10 Musical Artists From The 1990s And Early 2000s Who Need To Make An Epic Comeback ASAP

The music scene during the late 1990s and into the early 2000s was truly a blessing upon our generation. Thanks to the Spice Girls, girls were confident that every problem could be solved by the use of ‘girl power,’ and if it weren’t for *NSYNC, boys may have never gotten over the most heinous trend…

By Abigail Magder

Updated 10 years ago, March 30, 2015

Up until the mid 2000s, music was more of a pleasure to listen to. I’m not saying that there isn’t great music today, because there is. It’s just that ten years ago things were different in the music industry. We rarely heard auto tuned voices and most of the songs we danced to actually had lyrics. For those of us still struggling with the fear of getting older, only to be asked, “Who is Blink 182?” by someone five years younger is a scary, scary thought. It’s time for our favorite artists and bands to redeem themselves and make us feel young again.

So, for all you millennials out there, here is a list of ten musical artists who need to dust off their guitars and dig up their old shell necklaces, and make one last (hopefully not last) epic comeback.

1. Shaggy

In 2001, Shaggy made every girl feel like an Angel. Even though nobody could understand what the hell he was saying, his unique reggae style had everyone singing along. Shaggy’s classic line, “Life is one big party when you’re still young but who’s gonna have your back when it’s all done” is still a line that holds true to us today. Let’s face it. Shaggy knew the deal. He sang to all the beautiful girls around the world and taught us a lesson or two on how to master the art of cheating in his hit, It Wasn’t Me. Please come back, Shaggy. We all miss you terribly.

2. Smash Mouth

The members of Smash Mouth were the real All Stars in the late 90s. Whoever didn’t know all the words to their hit, “All Star,” was clearly living under a rock. I am sure of this, and quite certain that there is a substantial amount of evidence to back up this theory. If you don’t miss Smash Mouth and agree that a comeback in the near future is necessary, then you might as well be walking on the sun.

3. R. Kelly

Now, um, usually I don’t do this but uh….i’mma go head’ on and tell you why R. Kelly needs to make a serious comeback. In 1996, Space Jam introduced us to our favorite soul searching single, I Believe I Can Fly. This song led every kid to believe that he or she could achieve his or her dreams even if that dream did not involve becoming a professional basketball player. We haven’t really heard a song this encouraging in a long time, and I think it’s time we bring that energy back. So, please R. Kelly, we are begging you to give us something fresh out the kitchen because we need a new tune to Bump n’ Grind to.

4. S Club 7

If you remember racing home after school to catch the newest episode of S Club 7 then you probably agree that it’s time for S Club 7 to bring it all back to you. This British pop group was all the rage of the early 2000s. You watched them make their claim to fame from Miami to L.A., and you even stuck around to see what would happen in Barcelona. While S Club 7 did give us a false sense of hope for how easy it is to become famous at seventeen, we still remember them for their upbeat music and inspiring lyrics. Please, give us some fresh beats to drunkenly sing to at the top of our lungs because if there is one thing we all know for sure, it’s that there ain’t no party like an S Club party.

5. Outkast

Outkast was truly one of a kind. The electrifying chemistry between group members André 3000 and Big Boi was infectious, and is reason enough for why an epic comeback is crucial. While the rumors that Outkast said farewell to their fans in 2014 may be true, it shouldn’t stop these two from reuniting to bring us a new so fresh and so clean hit. Regardless, we will forever be grateful to this hip-hop duo for showing us how to shake it like a Polaroid picture in 2003. So if you can, Outkast, lend us some sugar and we promise not to make you apologize for it a trillion times.

6. Ying Yang Twins

The Ying Yang Twins had absolutely no filter when it came to their lyrics, and your middle school self loved every minute of it. They are most likely to blame for the majority of inappropriate terminology we hear in music today but we had to hear it from somebody, right? The Ying Yang Twins gave you the confidence to grind up on your ninth grade crush because nothing was more awkward than standing by yourself in a corner while the DJ blasted “Get Low” at your high school dance. It’s possible that the Ying Yang Twins have yet to make an awesome comeback because they feel a bit threatened by all the vulgarity that we hear in hip hop music today. We understand, Ying Yang Twins, so just think about it, and let us know What’s Happenin!

7. Missy Elliott

Everyone can agree that Missy Elliott’s guest appearance at this year’s Super bowl was the best thing that could have, and will have ever happened in 2015. But what a tease! We have gone almost ten years without a new hit from Missy and we are starting to Lose Control. As the first original female artist with swag, Missy Elliott absolutely killed it in the late 90s and into the early 2000s. Without Missy, you would have never learned how to get your freak on, and that my friends, is incredibly sad to think about.

8. Savage Garden

I think it’s safe to say that Savage Garden left us way too soon. This Australian Pop duo sang to your soul and they meant every word. For those of you who may have forgotten who Savage Garden was, I should mention that their hit song, I Want You was number two behind the dance craze, Macarena in 1996. NUMBER TWO behind the MACARENA. Just let that sink in. While the group did split in 2001, I think fifteen years is enough time for them to get over their differences and get it together. Everyone misses you, Savage Garden, Truly Madly Deeply.

9. Destiny’s Child

Everyone knows that if you ever get the chance to be yourself or be Beyoncé, you would most likely choose to be Beyoncé. Beyoncé is amazing and that is just a fact of life, but she wouldn’t be where she is today if it weren’t for Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The trifecta that was Destiny’s Child set the stage for most female R&B groups in the late 90s. Releasing one hit after the other, these ladies were truly unstoppable. They coined the term ‘Bootylicious,’ which made its way into Webster’s Dictionary and they gave you advice on how to deal with your man. While we did see a cameo by the three at the Super bowl in 2013, it wasn’t enough to fully feed our fix. We get it, Beyoncé, you want to be on your own and you kill it either way, but it was Destiny’s Child who taught you how to become the Independent Woman you are now. Don’t you think they deserve a little more than a 10-minute Super bowl performance? We certainly think so.