You know those songs that you listen to that just puts you in such a good mood?
Those songs that bring you back to the good old days? They remind you of the day you fell in love, your middle school dances, the song that would stay on the countdown on 106& Park or TRL? Yeah, those good feels.
Check out a list of my 2000s R&B and Rap favs that always make me feel a certain way…
1. Let’s Get Married by Jagged Edge
Now the original is definitely a classic that will have you singing at the top of your lungs when you think you’ve found the one and are ready to tie that knot, but the REMIX with Run DMC gives you the feels along with the beat! There’s no way that I can listen to this song without dancing. And I still imagine my future husband proposing to me while Jagged Edge sings this in the background. There’s no other way to do it lol.
2.) Foolish by Ashanti
Shoutout to Ashanti for this gem. Now this is the song that you feel even if you’ve never been in a relationship. You don’t know anything about the struggles that Ashanti is facing. Yet, you can still feel her pain. This song is so real that you can’t help but blast it and sing every word with passion. A woman being torn between leaving her man who doesn’t appreciate her or staying, will always be a timeless theme.
3.) My Boo by Usher & Alicia Keys
This song taught me that no matter what, there will always be that one person that’s your true love. I couldn’t wait to have a boo after hearing Usher and Alicia sing so beautifully about it.
4. Take Me There by Blackstreet, Mase & Maya
Okay so if you don’t know what song this is just based off the title, I bet you’ll know what movie it’s from after hearing just the first few seconds of the beat. The mix of the Rugrats theme song is so dope. There are many artists who have done songs for television shows but “Take Me There” is on the top of my list. It brings such happy vibes. You can’t help but be in a good mood when listening to this.
5.) Gossip Folks by Missy Elliot
Now, I’m sure to this day none of us know what the actual words are to the hook of this song but we all used to mumble the words like we knew them! What I can tell you that the beat is knockin’ and the visuals are even better. Missy Elliot is always bringing her creativity….she is one of the greats! And can we talk about how I always wanted to be one of Missy’s background dancers? They weren’t playing any games!
6.) Mesmerize by Ja Rule & Ashanti
Ja Rule and Ashanti were a dynamic duo during the 2000s. They made so many hits together that need to be appreciated like this song. Shoutout to Murder Inc.
7.) So Into You by Tamia & Fabulous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVucWRs-eWA
“I can’t really explain it, I’m so into you now, I wanna be more than a friend to you now.” This song had the perfect balance with Fabulous’ rhymes and Tamia’s vocals. This is the song that comes on and no matter what mood you’re in, you don’t skip it. It’s an R&B classic in my eyes.
8.) Playas Gon’ Play by 3LW
3 Little Women AKA Natutri Naughton, Andrienne Bailon, and Kiely Williams letting us know that even though playas gon’ play and haters gon’ hate that ain’t got nothing to do with my boo and I. They don’t want to see us winning but that’s alright. I remember singing this song in the mirror in my room when I was like 6 making sure I was singing to all of the haters.
9.) Song Cry by Jay-Z
This song definitely had me in my feels when I first heard it.
“When a good girl has gone bad she’s gone forever, I mourn forever. I gotta live with the fact that I did you wrong forever.”
Jay-Z was spitting so much truth.
“How many times have you forgiven me? How was I supposed to know you were just plain sick of me?” WHOOOO!
I heard this song yearrrssss late but that’s right! You better appreciate your woman while you have her.
10.) All Falls Down by Kanye West
“Single black female addicted to retail…” Kanye, were you talking about me?
Released in 2004 but even more relevant in 2017. Consumerism is even more prevalent in our society today especially since it’s being flaunted all over social media.
Kanye was spitting some knowledge on how majority of American society is, especially black culture.
“We’ll buy a lot of clothes but don’t really need them…the things we buy to cover up what’s inside.” He was spot on.
11.) The Business by Casha and Yung Berg
“You know I want a freak in the morning, a freak in the evening, just call me up and I’ll be there when you need me.” Okay so I had no business listening to this song when it first came out but let me tell you…when I got my first iPod this was the first song I downloaded. This really was my JAM. I’m pretty sure I had this on my myspace page at some point lol.
12.) Promise Ring by Tiffany Evans & Ciara
Okay so this song is the reason I want a promise ring to this today. Tiffany set the relationship bar with this. “I promise not to hurt you, I promise not to lie, I promise to befriend you and defend you with my life.” It was such a cute song to listen to as a teen.
13.) Laundromat by Nivea & R. Kelly
I know every single word to this song and it makes me proud. The fact that half of this song is a conversation between Nivea and her no good boyfriend makes this song even better. There are a few songs that are go to when I do karaoke and this is one of them.
13.) Good Life by Kanye West & T-Pain
This is one of those feel good songs. “I go for mine, I got to shine…Imma be on MTV momma, Imma shut sh*t down.”
14.) I’m Sprung by T-Pain
I would just feel too disrespectful if I didn’t put T-Pain on this list by himself. T-Pain is the father/king of autotune. I love that he came out with a song about him being sprung off a girl rather than the other way around. “She got me doing the dishes…anything she want for some kisses.” That’s right girl!
15.) Dilemma by Nelly & Kelly Rowland
“I like your steez, your style, your whole demeanor.” WOW, romance of the 2000s. Kelly had a man but that wasn’t going to stop Nelly…he was plotting for the right moment to swoop in and Kelly wasn’t having any problems with it. This song is still a BANGER.
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