20 Songs That Turn 20 This Year

I was recently at a brunch, minding my own business, and enjoying the hell out of some French toast that had the perfect amount of crunch to it. Seriously, it was amazing. The DJ was on one, playing some of the smoothest R&B music he could find. He hopped on the mic real quick and announced that he was about to take it back to the old school. I was ready. Maybe he would give us a little “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe, or the most annoying song in the world, Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mac.” (It is the most annoying song ever. Fight me.) I quickly grabbed my mimosa, ready to bust an old school move, when I was jolted back in my seat in disbelief. This fool played “Doo Wop” by Lauryn Hill. Excuse me, Mr. DJ? I mean, I know the record came out a few years ago, but old school? Wasn’t that a stretch? I Googled the song, just to prove him wrong. And the year read 1998. That made me wonder what other songs now qualify as old school. For your listening pleasure, here are 20 songs that turn 20 this year.

1. “The Boy Is Mine,” “The First Night”

Monica.

2. “Ghetto Supastar”

Pras Featuring Mya & Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

3. “Come With Me”

Diddy.

4. “Hit Me Baby One More Time”

Britney Spears.

5. “I’m Your Angel”

Celine Dion.

6. “Deja Vu”

Peter Gunz.

7. “How Deep Is Your Love”

Dru Hill.

8. “I’m Not A Player,” “Still Not A Player”

Big Pun and Fat Joe.

9. “Are You That Somebody?”

Aaliyah.

10. “A Rose Is Still A Rose”

Aretha Franklin.

11. “Believe”

Cher.

12. “Doo Wop (That Thing)”

Ms. Lauryn Hill.

13. “When You Believe”

Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston.

14. “The Arms Of The One Who Loves You”

Xscape.

15. “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here”

Deborah Cox.

16. “Hard Knock Life”

JAY-Z.

17. “Fly Away”

Lenny Kravitz.

18. “No, No, No Part 2”

Destiny’s Child.