blink 182 - Cheshire Cat

The transition between decades is heavily witnessed in the different departures seen in music. What was popular and in style to listen to in 1999 is suddenly extremely embarrassing...and for good reason. However, if music from 1999 is still leaving a yearning, there are several current musicians that have taken over the throne with similar styles ten years down the road.

The first major breakout in 1999 was the crossover of Latin artists. Once only crooners for a Spanish speaking audience, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, and Marc Anthony took over the charts with their English-language Latin pop. Though few proudly belt out "Livin La Vida Loca" today, artists such as Pit Bull and Aventura satisfy listeners who still crave a Latin-tinged beat. Pitbull, a Cuban-American rapper from Miami, has produced such hits such as “I Know you Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and “Hotel Room Service.” His style is a mix of hip hop and reggaeton, using both English and Spanish to add a diversified flavor. Aventura, a band out of the Bronx known as the "kings of bachata," showcase the rising international genre—a style from the Dominican Republic. Their latest album, The Last, was released on June 9. The group takes their guitar-fueled R & B style and fuses it with the likes of Akon, Ludacris, Wyclef Jean, and Wisin Y Yandel.

Another favorite from 1999 was the country-pop crossover. Shania Twain was the prime example of this, topping the Billboard charts with her singles “That Don't Impress Me Much” and “Man, I Feel like a Woman.” The mix of pop lyrics with country twang allowed for listeners to rethink their opinions on the oft-dismissed music. Twain paved the path for artists like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, both singers who pride themselves in their relationships to country music, while also maintaining a level of approachability in their music for all listeners. Underwood's empowering anthem, “Before He Cheats” delivers a certain raw energy that pop-only fans had not seen before. Likewise, Taylor Swift's story-esque songs open a more personal connection with fans.

Still at the height of the throne in 1999 were boy bands, the very definition of sugary sweet pop. Acts like like *Nsync and The Backstreet Boys illustrated pandemonium every where they went. Currently taking a similar reign are acts like the Jonas Brothers and Jesse McCartney. Not only do these boys have the good looks and charm, they also have the catchy tunes. Young tweens also have Miley Cyrus to admire in place of 1999's Britney Spears.

Blink 182 reintroduced the magic of pop-punk in their 1999 reign with hits like, “What's My Age Again” and “All the Small Things.” Picking up where they left off are bands like Fall Out Boy and The All American Rejects, two bands that continue to morph the sounds of pop-punk. Fall Out Boy showed creativity in collaborating with artists from Elvis Costello to Pharrell Williams for their latest album, Folie à Deux, while The All American Rejects have added to their success with the use of biting humor which can be found in hits like “Dirty Little Secret” and “Gives You Hell.” Though music evolves over time, its questionable how far the mainstream ever reaches as evidenced by the continued replacement of artists with similarly updated versions.