Early 2000s Hits That Defined the Decade: 15 Hip-Hop & R&B Throwbacks

Flip phones, burned CDs and music videos you had to catch on TV: the early 2000s were a golden era for hip-hop and R&B. The songs from those years now feel like throwbacks, and they’ve aged into classics that still fill every dance floor.

Here are 15 early 2000s hits that defined the decade, all right at home on Groove 106.

15 Early 2000s Hits You Still Know Every Word To

1. Alicia Keys – “Fallin'” (2001)

A debut that introduced one of the decade’s defining voices with nothing but piano and soul.

2. Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)

Missy and Timbaland at their most inventive. Still sounds like nothing else.

3. Ja Rule feat. Ashanti – “Always on Time” (2001)

The duet formula that ruled radio in the early 2000s.

4. Nelly – “Hot in Herre” (2002)

Summer 2002 in one song.

5. 50 Cent – “In da Club” (2003)

“Go shorty…” You already finished the line. One of the biggest hip-hop records ever.

6. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – “Crazy in Love” (2003)

Those horns announced Beyoncé’s solo era in the loudest way possible.

7. OutKast – “Hey Ya!” (2003)

Impossible to resist, and one of the most joyful songs of the decade.

8. Sean Paul – “Get Busy” (2003)

Dancehall went fully mainstream, and every party was better for it.

9. Justin Timberlake – “Rock Your Body” (2003)

Smooth, funky and built for the dance floor.

10. Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris – “Yeah!” (2004)

The crunk-and-R&B crossover that took over 2004.

11. Ciara feat. Petey Pablo – “Goodies” (2004)

The arrival of the First Lady of Crunk&B.

12. Mario – “Let Me Love You” (2004)

One of the decade’s best R&B ballads, still a singalong favorite.

13. Fat Joe feat. Lil Jon – “Lean Back” (2004)

Everybody knew the dance. Everybody still does.

14. Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland – “Promiscuous” (2006)

The Timbaland sound pushed into pop, and it worked perfectly.

15. Destiny’s Child – “Say My Name” (2000)

The track that kicked off the decade with layered vocals and Rodney Jerkins’ stutter-step production.

From 70s Soul to 2000s Hits, All in One Place

Groove 106 bridges generations: the parents who grew up on 70s and 80s soul and the kids who came up on these early 2000s hits. If you love music from any of those decades, this is your station.

Listen now: stream free at groove106.com, or take Groove 106 with you on the iPhone app and the Android app. Want in on the community? Create your free Groove 106 account and follow @groove106radio on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.