The 5 Worst Trends Started By the Class of '99

By Nathan Smith Thu., Dec. 27 2012 at 7:00 AM

Photo by Marco Torres

Jennifer Lopez at Toyota Center

3. The Latin Invasion
Led by Ricky Martin's smash single, "Livin' La Vida Loca," Latin pop had a huge year in 1999. Established Latin stars Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias made a splash on the charts with their first English-language records that year, and Jennifer Lopez and Lou Bega hit the top spot. Carlos Santana had the biggest smash of his career with Supernatural.

Zenith of Popularity: Released May 11, 1999, Ricky Martin sold 22 million copies worldwide.

Why it was Lame: This was an explosion of commerce, not communication. The breakout English albums of four of the top crossover stars -- Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, J. Lo and Shakira - were all engineered by one company, Sony Music. The Latin Explosion was a marketing strategy from the very beginning, and when the fad was over, Sony was on to the next one. So was America.

Some of the Invasion artists had to work hard to reconnect with Latino fans, many of whom were unimpressed by the concerted effort to attract Anglos.

Where Are They Now? Still touring the world. Ricky Martin headlined Toyota Center last year. J. Lo, Marc and Enrique continue to pack 'em in, too. Santana never has to work again, but he's still out there. Nobody has heard from Lou Bega in about 13 years.

Tags:

1999

We Recommend

pawlie73

It may have been a crappy time or mainstream music but I remember it as a great time for alternative tastes. Radiohead, James, the Verve, and other British acts put out great records. Electronicaü and many musical forms (trip-hop, drum n bass, acid jazz) were some of the most innovative music to come to light in ages. Older guys and gals like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, n Joni Mitchell put out some great stuff. Lotsa terrific regional Texas and hip-hop stuff as well. Don't let me forget Rock en espanol, alternative Country, and the birth of Screw (for better or for worse).

arianam

Haha the year that Gap came out with the kahki commercials I was in choir at North Shore High School and we performed "jump jive" and a whole mix of swing songs....dressed in khakis and white shirts LMAO.

Houston Press Rocks Off

Papa Roach still sells out smaller venues like Warehouse Live, oddly enough.

Nathan Smith

Wherever Papa Roach is these days, it's probably nicer than wherever Powerman 5000, Spineshank, Taproot and Soulfly are.

eden21

@Nathan Smith Isnt Soulfly a Sepultura side project? Sepultura was actual, non-'nu' metal - so i think they're okay. Powerman 5000 was awesome hahaha, the frontman is actually Rob Zombie's brother, so I'm guessing he's doing okay... Goddamn, did i ever hate Papa Roach.

Rottweiller2000

@HoustonPress I would argue the movie ‘Swingers’ and not the Gap commercial pushed the swing music phenom

NathanSmith topcommenter

@Rottweiller2000 Swingers definitely helped put swing back on the pop radar. It didn't really explode on to the charts until that commercial, though. That ad made Brian Setzer a lot of money, and he didn't even play on it.

MadMac topcommenter

Especially since only about eight people saw Swingers and because they thought it was art pr0n.

Kelly Switzer

1 Like

Ring watches are a recycled fad from at least the 70s, maybe even before that. Slap bracelets are back, though! Lets just hope that Jennifer Aniston layered haircut is gone for good.

kelly.d.switzer

Perman or Pearlman?

NathanSmith topcommenter

@kelly.d.switzer The latter.

healthy skeptic

Fun, bizarre fact: Lou Bega is German (specifically, Bavarian). I don't know about y'all, but that mostly blows my mind.

Christina Lynn

i was in 6th grade when all this madness happened. I remember it well even though I wasnt allowed to listen to 104 krbe back in the day. Even worse is some of the fads are coming back from back then - like ring watches.