCHASE HERE)
One of the more instantaneously connective electro tracks of the EDM era is deadmau5’s 2008 banger “Ghosts N Stuff.” Alongside Rob Swire, the producer best known for performing while wearing a giant mouse-head mask originally made the song for his live DJ set on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Selection radio program. Amazingly enough, it wasn’t until nearly eight years later on Halloween 2016 that the song reached platinum-selling status.
4. Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (2010) (PURCHASE HERE)
“Yes, oh my gosh!”
Yes, oh my gosh indeed, as this 2010-released dubstep bomb from LA-based DJ/producer extraordinaire Skrillex ushered in an Americanized take on the long-dominant UK sound. This one isn’t necessarily dance-floor material, but if you’ve been to any festivals or massive EDM arena shows in the past half decade, the idea of moshing or shuffling instead of anything resembling busting a move to his music makes sense. Still, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” established not just Skrillex but heavy bass music in the United States for years to come.
3. Calvin Harris – Feel So Close (2011) (PURCHASE HERE)
In the past 10 years, Calvin Harris has released four top 10 albums, 22 top 10 singles, and worked with the likes of Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Kylie Minogue, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, plus more. However, it’s his solo-credited 2011 single “Feel So Close” that sold 10 million singles and was his breakout global smash. Still to this day, the trance-like vibes of the production stand out and alongside Harris’ vocal makes the track a standout heater.
2. DJ Snake feat. Lil Jon – Turn Down For What (2013) (PURCHASE)
Atlanta-based trap OG rapper/producer Lil Jon joined with instantaneous hit-making French trap producer DJ Snake for 2013 festival and top-40 radio anthem “Turn Down For What.” Following in the wake of the viral craze that surrounded Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” this wild trap anthem cemented rap’s most popular place for quite some time within the world of dance in the EDM era and beyond.
1. Avicii – Levels (2011) (PURCHASE)
Nearly 10 million singles sold or streamed. Number one in 15 countries. Official remixes from Skrillex and Cazzette, unofficial remixes from what feels like an entire generation of EDM producers. Etta James’ 1962 single, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” is sampled here, and gives the song an overall soulful vibe that makes it truly stand out. Avicii could easily be the biggest star of the EDM era, and it’s a song like this that truly makes him a standout forever.
Top Five Pop/Dance Fusion Hits Of The ’90s
Decades — DC’s only retro-themed nightclub — has three floors, it’s the 90s floor with its arcade room and black-lighted wall art that truly excited many of the club’s patrons in the club’s debut month. Alongside the decor and unique activities, the music as well has blown people away. Regarding the music, the 90s were actually not the biggest-selling era for pop/dance music. However, the top-selling dance songs from the 90s may be some of the most beloved dance songs of the modern era. Within the top five songs, there’s a mix of floor-fillers, sing-alongs and well-beloved guilty pleasures.
5. Ace of Base – The Sign (purchase here)
#1 single in 8 countries, 2 million singles sold
Swedish pop dynamos Ace of Base had a huge 1994, placing three songs in America’s top ten songs of the year. “The Sign” was the #1 overall hit of the year, as well as a top 10 single of the decade overall. Denniz Pop, the song’s producer, crafted hits for not just Ace of Base, but the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and N’Sync. When a song is so popular that it’s appeared on shows including South Park, American Dad, Full House, and more, it’s on another level as a pop smash.
4. Ace of Base – Don’t Turn Around (purchase here)
#1 single in 11 countries, 2.5 million singles sold
Ace of Base’s second massive hit of 1994 was “Don’t Turn Around,” which, amazingly enough, has a prior history some five years prior. The dancehall-style synth pop that drives the track isn’t by accident. In 1988, the song was a #1 UK hit for British reggae quartet Aswad. As well, it’s written by eight-time Academy Award-nominated, Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning, six-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year songwriter Diane Warren. With that pedigree, there’s no wonder why the Swedes’ take was so popular.
3. Los Del Rio – Macarena (purchase here)
#1 single in 13 countries, 6 million singles sold
What you may call a “cheesy dance song” Billboard ranks as the number 7 All-Time on its list of Top 100 songs, as well as number 1 on Billboard’s All-Time Latin songs. Wikipedia refers to the single as “one of the most iconic examples of 1990s dance music.” Furthermore, it was an international top-10 hit in 1995, 1996, and 1997. From weddings, parties, sporting events, at Decades, and more, it’s a song that given that it has a dance attached, always guarantees a response.
2. Madonna – Vogue (purchase here)
#1 single in 30 countries, 4 million singles sold
Disco-met-house and pop on Madonna’s highly influential 1990 number one jam. Not only is it one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” MTV’s #2 “Greatest Video Ever Made,” and Rolling Stone’s best song of 1990, but it also won an American Music Award for 1990’s Best Dance Single. One of the singles most often attributed to being key to Madonna’s mainstream superstar success, it, like the aforementioned “Macarena,” inspired a worldwide dance craze that’s still well-regarded in the modern age.
1. Cher – Believe (purchase here)
#1 in 17+ countries, 11 million singles sold
Impressively enough, after 37 years as a pop superstar, Cher had her biggest hit single with 1998’s dance smash “Believe.” In over five decades, she’s had 34 top-ten singles, but this one in particular entirely re-set a standard of pop success for her career. In the current era, Auto-Tuned voices are fairly common, but in 1998, this song set a unique progressive vocal standard in using the technology.
Soon, Pop And Dance May Love Tropical Grooves More Than Ever Before
From Decades to Ultrabar, and from Echostage to Soundcheck and more, there’s thumping basslines and swaying melodies that may currently be quite popular at all of these venues…
Some American pop music fanatics are surprised that Drake’s “One Dance” has blended tropical pop, Latin dance rhythms and hip-hop swagger in a powerful mix that will likely spend ten-plus weeks on top of the Billboard pop charts by the end of the year. If you take a serious look at the history of both pop and dance music in the United States, though, this tropical/hip-hop blend has been a successful mix for more than three decades. Interestingly enough, we’re in an era where because the top artists, Billboard-wise (instead of one-hit wonders) are making these songs, there’s a possibility that these songs could have a future at the top of the charts for much longer that lasts MUCH longer than once every ten years.
2016 sees a time where “One Dance” is a smash, while an artist like Diplo’s recently made waves with tropical-inspired songs like his Major Lazer production “Lean On,” and “Hey Baby,” his recent electro-style production collaboration with leading DJ Mag Top 100 pairing Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. Alongside Diplo, artists from Dillon Francis to Kygo and more have run the club and festival circuit with thumping, yet smooth bass jams. As well, Drake joins the likes of Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani, and others in catching the tropical pop wave.
What we could be in line for is something similar to 2006, when between Sean Paul’s booming rap hit “Temperature” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira’s duet with Wyclef Jean, Caribbean-born reggaeton dominated the top five songs of the year. Going back to the days of disco dominating both the clubs and the mainstream, there’s something to the idea that a steady beat, pleasant melody and seductive lyrics can create pop magic. Add into this the idea that both “Temperature” and “Hips Don’t Lie” featured sexy and entertaining music videos, and the songs achieved over-the-top success.
Even more, the formula applied to a series of one-time 90s hit-makers and stars of that era as well. From Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” to Santana’s “Maria Maria,” plus Jennifer Lopez’s stardom and one-hit wonders like Lumidee’s “Never Leave You” collaboration with Busta Rhymes, everything from flamenco, to soul, reggae, salsa, and more were explored, and set a standard. Include New York’s ‘80s popular freestyle subgenre — a sound that is hip-hop by way of techno, with a touch of lovestruck salsa lyricism added — providing hits for everyone from Australian pop diva Samantha Fox, New York City’s Shannon, Gloria Estefan’s Miami Sound Machine and well-respected New York trio Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam to the mix, and where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Every single Caribbean, Latin, and hip-hop sound that’s crossed over blending with the enormous establishing starpower of artists like Drake, Diplo, Kygo, and Dillon Francis create greater potential for this style of sounds than ever before. Are we looking at a situation where there’s a Drake x Bieber x Diplo collaboration that runs the pop charts for literally an entire year? Or, a situation where booming basslines, soulful love songs, and pop-meet-rap swagger collide over and over again at number one for a decade? Either way, three things that are always true are important here. People love pop stars as much as they love to dance, history loves to repeat itself, and the numbers (like hips…) never lie.
My Favorite Pop Star Is Supporting WHO For President In 2016?!?!?
The debates are completed, all of the deplorables have been placed in their baskets, the emails have been checked twice, and the swatches of battle lines have been drawn in the most “bigly” (or is that “big league?”) manner possible. The 2016 American Presidential election is upon us, and if you’re on the fence, or remotely interested, here’s a last-second look at some of your favorite pop stars and who they’re supporting…
DONALD TRUMP
Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter’s come a long way from partying in his house and beating Shaquille O’Neal at basketball. These days, he’s done Dancing With the Stars, survived bankruptcy, recorded new music and yes, is voting for Donald Trump.
Azealia Banks
Indie pop’s angriest one-time darling is formerly NYC-based vocalist Azealia Banks. When not releasing critically-acclaimed underground albums and being kicked off Twitter for racist comments, she’s voting for Donald Trump.
Ted Nugent
“Cat Scratch Fever,” “Yank Me Crank Me,” “Wango Tango,” and an album named Penetrator are all the work of 1970s hard rock icon Ted Nugent. A noted Republican who has been quoted as saying “the whole world sucks, but America still sucks less,” he’s voting for Donald Trump.
Kid Rock
Impressively Kid Rock has rocked stages with Run DMC, R. Kelly, Ludacris, and Pharrell. Shockingly enough, while doing that, though having done that, he’s also voting for Donald Trump.
Mike Tyson
He defeated his first 37 boxing opponents, as well as prison, drug addiction, and yes, even the Fresh Prince. However, he’s most likely hoping that the nominee he supports, Donald Trump, defeats Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential election.
Hulk Hogan
Similar to Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan defeated an impressive slew of foreign bad guys including The Iron Sheik, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper,” Nikolai Volkoff, Killer Khan, Andre the Giant, Earthquake, Sgt. Slaughter, and Yokozuna. However, noted international billionaire Donald Trump? That’s someone that The Hulkster would love to see as the American president.
HILLARY CLINTON
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has seven #1 hit singles. Maybe supporting Hillary Clinton’s run for #1 in the US Presidential election could lead to number eight.
Jay Z
From Pusha T to J. Cole, Big Sean, and more, many rappers #arewithher. However, the one-time Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder and Def Jam Records president being a Hillary Clinton supporter could be bigger than all of those combined.
Beyonce
Drake says that “Girls Like Beyonce,” and Kanye West has even stormed stages in defense of Queen Bey’s success. Who does Beyonce like and who has she performed on stages supporting? Hillary Clinton.
Ja Rule
We know that he’s all about “always [being] on time.” Let’s presume that he was also right on time in his support at the polls for Hillary Clinton, too.
Rupaul
In 1993, the New York City-based drag icon had a hit single with “Supermodel.” Do supermodels rock pantsuits? Maybe we’ll see at the Inaugural Ball…?
Katy Perry
Katy Perry once ”Kissed A Girl” (and liked it), and we know that she’s a fan of “Dark Horse”s, too. Given her clear appreciation for liberal initiatives like same-sex coupling and enabling society’s underdogs, it makes obvious sense that she’d be a supporter of Hillary Clinton, too.
