Millennials, let’s face it—we’re officially the “back in my day” generation. It’s 2025, and the songs we blasted on our iPods, ringtones we proudly set on our flip phones, and the beats that soundtracked our high school and college years are now turning 20.
Remember vibing to Nelly’s Grillz or hitting the dance floor to Pretty Ricky’s Your Body? These tracks were more than just music; they were anthems of our carefree youth.
So, hop in the time machine, turn up the nostalgia, and revisit the hits that defined a generation finding its groove. Who else feels both old and young at the same time?
1. Kanye West – Gold Digger (ft. Jamie Foxx)
A standout from Late Registration, Kanye West‘s Gold Digger became an anthem with its infectious beat and Jamie Foxx‘s unforgettable hook inspired by Ray Charles.
Kanye won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (2006) and the song spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. Mariah Carey – We Belong Together
Mariah Carey’s comeback hit from The Emancipation of Mimi showcased her vocal prowess and dominated the charts, becoming one of the decade’s biggest hits.
Mariah won Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song (2006) and the song spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the second-longest-running No. 1 song at the time.
3. 50 Cent – Candy Shop (ft. Olivia)
50 Cent’s seductive track from The Massacre featured Olivia and became an instant club favorite with its sultry production. The song spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
4. Chris Brown – Run It! (ft. Juelz Santana)
The debut single that launched Chris Brown‘s career, this energetic dance track showcased his charisma and dance moves. The song spent 5 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. Destiny Child – Soldier
Soldier further showcased Destiny’s Child’s ability to blend R&B and hip-hop seamlessly. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 23 weeks on the chart.
6. Missy Elliott – Lose Control (ft. Ciara and Fatman Scoop)
Missy Elliott delivered a high-energy dance anthem that took over clubs and earned her critical acclaim. Lose My Breath earned Missy a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video (2006) and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. The Game – Hate It or Love It (ft. 50 Cent)
This reflective track from The Documentary showcased The Game’s storytelling ability and 50 Cent’s knack for catchy hooks. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
8. Destiny’s Child – Cater 2 U
Destiny’s Child celebrated romance with this smooth ballad from their final studio album, Destiny Fulfilled. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
9. Nelly – Grillz
Nelly‘s Grillz, produced by Jermaine Dupri, became an anthem celebrating the flashy accessories that were a staple of the 2000s. The song won Best Rap Collaboration at the BET Awards (2006) and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot for 2 weeks, spending a total of 24 weeks on the chart.
10. Rihanna – Pon de Replay
Rihanna’s debut single introduced her Caribbean-inspired sound to the world and hinted at the superstar she would become. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
11. Keyshia Cole – Love
Love, a heartfelt ballad from Keyshia Cole‘s debut album The Way It Is, became one of her signature songs. The song peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 34 weeks on the chart.
12. Omarion – O
Omarion’s solo debut single showcased his smooth vocals and dance skills, cementing his post-B2K career. The son peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
13. Jamie Foxx – Unpredictable Feat. Ludacris
Unpredictable, the title track from Jamie Foxx‘s sophomore album, showcased his smooth vocals and became a hit. The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 20 weeks on the chart.
14. Kanye West – Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Kanye’s introspective track explored the complexities of materialism and conflict diamonds, backed by a Shirley Bassey sample. He won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song (2006) and the song peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.
15. Amerie – 1 Thing
With its infectious go-go beat, Amerie’s 1 Thing became a defining track of 2005 and a dancefloor staple. The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
16. Bow Wow – Let Me Hold You (ft. Omarion)
Bow Wow and Omarion teamed up for this smooth track about young love, which became a summer anthem. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
17. Mary J. Blige – Be Without You
The “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” delivered a heartfelt ballad that would become one of her most successful songs. Mary J. Blige won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (2007) and the song spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
18. Trey Songz – Gotta Make It (ft. Twista)
Trey Songz made his debut with this motivational track, showcasing his vocal range and determination. The song peaked at No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.
19. T-Pain – I’m N Luv (Wit A Stripper) Feat. Mike Jones
I’m N Luv (Wit A Stripper) was a breakout hit for T-Pain, blending humor and romance in a melodic ode to infatuation. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 26 weeks on the charts.
20. Lil Wayne – Fireman
The lead single from Tha Carter II showcased Lil Wayne’s lyrical prowess and signaled his rise as a rap powerhouse. The song peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.
21. Pretty Ricky – Your Body
Your Body showcased Pretty Ricky‘s blend of smooth R&B harmonies and suggestive lyrics, becoming a staple for fans of sultry slow jams. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 23 weeks on the charts.
22. Young Jeezy – Soul Survivor (ft. Akon)
This gritty anthem about street survival became one of Young Jeezy’s breakout hits. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
23. Sean Paul – We Be Burnin’
Sean Paul continued his reign as a dancehall king with this high-energy hit that kept clubs buzzing. The song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
24. Bobby Valentino – Slow Down
Slow Down was Bobby Valentino‘s breakout single, introducing his silky vocals and heartfelt delivery to the world. The song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 24 weeks on the charts.
25. Black Eyed Peas – My Humps
This playful and polarizing track from Monkey Business became a cultural phenomenon and a club staple. Black Eyed Peas won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group (2007) and the song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
