Throughout the early 90s, Jermaine Dupri established a name for himself as an R&B and Hip-Hop super-producer. In 1998, Dupri pivoted to become a rap artist himself and released his debut studio album, “Life in 1472.” By then, he and Mariah Carey had also developed a strong personal and professional relationship as good friends and musical collaborators. An ever-loyal friend, Carey appeared on the album’s third single, “Sweetheart” (a cover of the 1986 hit by Rainy Davis). Like on many of their mash-up style remixes, the pair transformed the very 80s track, elevating it with a fresh, sexy Hip-Hop spin.

Watch the “Sweetheart” video, stream it, or get “Life in 1472” on CD.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Sweetheart” by Jermaine Dupri & Mariah Carey appeared first on THE 97.

Coming into one’s own requires a commanding level of self-confidence. Janelle Monáe’s embodiment of “free ass muthafucker” over the last several years reached new heights with the release of her latest, summer-ready album “The Age of Pleasure.” On the album cut “Phenomenal,” Monáe taps newbie Doechii to join them in a celebration of both phenomenal face and “phenomenal puss.” Opening the track, Monáe proclaims: “I’m looking at 1,000 versions of myself and they’re all fine. as. fuck. Say it to my face… bitch.” The question is asked (“How you feel?”) and answered (“Phenomenal!”); it’s not up for debate.

Listen to “Phenomenal,” or purchase “The Age of Pleasure” on vinyl

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Phenomenal” by Janelle Monáe & Doechii appeared first on THE 97.

The best Hip-Hop tracks are comprised of perfectly executed uses of the genre’s main components: impressive lyrics, an infectious beat, and an impeccable flow. Lauryn Hill opened her 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill with a song that bodies in every category: “Lost Ones.” The hard-hitting track finds Hill spittin’ in her signature style, atop a slick, bass-heavy beat. Then best known as being the Fugees frontwoman, Hill’s first and only album cemented her status as a solo superstar. Every track on the classic album is well-known and highly praised, but “Lost Ones” is a fierce standout.

Watch “Lose Ones” live, stream it, or get “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” on vinyl

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Lost Ones” by Lauryn Hill appeared first on THE 97.

Seeing red? Mission accomplished. Doja Cat has been inciting flames of fury amongst her fans, some former, with recent comments and criticisms she’s made about stan culture. Truth be told, this instance is hardly the first or worst controversy to surround the hitmaker; being problematic is essentially part of her brand at this point. Nonsense aside, the first two singles from Doja Cat’s fourth studio album “Scarlet” see her leaning hard into Hip-Hop, shedding the glossy pop sound behind her biggest hits. While “Attention” didn’t create too much buzz, “Paint the Town Red” has ignited quite the stir.

Debuting at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Dionne Warwick-sampling track is only gaining in popularity. Today, it broke records on Spotify, garnering the largest single-day streams total of any solo female rap song. It’s predicted that the song will enter the top ten of the Hot 100, potentially reaching #5. The success is well-deserved. Doja Cat’s choice to quit straddling the line of Pop and Hip-Hop and embrace her status as one of Hip-Hop’s leading lady rappers is proving to be a success. As its insanely catchy chorus goes, “Bitch, I said what I said; I’d rather be famous instead.” Her no-fucks-given attitude has translated into the music, and it’s clear that while it may make her unlikeable, it’s made her music undeniable.

Watch the “Paint the Town Red” video, stream it, or get some Doja Cat vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post Review: “Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat appeared first on THE 97.

It’s wild to witness how slang, and artists, evolve. Queen Latifah led 1998’s “Order in the Court,” her last studio album prior to a decade-long Hip-Hop hiatus, with the ferocious yet ridiculously titled, “Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?).” Don’t let the references to every kid’s favorite fruit and every kid’s favorite ghost movie mislead you though, there’s a reason Queen La’s crown is enflamed on the album cover: she breathes fire on “Bananas” alongside the late Flava Unit M.C. Apache. Latifah’s bars are an unrestrained reminder of her elite status as one of Hip-Hop’s most anointed Queens.

Watch the “Bananas” video, stream it, or get some Queen Latifah vinyl!

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?)” by Queen Latifah appeared first on THE 97.

If Charlie had angels and demons, surely the latter would be a trio of men. Serving up a multi-genre, multi-cultural combination, the trio of Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, and The Weeknd provide the perfect demon-time soundtrack via “K-POP.” Laced with plenty of star power, this party anthem is tailor-made for the club, and no doubt inspired by its namesake’s effects. As the track progresses, each star shines via his signature sound: Scott sets the mood with a trippy rap, Bad Bunny ups the energy with bombastic bars, and Weeknd cools things down, atmospherically floating atop the beat.

Watch the “K-POP” video, stream it, or get some Travis Scott vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “K-POP” by Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd appeared first on THE 97.

Pop-stars crossing the pond, male-bashing anthems, pop girls uniting in the name of girl power… is the 1990s or the 2020s? Make no mistake, it’s the era of TikTok-friendly 2-minute songs with lax choreography and verses that are somehow infectious as hell. Without ever raising their voices, English pop singer PinkPantheress and Bronx-born rapper Ice Spice manage to inspire girls to twerk and boys to be big mad on “Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2.” Peaking at #3 on the Hot 100, this fun fusion of Pantheress’ bubblegum pop with Spice’s gruff rap raised both artists’ profiles in a big way.

Watch the “Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2” video, stream it, or buy Ice Spice’s EP on vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice appeared first on THE 97.

The sizzling classic “What’s It Gonna Be?!” sees the pairing of Rap titan Busta Rhymes and Empress of Pop Janet Jackson in an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Funk, and R&B. Lyrically, the track’s focus is driven by raw sexuality, a topic that Jackson’s pioneering influence helped normalize for women in pop music. Rhymes blends superbly well with Jackson’s sex kitten vocals, due to his frenetic energy and overall reputation as a stellar, intricate MC. The track, along with its world record-setting visual, became one of the most successful rap-sung collaborations in the latter half of the 1990s.

Watch the legendary “What’s It Gonna Be?!” video, stream it, or grab some Busta Rhymes or Janet Jackson vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “What’s It Gonna Be?!” by Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson appeared first on THE 97.

There are plenty of creative ways to express the essence of the infamous phrase “suck my dick,” rather than saying it flat out. Doja Cat delivers a rousing reminder of her rap talent on her most Hip-Hop single in ages, “Attention.” Sparse in production but with no shortage of bars, Doja Cat puts everyone on notice with the sexiest rendition of Lil Kim’s “Suck My Dick” to date. No, it’s not a sample or a cover, Doja Cat never says “dick,” the attention instead is on her— though she never says that word either, she ain’t pussy.

Watch the “Attention” video, stream it, or get Doja’s last album on vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Attention” by Doja Cat appeared first on THE 97.

After decades in the public consciousness, some songs you just know somehow, perhaps due to sheer ubiquity, or sampling. JAY-Z’s “Can I Get A…” featuring Amil and Ja Rule is one of those tracks. J. Cole fans will recognize, “Can I hit it in the morning?” … Janet Jackson fans will recognize its “bounce.” However, in the summer of 1998, “Can I Get A…” was a big hit in its own right, helping inch JAY-Z closer to crossing over and establishing new acts Amil and Ja Rule. The infectious, Irv Gotti-produced bop lights up any club — then, and now.

Watch the “Can I Get A…” video, stream it, or purchase the album on vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Can I Get A…” by JAY-Z, Amil & Ja Rule appeared first on THE 97.