MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE: Is the intense 2000s nostalgia boom a response to the bleakness of our current reality?

I can’t be the only person who is feeling the intense nostalgia boom we are experiencing with all things 2000s. Yes, I’m aware that my personal connection to the era is naturally going to make me more drawn to that time, but still, it does seem like the 2000s are popping. Is this a response to the bleakness of our reality? Every day there’s a new movie sequel from the era being made and songs being sampled. This week, it’s Don Toliver who uses a sample of Justin Timberlake’s 2003 “Rock Your Body” on his new song “Body” that is serving us our now essential dose of daily Y2K nostalgia.

There are a few exceptions but the first time I really noticed Y2K songs getting the sample treatment in droves was in late 2018-2019 when Halsey sampled Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” on her number one hit “Without Me”; and Ariana Grande sampled *NSYNC’s “It Makes Me Ill” on “break-up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”. Justin may not be making bangers as hard nowadays, but you can’t deny that there was something in those songs he created both solo and with the band all those years ago. I always love to attribute that to the incredible producers he was lucky enough to work with, no shade (or maybe some shade). JT’s era of pop and R&B has quickly become essential source material for artists and it’s been a fun transition. Many of the artists we’re hearing today were growing up at that time and now they can showcase those influences in their own art. Whether it’s Kehlani giving us some Nina Sky on her hit “After Hours” or Jack Harlow dipping into the Fergie glamour on “First Class”, the audience is eating it all the way up.

Y2K music was built on clean hooks and radio-ready minimalism. Those factors translate really well into today’s production stylings, and by that I mean they sound really f*cking good on TikTok. On the flip side, however, one could argue that by overusing nostalgia we risk the loss of any original ideas. There’s tons of truth to this, and some artists like Ava Max have been long-been accused of overusing samples from hits of yesteryear, understandably so as nobody likes overkill of any kind; plus you can’t build your entire brand off the backbone of someone else’s art. Inspiration is one thing but copying is another, it’s a fine line but when it’s walked properly, it can result in great music.

Next week, we have the latest record from J.Cole – a project that has been highly anticipated by all of us from the Tumblr generation, this is the man that gave us “No Role Modelz” so it’s a big deal. This week, Don Toliver isn’t the only artist feeding us some type of 2000s nostalgia. There’s new music by Kelly Rowland and Method Man, while Kelly Clarkson gives us a “beautiful disaster” for this week’s viral pick. Plus, Maluma with Kany García, Terrace Martin with Blxst and Sporty Spice herself, Miss Melanie C.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Body” by Don Toliver

“Body” hooked me from the jump with the instantly recognizable “Rock Your Body” sample. Yet, it’s flipped into an electronic-trap fusion so the sample only adds a hint of familiarity to something new. If nothing at all, the production on this song is worth giving a listen to. You’ll find yourself singing along too, because as much as I try to supress it (it’s the Britney fan in me), Justin’s got some real classic hits. Don Toliver on the other hand is a different type of artist than JT, far more modern and similar to the likes of a more rhythmic Travis Scott. This track serves as a great song for him to reach a new audience that will connect to its nostalgic sample, yet be intrigued by the trippy melodies. Not that Don Toliver needs the reach as he currently has over 41 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He’s in his own lane and creates from his soul. His newest album OCTANE is another great example of that, and it’s filled with great songs along with “Body”. Special shout out to another favourite of mine from the album “ATM”.

“1+1’ by Maluma, Kany García

Maluma’s newest romantic ditty with Kany García is him at his tamest in years, but in the best way possible. Now that he’s a father, everything is a little sweeter and wholesome. This track is a love song sung with passion and charisma that at first listen feels like is written for a significant other, yet can also double as a tribute to Colombian culture. This was pointed out to me by my lovely co-worker Esther (who stays schooling me on all things from the Latin music world). She had me pay attention to the traditional Colombian meal that he subtly embedded in the clip, Bandeja Paisa. It looks incredible, although my avocado allergy would limit me a little bit, lol. Cooking and food in general is a universal love language for many, and clearly is one for Maluma as well who is using this era of his professional career to express love in any way he can. Maluma is exploring new narratives in his music now that he’s married with a child, and Kany’s presence on this track brings a softness to his discography that is both welcomed and natural. Don’t get it twisted though, he is still bringing that sensuality that he has always oozed so effortlessly, except this time around he’s singing about making love rather than the usual “casual sex with a beautiful girl in the club” that used to be his vibe.

“Once I Say” by Terrace Martin, Blxst

Terrace Martin has long been a crucial player in the production of some of Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar’s greatest albums, but his own music has more of an Old School R&B vibe than anything he created for other artists. Think of what would happen if jazz met contemporary R&B. It almost sounds too good to be true but the proof is in the pudding, and it’s delicious. One of my biggest weaknesses is a saxophone solo and “Once I Say” is rich in its containments, I can’t explain it as anything other than an aphrodisiac. The minute that first sax solo hits in this song, you’ll feel your senses heightened and everything is just a little more horny. Jazz-fusion has always been a specialty of Terrace’s from his time in the All-State Jazz band at his high school, to his days touring with his gospel choir. It’s refreshing when a new release gives you that magic that live instruments give - more of this please.

“Complicated” by Kelly Rowland, Method Man

After getting the chance to see Kelly live in concert last November when she opened for Brandy and Monica, I was happily reminded of just how talented of a vocalist and performer she is. It then had me wondering why she hasn’t released a new album in so long, 13 years to be exact. We’re still waiting but she’s here in the meantime giving us a new catchy R&B mid-tempo ballad with Method Man called “Complicated”. The song serves as a theme for their upcoming Prime Video romantic comedy Relationship Goals which is out this week where she plays a TV executive– so naturally, I can relate to some degree (although I ain’t no executive… yet). Kelly has been in her acting bag in recent years and some of the films she’s done are pretty good, but it’s always nice when we get the chance to revisit her as a musician. I’ve always thought her voice was so smooth and in Beyoncé’s words, “very clear”. Joined by Method Man’s unmistakable flow, this song feels like it came straight from the late-2000s hit album, and that’s exactly why I love it so much. Kelly and Method Man shot the movie last winter in Toronto, which certainly explains Kelly’s appearance at a Raptors game last March. Part of me is upset I didn’t catch on that she was in town, I have about a gazillion Destiny’s Child CDs that the child still within would love to have signed, lol.

“What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” by Melanie C

The second single from Melanie C’s upcoming 10th studio album, Sweat, is the Scandinavian pop-driven smash “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”. Sporty Spice has gone full electronic Euro pop, and it’s a smashing time. The song has a very Kylie Minogue energy, something that’s different for Melanie who has always opted for a little more of an adult contemporary approach. Not this time though as we’re dancing the night away here. The lyrics talk about gambling on a little game of love and going with your instincts. On the Kylie front, she has recently been working with Biff Stannard who wrote many of the Spice Girls hits with Melanie and the girls, so the sonic similarities between the two make perfect sense given Kylie’s pop sound and Mel’s sonic pivot. “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” was co-written with Klas Ahlund who has recently been working on Robyn’s new music, so it’s nice to see that all the 90s pop girlies are coming back around for another round of pop magic. Melanie’s entire new album and single campaign has been fun and engaging, from unique viral videos to revealing short and long-form interviews where Spice Girls geeks like me get to take in even more band related content. Plus, Melanie’s voice was always the centrepiece of the band anyway so hearing her sing in the pop genre makes it feel like a new Spice album is here. Her new album Sweat officially releases in May.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Beautiful Disaster (Live)” by Kelly Clarkson

Now that the reports of The Kelly Clarkson Show ending after this current season are true, this pick feels even more special since moments like these won’t be coming around as often. It does to me feel like we are about to lose a treasure in daytime TV, because you tell me another show where we get to be blessed on a weekly basis with a viral video of some form showcasing Kelly’s impeccable vocals. This time around we have the lovely Amanda Seyfried bringing out her inner Kelly Clarkson-standom by namechecking her favourite Kelly track, or as she calls it “the power-ballad of the century”: the live version of “Beautiful Disaster”. The original version of the song comes from Kelly’s debut album Thankful, while the live version was featured as the album closer on her sophomore album Breakaway, which is her signature album and easily her most successful. The song is a fan favourite and has remained one for two decades, but it never got the mainstream attention that Kelly’s other hits like “Since U Been Gone” and “Because of You” have received. Fast forward to 2026 and we have Kelly and Amanda performing an acapella duet of the song on Kelly’s talk show, and millions of people worldwide subsequently getting goosebumps. This has sent the song up the iTunes and streaming charts. It’s hard to imagine that the track was on the Breakaway album and so many people did not know it, but it’s never too late for greatness to reach its audience. “Beautiful Disaster” is a singer’s song, a song meant to show off your vocal chops or to just sing freely and feel that euphoria you get when you sing (no matter the talent level). Lucky for all of us online though, those who can sing are now sharing their renditions.

@kellyclarksonshow #AmandaSeyfried & Kelly Clarkson duet 'Beautiful Disaster' 😍🎶 #Duet #KellyClarkson #AwardSeason ♬ original sound - Kelly Clarkson Show

@sunshinelullabies bye that duet on kelly clarkson fully converted me back to 2000s ballads #kellyclarkson #amandaseyfried #beautifuldisaster ♬ original sound - AMY NGUYEN

@lilivassallo.music Let’s say we were inspired by Kelly and Amanda’s duet 🤭@Kelly Clarkson Show ♬ original sound - Lili 💓

@emango79 Kelly Clarkson - Beautiful Disaster - 2004 #kellyclarkson #americanidol #2000smusic #genx #millennials @kellyclarkson ♬ original sound - Erick ❌

The original clip of Amanda and Kelly singing now has over 6 million views on TikTok, a million combined views on YouTube and the actual song itself “Beautiful Disaster (Live)” has jumped from a daily streaming count of 4,000 to 50,000 streams - numbers that are up to par with some of Kelly’s biggest hits like “Behind These Hazel Eyes”. Not bad for a song that has remained a deep album cut for decades.

The 2026 “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist is officially live. You can add it here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year.