Certain rock songs can give you a boost of confidence. Such confidence could take you to the limit, as music is the ultimate motivator. Given this, these 3 rock songs could get a 38-year-old man banned from Buffalo Wild Wings.

“sleep now in the fire” by rage against the machine

Like much of their catalog, “Sleep Now In The Fire” is a statement against American capitalism, citing historical atrocities. It aims to awaken the American public, who are asleep and ignoring the destruction caused by corporate greed. Rage Against the Machine were the kings of political anthems in the 1990s. Depending on the day and situation, this track is sure to incite some form of revolutionary action, even if that action involves hot wings at the local Buffalo Wild Wings. “Sleep Now In The Fire” is the second single from their third studio album, The Battle of Los Angeles. In 1999, the album shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

“fuel” by metallica

The opening lines alone are enough to pump you up. Metallica singer James Hetfield opens this one with the iconic lines, “Give me fuel / give me fire / give me that which I desire.” It’s the kind of energy one needs to take on a plate of hot wings. In 1998, “Fuel” peaked at No. 6 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. In the 90s, Metallica strayed away from their thrash metal roots. Additionally, the group sported new haircuts that shocked the metal world. In 1999, “Fuel” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.

“till i collapse” by eminem

This song is among Eminem’s most popular tracks, despite never being released as a single. In 2002, Eminem took on rap rock, which allowed the rapper to be taken more seriously. His 2002 single, “Lose Yourself”, was a groundbreaking worldwide hit released as the lead single for his film 8 Mile. Just months before, a rap-rock track on his fourth album, The Eminem Show, foreshadowed the single’s success. “Till I Collapse”, featuring Nate Dogg, is about inner strength and refusing to give up. It carries a similar message and rap-rock style to Eminem’s No. 1 hit “Lose Yourself”.

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The least punk aspect of the punk genre is its lack of female representation. Punk is changing, and more female-fronted punk bands have emerged over the years, such as Gel and Scowl. This isn’t new, though, as many female-fronted punk bands have existed throughout punk history. These 4 female-fronted punk bands deserve more recognition for their contributions to the genre.

bikini kill

Bikini Kill is an all-female punk band out of Olympia, Washington, that helped redefine punk rock in the 1990s. They were part of a movement of underground feminist punk bands that emerged, called riot grrrl. Their signature track, “Rebel Girl”, was produced by Joan Jett. Additionally, Jett played guitar on the single released in 1993.

Lead singer Kathleen Hanna also contributed something major to 90s culture. Hanna accidentally inspired Nirvana’s breakthrough hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. She wrote the words “Kurt smells like Teen Spirit” on Cobain’s wall, meaning Kurt smells like his then-girlfriend’s deodorant. Cobain didn’t know what Teen Spirit deodorant was, and wrote the song about teenage rebellion.

L7

Another band often associated with the riot grrrl movement is L7. Singer and guitarist Donita Sparks formed the band in 1985 alongside guitarist and vocalist Suzi Gardner. Sparks penned a massive hit for the band in 1992. “Pretend We’re Dead” went to No. 8 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1992 after grunge broke.

The band is often associated with grunge, though they dabbled in multiple genres. Their fast punk rock anthem “Sh*tlist” was included in the Oliver Stone film Natural Born Killers. In July 2026, L7 announced that bassist Jennifer Finch lost her battle with brain cancer. In the following days, fans and musicians alike shared condolences and praised the late bass player’s legacy.

x

Formed in Los Angeles in 1977, X combined punk with rockabilly. Fronted by Exene Cervenka, with dual lead-vocal contributions from bassist John Doe, X became a defining punk rock act in the early 1980s. Their debut album, famously produced by keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors, included a cover of “Soul Kitchen”. In 2024, X released their ninth and final studio album, Smoke & Fiction.

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Oftentimes, songs are overplayed for a reason: they’re actually good, usually. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but it certainly is for these three EDM tracks. When Daft Punk took electronic dance music to Coachella in 2006, the genre grew significantly into a festival market. Since then, these EDM songs have been overplayed, but they deserve the hype.

“turn down for what” by dj snake and Lil Jon

This might be the most overplayed EDM song of all time. It’s included in nearly every DJ’s set, used before drops or to merge tracks. The thing is, it absolutely works. Every single time, it’s effective. Just refer to the viral prank from the early 2020s, when a wedding DJ pranks a wedding attendee who is dancing on the dance floor. The DJ uses the iconic “Turn Down For What” transition, but instead of going into a heavy drop, he transitions into ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”. Though the wedding attendee looked disappointed, many noted that even this transition worked well despite being a prank.

“scary monsters and nice sprites” by skrillex

When Sonny Moore transitioned from metalcore to EDM in 2009, he completely changed the game. Skrillex revolutionized dubstep and invaded EDM festivals with a new sound. This sound mixed sudden heavy beats and electronic, robotic vocals, and dominated dubstep in the early 2010s. His 2010 Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites EP hit No. 49 on the US Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album.

“levels” by avicii

When you brilliantly use a sample of Etta James in the middle of your song, it’s sure to stick around. The legendary singer is heard during an intermission section of the track. A sample of her 1962 hit “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” serves as the perfect transition. Avicii scored a timeless EDM hit in 2011 when “Levels” went to No. 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. His blend of R&B attached to a then-modern EDM track proved to be the perfect recipe. Many EDM artists of the early 2010s followed suit, incorporating samples of classic R&B songs.

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There’s no denying that Mariah Carey is one of the most decorated artists of all time. The iconic singer has more No. 1 hits than any other solo artist in history, with 19 overall. By 2001, Mariah Carey had 15 No. 1 hits and was among the biggest stars in the world. Carey had dabbled in acting, including her brief role in the 1999 romantic comedy The Bachelor.

With an astounding music career established, the singer sought to tap into the film industry next. She landed her first starring role in 1997, but the film wouldn’t be released until 2001. This transition into film didn’t go as planned for several reasons. One of them was a terrorist attack that forever changed the entire nation.

Released on September 21, 2001, Mariah Carey starred in Glitter, a musical romance film based in a nightclub. The film’s soundtrack, released on September 11, was massively overshadowed by the 9/11 attacks.

Months before the film, Carey suffered a highly publicized emotional breakdown in July. This was due to exhaustion from working continuously with no sleep for seven days straight. Also, during filming, her highly publicized relationship with singer Luis Miguel ended. Due to this, Carey was briefly hospitalized and took a temporary leave from public appearances. All of these reasons, mixed with a poorly written script and subpar production, led to the film flopping upon release.

Mariah Carey announces a reissue of the ‘Glitter’ soundtrack

Although the film was a commercial failure, its soundtrack was quite the opposite. In 2001, Glitter peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the US Soundtrack Albums chart. Despite its lead single, “Loverboy”, peaking at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the track became a “punchline” for years to come. In 2018, Carey’s diehard fans mobilized a viral hashtag, #JusticeForGlitter, which not only placed the soundtrack back on the charts, peaking at No. 1 on the iTunes chart.

For the film’s 25th anniversary, the Glitter soundtrack will get its first-ever vinyl release. Additionally, the digital reissue will feature unreleased recordings, including the new reimagined version of “Didn’t Mean To Turn You On”. The vinyl edition will be available in multiple color options, including “glittering pink” and “midnight purple.”

In the reissue announcement, Mariah Carey stated: “If someone had told me back in 2001 that I’d one day be unironically celebrating Glitter’s 25th anniversary, I never would have believed them.”

Carey added, “I made this album with so much love and care, so it was devastating to watch it become a punch line. I’m endlessly grateful to my fans who kept championing it all these years, and I hope even more people can finally hear it for what it is. We found a few recordings buried in the vault that I am really looking forward to sharing with you in October.”

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In 1994, singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy formed the legendary Chicago indie rock band Wilco. The band formed after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo, pioneers of alternative country in the late 80s and early 90s. Guitarist Jay Bennett joined the group following the release of the band’s debut album, A.M., in 1995. Bennett contributed to the songwriting process of the band’s next three albums before being dismissed from the group in 2001.

Jeff Tweedy took on lead guitar duties for the band’s fifth album, A Ghost Is Born, in 2004. By then, the band had brought on a new drummer, Glenn Kotche, in 2001. Additionally, Mikael Jorgensen was added on keyboards in 2003, and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone in 2004. Guitarist Nels Cline was added in 2004 as well, following the completion of A Ghost Is Born. This completed their six-member lineup, which has been Wilco for the past 22 years. Bassist John Stirratt and singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy are the only remaining original members.

Nels Cline’s career dates back to the 1980s, when he emerged as an avant-garde guitarist. By 2004, after releasing three solo jazz records, Cline was struggling to make ends meet.

The phone call that changed everything

Cline told Guitar World in April 2026, “I was so poor and had stopped the day job thing. I was trying not to have a day job after 18 years of day jobs, and I was pushing 50 years old at this point. I thought, ‘I think I might have to get a job again.'”

The times had changed, and technological advances limited Cline’s options. “I thought, like, okay, I’ve never had a job that had a computer cash register.” Cline added, “I never had to clock in. I always had bookstore and record store jobs. Sold Christmas trees one time. I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ I’m almost 50 years old. My jobs have never had any kind of normal parameters as far as how to do them, like clocking in, you know. Use a computer, cash register, whatever, wear the uniform. I don’t know what. But I thought, maybe Starbucks. They’ll take someone with no experience, and I can just learn how to do it. And that’s when Jeff called.”

Nels Cline chuckles when he says, “It sounds apocryphal, but it’s actually a true story.” Cline adds that he had only $200 left after paying rent, so he considered applying to Starbucks when he got a life-changing call. “I knew the music was not going to be predictable, that the stylistic parameters were pretty vast, and I knew that I liked Jeff’s songwriting and everybody in the band. Jeff sent me an unmastered version of A Ghost Is Born. It started with ‘At Least That’s What You Said’. When I heard that song, I was like, “Oh yeah, I can get with this.”

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1991 was a defining year for the decade, as grunge broke into the mainstream. Along with grunge, alternative music soon dominated the airwaves. Pop culture shifted, and fashion as well, with trends set in the early 1990s. The decade had its own identity, distancing itself from the 1980s. These four no-skip grunge albums are turning 35 in 2026.

‘nevermind’ by nirvana

You guessed it, the album that broke grunge into the mainstream is first on this list. No surprise, I know. Nirvana released Nevermind on September 24, 1991. Ahead of the album’s release, the band released their debut single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, on September 10. The single peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1992, bringing significant attention to the album. Subsequently, the album knocked Michael Jackson’s Dangerous down to No. 2, taking the top spot on the Billboard 200.

‘badmotorfinger’ by soundgarden

Many assumed Soundgarden’s third album would be the one to break grunge into the mainstream. In the early 1990s, grunge surged in popularity in Seattle. Badmotorfinger was released on October 8, 1991, a little over a week after Nirvana’s Nevermind. Preceding the album, a lead single, “Jesus Christ Pose”, was released in September. Nirvana’s popularity brought attention to the Seattle grunge scene, which benefited Soundgarden’s next two singles, “Outshine” and “Rusty Cage”. Given this, Badmotorfinger reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200.

‘temple of the dog’ by temple of the dog

In April 1991, Temple of the Dog released their only album. The group featured Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell along with drummer Matt Cameron. The two teamed up with future Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, and rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard. During the album’s sessions, singer Eddie Vedder auditioned for Pearl Jam. Subsequently, Vedder is featured on Temple of the Dog’s single “Hunger Strike”. In 1992, the album peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard 200.

‘ten’ by pearl jam

Pearl Jam hired Eddie Vedder during the Temple of the Dog sessions in 1991. They released their debut, Ten, on August 27, 1991. Four singles, “Alive”, “Even Flow”, “Jeremy”, and “Oceans”, all helped break grunge into the mainstream in 1992. Ten peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, and the band won two Grammy Awards for their single “Jeremy”.

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Undeniably, Nick Offerman’s iconic Parks and Recreation character, Ron Swanson, is already proud to be an American, though he likes reminders as to why. Famously, Ron Swanson characterized Americans with a single quote. “The whole point of this country is if you want to eat garbage, balloon up to 600 pounds, and die of a heart attack at 43, you can! You are free to do so. To me, that’s beautiful.” Here are three songs that would remind Ron Swanson of why he’s proud to be an American.

“courtesy of the red, white and blue” by Toby keith

Easily one of the most patriotic songs of the 21st century, Ron Swanson must know all the words to this song. A surprising number of Americans can recite this song’s lyrics, word for word. Toby Keith penned this catchy, easily accessible hit in 2002. It’s a karaoke night staple, an anthem known by millions. Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the song was released during a turbulent period in the US. “We’ll put a boot in your a** / it’s the American way” truly sounds like something Ron Swanson would say on any episode of Parks and Rec.

“god bless the u.s.a.” by lee greenwood

This is a given, but Ron Swanson would shed many tears during Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. It’s hard not to feel suddenly patriotic listening to this country hit from 1984. Lee Greenwood penned a timeless hit that re-charted three times across three decades. Ultimately, Greenwood wrote the song to unite Americans in the mid-80s, following a 1983 airborne conflict. Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down by the Soviets on September 1, 1983. Following this, Greenwood called his producer, stating, “I have to do this. I’ve always wanted to write a song about America; we need to be more united.”

“the star spangled banner” by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s rendition of the national anthem is among the greatest of all time. That’s not an opinion, as it’s been widely praised for decades. On January 27, 1991, Houston performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV. This incredibly moving performance was viewed by millions across the country. Due to increased demand, this performance was released as a charity single on February 12, 1991. Whitney Houston’s version peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, the single was re-released and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Thanks to legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, millennials everywhere begged for a new skateboard in 1999. On June 27, 2026, Tony Hawk landed the historic 900 at the 1999 X Games, becoming the first skateboarder ever to do so and inspiring millions to take up skateboarding.

Months later, on September 29, 1999, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was released. The new video game soared in popularity, with a second released in 2000, a third in 2001, and a fourth in 2002. Following this, the Tony Hawk’s Underground series launched two games, followed by Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland in 2005.

Curated by Hawk himself, the soundtrack for these games introduced many millennials to 1980s punk music. We look back at Tony Hawk’s iconic video games as the 58-year-old prepares for his only public skating appearance in 2026, happening this Friday.

“police truck” by dead kennedys

The Dead Kennedys are a massively influential punk group out of San Francisco, California. “Police Truck” was included on the first Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. It’s the B-side to their defining punk track “Holiday in Cambodia”, released in 1980. It’s the opening track on the band’s 1987 compilation album Give Me Convenience of Give Me Death. Another Dead Kennedys track was featured on American Wasteland in 2005. “California Über Alles” can be heard during the game’s opening sequence.

“wash away” by alkaline trio

T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1978. In 1981, the band adopted elements of goth rock into their punk rock style. Alkaline Trio covered their track “Wash Away” for American Wasteland (2005). Most of the game’s soundtrack featured then-modern punk or emo bands covering 80s punk songs. Other covers include My Chemical Romance’s cover of the Misfits’ “Astro Zombies” and Fall Out Boy’s cover of Gorilla Biscuits’ “Start Today”, among many others. Ultimately, this introduced millennials to 80s punk through the bands of their own era.

“you” by bad religion

In 2000, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 soundtrack featured a collection of hip-hop, alternative metal, and punk rock. Bad Religion’s “You” is a standout punk rock track that many associate with the video game. Initially released on Bad Religion’s fourth studio album, No Control, the song introduced young skateboarders to one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time. In 1989, the album marked a shift in the band’s sound, leaning into fast hardcore punk mixed with melodic hardcore. They are among the most influential punk rock acts of the 1980s.

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Hey Arnold! is among many nostalgic Nickelodeon shows from the late 1990s and early 2000s. It first aired 30 years ago on October 7, 1996, and ran until June 8, 2004. In June of 2002, Hey Arnold! The Movie was released, and a TV Movie/Finale premiered in November 2017. Since the 2017 finale, fans have questioned whether there will be a revival, as many nostalgic shows from that era have been revived in recent years.

On August 8, 2026, Hey Arnold! creator Craig Bartlett and cast members reunited for a special 30th-anniversary charity panel. This panel took place at MultiCon in Los Angeles, a one-day fan charity convention and industry fundraiser. At this event, Hey Arnold! producer and writer Joe Purdy confirmed that revival discussions are “absolutely” happening among Paramount decision-makers. Purdy stated, “Absolutely. Yes, yes, yes. There is an ever-changing environment of the business and people who are making decisions. It’s a cliché story…but sure, we are having conversations.”

Additionally, the cast will reunite once again at Extravacon in Melville, New York, for a special meet-and-greet on November 14 and 15.

The music of Hey Arnold! Live tour dates

In 1996, composer Jim Lang scored the music for the Nickelodeon series, the feature film, and the made-for-TV film. On August 18, Lang and show creator Craig Bartlett announced The Music of Hey Arnold! Live Tour. Fans will hear the iconic theme song, along with other songs from the original series and films, plus stories behind the music. The composer announced the tour via Instagram, and he’s bringing along his band, the PS118 All Stars.

The 20-date tour kicks off in Pioneertown, California, on October 26. The Music Of Hey Arnold! Live Tour has announced stops in New York, Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. On December 2, the tour will wrap up in Los Angeles. Jim Lang will lead the band, with multimedia visuals integrated throughout the performance. The iconic jazz-infused music of Hey Arnold! stood out among other Nickelodeon shows at the time. Jim Lang’s scores introduced a new generation to jazz, and the tour aims to generate nostalgia for many millennials.

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As previously reported, ZZ Top cancelled their August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl. They were set to co-headline with Cheap Trick. This was a last-minute cancellation, and future dates were cancelled as well. Initially, it was reported that this was due to “unforeseen personnel matters”. Confused by the cancellations, fans have finally found an answer. Longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at the age of 77.

In an Instagram post, guitarist Billy F. Gibbons announced the passing of his longtime bandmate. “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top.”

Additionally, band management announced, “Following Frank’s passing, ZZ Top has cancelled its upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits, one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him”.

In 2021, the band’s longtime bass player, Dusty Hill, died in his sleep. It was Beard who introduced Hill to guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, and the three formed ZZ Top.

a brief history of zz top

Initially, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill performed together in multiple groups during the mid-to-late 1960s. In May 1969, Frank Beard joined a band called The Moving Sidewalks, which featured blues-rock guitarist Billy F. Gibbons. Beard introduced Gibbons to Hill, who joined the band shortly after. Beard’s drums were a crucial key to the band’s signature sound. Once the trio honed in on their trademark “Texas boogie blues-rock”, they recorded the band’s debut.

Brilliantly titled, ZZ Top’s First Album was released in 1971, and their sophomore album, Rio Grande Mud, in 1972. It would be their third album, Tres Hombres, that broke the band into mainstream rock radio, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. Their single, “La Grange,” was the first of many signature blues-rock tracks the band would release throughout the 70s and 80s. They followed up with “Tush” in 1975, which peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1981, the band rebranded itself for the decade ahead. Ultimately, their eighth studio album, Eliminator, became the band’s most commercially successful release. Four high-charting singles, “Gimme All Your Lovin'”, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “TV Dinners”, and “Legs,” all became rock radio staples for decades to come.

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Many may not realize that emo music was actually created in the 1980s. The first wave of emo, originally dubbed emotional hardcore, derived from the hardcore punk movement of the 1980s. This first wave of emo took place from 1985 to 1991. Hardcore bands from both the East and West coasts laid the initial foundation of emo in the 80s, with bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate taking the genre into its second wave in the mid-90s.

After the turn of the century, bands such as My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy notably took the genre into the mainstream. These three 80s hardcore punk bands accidentally created the second and third waves of emo in the 90s and 2000s.

embrace

This short-lived hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C in 1985. It featured Minor Threat vocalist Ian MacKaye, a central figure in the decade’s hardcore movement. The vocalist is often credited with creating the straight edge movement, rejecting the use of drugs or alcohol. By the mid-80s, Minor Threat had parted ways, and MacKaye briefly joined Teen Idles as a bassist.

In the summer of 1985, MacKaye formed Embrace with three former members of The Faith. This summer has been dubbed Revolution Summer, which marks a time when many hardcore punk bands in the D.C. scene began experimenting and branching out. Other groups included in the Revolution Summer are Rites of Spring, Beefeater, Dag Nasty, and Egg Hunt. Embrace was one of the first bands the press dubbed emotional hardcore, though they despised the label. Still, it’s a fact that the group helped create the genre in 1985.

jawbreaker

On the West Coast, bands such as Jawbreaker also helped create emo with their poetic take on hardcore. Their initial run from 1986 to 1996 put them among the most influential hardcore punk groups of the 1990s. Formed in East Bay, California, in 1986, Jawbreaker released their debut album, Unfun, in 1990. Their debut is among the earliest examples of emo.

Bands that cited Jawbreaker as an influence include Saves the Day, Dashboard Confessional, Alkaline Trio, The Get Up Kids, and many more. Genre-defining bands such as Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance also credit Jawbreaker as a major influence, as these bands took the genre into the mainstream in the 2000s.

turning point

Formed in Moorestown, New Jersey, this straight edge hardcore band is mostly categorized as youth crew hardcore. Their initial run from 1988 to 1991 saw the band become more emo-influenced in their later releases. This helped shape the second wave of emo in the 1990s. Bands such as Thursday, Lifetime, Texas is the Reason, and Fury credit Turning Point’s emotional hardcore side as a major influence. Many hardcore punk bands of the 2000s also cite Turning Point as a major influence on the youth crew resurgence in the 21st century. Additionally, bands such as Title Fight also cite Turning Point as a crucial influence.

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On the morning of August 10, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. The damage left many buildings razed or severely damaged. This natural disaster struck in the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region, with tremors felt in neighboring Venezuela, which experienced intense earthquakes earlier this year. The earthquake was the country’s strongest since 1990, leaving over 3,000 injured with roughly 300 fatalities.

In response to this tragedy, Colombian native Shakira is offering support to her homeland. The singer comes from Barranquilla, located on the northern Caribbean coast. Her music career launched out of the country’s capital, Bogotá, the largest city in the country. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck 149 miles west of Bogotá, where the city experienced tremors.

On Monday, August 17, Shakira traveled to Quibdó, the capital of the province of Chocó. In this region, nearly 200 schools reported damage following the catastrophic quake. Shakira met with students and educators in the area and toured the damaged classrooms. Additionally, she met with Chocó’s governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, and Quibdó’s mayor, Rafael Bolaños.

ShAKIRA, gLOBAL CITIZEN, AND LIVE NATION PLEDGE TO REBUILD SCHOOLS

The “Queen of Latin Music” has pledged $1.25 million to rebuild 10 schools and a University. On her visit to her homeland, the singer was accompanied by philanthropist Howard Buffett. He has announced that his foundation would separately support the reconstruction of 10 additional schools in Chocó. To this, the philanthropist reported, “When she calls, I come.”

Shakira has stated, “What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over. Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.” The singer went on to say, “It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms. I really want to see it rebuilt again.”

In 1997, Shakira founded Fundación Pies Descalzos, expanding educational access for children in Colombia. Her foundation has operated out of Chocó for more than two decades and has run two schools in the region. Also, Shakira is dedicating her personal efforts to rebuilding a local technology university in the province of Chocó.

Shakira has partnered with Live Nation to pledge $500,000 to rebuild the schools. This coincides with a $500,000 pledge from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and $250,000 from CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The combined $1.25 million will be processed through Shakira’s foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos.

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Earning a hit song isn’t the hardest part; it’s actually penning a follow-up hit. Many bands and artists struggle with this, as the initial hit was a tough enough feat in itself. Replicating success doesn’t always work out, and an artist can easily be forgotten or left behind in the mainstream while continuing to work to build a following on their own. This is why, 30 years later, these one-hit wonders of the 1990s still perform to this very day.

Los Del Río

In the mid-90s, Spanish pop duo Los Del Río penned a massive dance hit called “Macarena”. Initially released in 1993, an upbeat version dubbed the “Bayside Boys Remix” spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. This version features an English spoken section by the Bayside Boys, who chant “Hey Macarena!” The dance craze was created after the duo noticed a flamenco dancer in Venezuela performing similar moves. Surprisingly, the duo formed in 1962 and released 20 albums in their career. The pop duo still performs to this day.

Haddaway

Though Haddaway penned only one major hit in the US, they penned multiple in Europe. Nonetheless, he’s included among the one-hit wonders of the 1990s. His 1993 hit “What Is Love” peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though three more singles off the same album charted high in Europe and other countries, none broke into the top 40 in the US. In March, Haddaway released his sixth studio album and has many upcoming performances booked for fall 2026.

TOADIES

As much as their diehard fanbase would like to say otherwise, Toadies fall into the one-hit wonder category. Their signature track “Possum Kingdom” charted significantly higher than their other singles. In 1995, it peaked at No. 4 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their follow-up single, “Away”, peaked at No. 28 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 23 on the Mainstream Rock chart. In the 2000’s, “Push The Hand” and “No Deliverance” landed at No. 34 and No. 38, respectively. Toadies still perform with a cult following who will be jumping to debate whether they belong on this list. They’re currently on The Charmer Tour with Local H, performing across the US throughout the fall.

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On this day in 1969, Donnie Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was first known as an original member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. Donnie was discovered at the age of 15. It was his rapping abilities that got him the role in the group, making him the first member to join. Record producer Maurice Starr, who had discovered New Edition, created New Kids on the Block as a counterpart. Initially, Donnie’s brother Mark also joined the group but left just a few months later.

New Kids on the Block formed in 1984 and released their debut album two years later, in 1986. Their debut was commercially ignored, and it would be their sophomore release that shot the band into stardom. In 1988, New Kids on the Block’s Hangin’ Tough was a massive commercial success, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Their breakthrough single, “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”, featured co-lead vocals by Donnie Wahlberg and bandmate Jordan Knight. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following this, their next single, “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)”, became the group’s first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. This was followed by “Hangin’ Tough” in 1989, which would be Donnie’s first No. 1 hit as a lead vocalist. The album’s final single, “Cover Girl”, peaked at No. 2, just shy of topping the chart, and also featured lead vocals by Donnie. In 1990, the group’s cover of The Superiors’ “Step by Step” was one of the best-selling singles released that year. It peaked at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cashbox Top 100.

NKOTB BREAKS UP, DONNIE TRANSITIONS INTO ACTING

In 1994, New Kids on the Block called it quits for various reasons. Media scrutiny, extensive and intense touring schedules, and artistic differences led to their disbandment. Meanwhile, Donnie’s brother had launched his own group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. In 1996, Donnie Wahlberg landed two major breakout acting roles in Bulletproof and Ransom. In 1999, Donnie was praised for his harrowing performance in The Sixth Sense.

He went on to have a successful television career, starring in Band of Brothers (2001) and the crime drama Boomtown (2003). From 2010 to 2024, he starred as Detective Danny Reagan in the police drama Blue Bloods. In 2025, he revived the character in its spin-off, Boston Blue.

From 2015 to 2019, Donnie co-starred on the reality TV show Wahlburgers alongside his brothers Paul and Mark. Mark Wahlberg also embarked on a successful acting career, eventually becoming a high-profile Hollywood actor.

New Kids on the Block reunited in 2008 and continue to tour together to this day.

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On this day in 1991, Nirvana shot the music video for the song that broke grunge into the mainstream. In May 1991, the band recorded their hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. on September 24, 1991, the release of their sophomore album, Nevermind, defined the decade ahead. Ahead of the album’s release, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released as a single on September 10, 1991. Its iconic music video was shot one month before, on August 17.

The music video was shot at GMT Studios in Culver City, California, for less than $50,000. It was a low-budget shoot that featured real Nirvana fans as the audience. Ahead of the shoot, the band released an announcement calling on fans to appear in the video. The announcement read, “You should be 18 to 25 years old and adapt to a high-school persona, i.e preppy, punk, nerd, jock…”

Director Samuel Brayer believes he was chosen for the job because his test reel was so poor that the band felt the result would be more “punk” and “not corporate.” Overall, this would be Brayer’s first music video shoot, and he went on to shoot videos for Ozzy Osbourne, Blind Melon, The Smashing Pumpkins, and many more throughout the decade.

the inspiration for the iconic music video

Kurt Cobain mentioned on various occasions that one of his favorite films was Jonathan Kaplan’s 1979 film Over the Edge. This can be heard in the 2015 documentary film, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. In Over the Edge, rebellious teenagers lock their parents and teachers in a school while they destroy the town. Cobain made a connection between this film and the music video concept for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Additionally, The Ramones 1979 film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School also served as inspiration for the video.

Nirvana is seen performing during a school pep rally in a dystopian reality. Students mosh while cheerleaders in black wear black outfits with anarchy symbols. The students destroy the set, which actually happened, as many of the extras grew frustrated during the shoot. Ultimately, this left the crew scrambling to finish safety shots, as the extras had destroyed the set by the end of shooting.

The video won Nirvana the Best New Artist and Best Alternative Group awards at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2000, Guinness World Records named “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the most-played video on MTV Europe. Upon release, the song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.

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There was a lot of angst and pent-up anger featured in the music of the late 90s and early 2000s. Fans and artists vented through genres such as emo, nu-metal, and hard rock. These four rock songs from the 2000s have probably caused at least one hole in a rental property during that time.

“down with the sickness” by disturbed

One of the most recognizable nu-metal hits of the early 2000s is “Down With The Sickness”. Disturbed vocalist David Draiman had recently undergone vocal cord surgery for acid reflux. One day during a vocal warm-up, Draiman belted out the signature “ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah” that was then attached to the song. Overall, it’s about a struggle with individuality in an oppressive, conformist society. The intensity of this nu-metal track is sure to have lit a fire in many fans, resulting in holes in multiple rental properties’ drywall.

“break stuff” by limp bizkit

It’s just one of those days. Limp Bizkit penned this nu-metal anthem in 2000, leading to countless acts of violence. Notably, their Woodstock ’99 crowd committed various violent acts and is among the most chaotic live performances in history. Basically, vocalist Fred Durst incited a riot with this track. With lyrics such as “Don’t you know I pack a chainsaw / I’ll skin your a** raw / And if things keep going this way I just might / Break your f**king face tonight / Give me something to break.” Fans of the band looking for something to break most likely focused their anger on nearby drywall.

“the kill” by thirty seconds to mars

Initially known for his successful acting career, Jared Leto is also the vocalist of the emo-pioneering group Thirty Seconds to Mars. Their signature track, “The Kill”, is about a broken relationship. The desperation in the chorus: “Come, break me down / bury me, bury me / I am finished with you” is sure to bring out the emotion in anyone suffering heartbreak. Additionally, the song is an anthem about finding yourself. “The Kill” was a massive emo hit, peaking at No. 3 on the US Alternative Airplay chart in 2006. Subsequently, their follow-up single “From Yesterday” reached No. 1 on the chart.

Photo by Martin Philbey/Redferns

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Legendary Four Seasons singer Frankie Valli is retiring, or so we thought. Earlier this week, Frankie’s brother Bobby posted what appeared to be a retirement announcement on Facebook. “He has millions of fans who love him dearly. He is now 92 years old. In his illustrious career, he has sold over 100 million records, R&R Hall of Fame. He will now retire. We will always have special memories of Frankie Valli. He has reached a place in his life where his family is there to love, cherish, and be there for him.”

Frankie Valli followed up with his own post on Instagram. “In spite of what you might have heard, I am not retired. – Frankie.” The iconic singer was quick to shut down any sort of retirement announcement.

Due to this, Frankie’s brother Bobby amended his original message. He replaced “he will not retire” with “In my humble opinion, there is a possibility he will stop touring.” Again, Bobby updated the message once more, replacing that line with “We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and that he can continue to tour and perform.”

In May, Frankie Valli Canceled His Remaining 2026 Performances

On August 14, Bobby Valli posted an apology. “I apologize; I was misinformed. I was under the impression my brother Frankie was retiring.” The next day, Bobby added, “If I misled or offended anyone, once again I apologize.”

In May, Frankie Valli announced he would be cancelling the remainder of his 2026 concerts. His representative confirmed, “He realized he needed to take a break and get his health in order.” Ultimately, she emphasized that the singer is expecting to perform in 2027.

Frankie’s brother continues to wish the “Sherry” singer a speedy recovery. As Valli’s health issues haven’t been publicly disclosed, it is still unclear what this entails. He has noticeably struggled to perform for years, leading many fans to be concerned for his well-being. I have to admit, his relentlessness is admirable, to say the least.

Valli’s 75-year career dates back to the early 1960s. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons penned 29 top-40 hits, with six No. 1 hits. As a solo artist, Valli earned two No. 1 hits in the 1970s, “My Eyes Adored You” and “Grease”. Additionally, his origin story with the Four Seasons has been adapted into a Broadway musical titled Jersey Boys. This resulted in a 2014 film of the same name, directed by Clint Eastwood.

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Tribal tattoos became a fad in the late 90s and throughout the 2000s. Rock stars, professional wrestlers, and professional athletes sported tribal tattoos. Many of them became an identifiable symbol of their image. In time, tribal tattoos fell out of style. Many still have their tattoos from this era, and these three rock songs will take them back to their glory days.

“scars” by papa roach

“The scars remind us that the past is real / I tear my heart open, just to feel”.

The lines were personal for rock fans of the early 2000s. It brought together lyrical elements of emo and attached them to post-grunge. This crossover of styles was successful, as the song hit No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart. They just don’t make them like they used to. You don’t have to tear your heart open just to feel; you can simply listen to the song to feel something.

“song for the dead” by queens of the stone age

In 2002, Dave Grohl took a break from his role as frontman of Foo Fighters. He returned to drums, briefly joining Queens of the Stone Age. He appeared on their critically acclaimed third album, Songs For The Deaf. Not only were their fans the type to sport tribal tattoos, but Grohl has multiple himself. A shirtless Dave Grohl opens this track with explosive drums, which ranks among his best drumming moments. Fans went wild for this one in the early 2000s. It continues to be a fan-favorite track from the band.

“blurry” by puddle of mudd

Puddle of Mudd’s “Blurry” is a defining post-grunge track from the turn of the century. This power ballad was released as the second single from their sophomore album, Come Clean, becoming the band’s signature hit in 2001. The album went to No. 9 on the Billboard 200. “Blurry” hit No. 1 on both the Mainstream Rock chart and the Alternative Airplay chart upon release. Puddle of Mudd’s music video for the track featured Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit.

Photo by Hayley Madden/Redferns

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Millennials are now at least 30 years old; therefore, we’re not running the dance floor anymore. That being said, certain hits of our era are still irresistible. These 2000s club hits are guaranteed to bring all the millennials to the dance floor.

“hotel room service” by pitbull

Released in June 2009, this iconic club hit can bring out the dance moves. Together, millennials all over the club will chant along with “We at the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn!” To this day, I can’t see a Holiday Inn without these lines running through my mind. Whether it’s at the club, at a wedding, or any social event, millennials are sure to swarm the dance floor upon hearing this Pitbull classic.

“in da club” by 50 cent

I mean, the name says it all. Released in 2003 from 50 Cent’s debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, “In Da Club” was a massively successful single. It was 50 Cent’s first No. 1 hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, Pop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay charts. Ultimately, this track is a staple of early-2000s culture, transporting a generation back to their era of flip phones and baggy pants.

“yeah!” by usher ft. lil jon & ludacris

All three of these artists were huge stars in the 2000s. The combination was effective, generating a global chart-topping club hit in 2004. Much like “In Da Club” one year earlier, it topped the Hot 100, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the Pop Airplay chart, and the Rhythmic chart. Subsequently, “Yeah!” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. It ranked second on the Billboard Hot 100 2000-2009 Decade-end chart.

“i gotta feeling” by The black eyed peas

The Black Eyed Peas generated multiple hits throughout the 2000s. In 2009, “I Gotta Feeling” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Pop Airplay chart. It debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100, positioned behind their previous single “Boom Boom Pow”. With this, they joined a short list of 11 artists who have occupied the top two positions on the chart. Additionally, “I Gotta Feeling” topped the charts in over 20 countries in 2009.

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Legendary frontman and metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025. A farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, took place on July 5 and served as Ozzy’s final performance. Many bands and artists performed in Ozzy’s honor as he reunited with Black Sabbath.

Ozzy’s family took the rock star’s passing particularly hard. Together, his daughter Kelly, his son Jack, and his wife Sharon spoke about this hard time with teary eyes on The Osbournes Podcast in 2025. This is why Kelly Osbourne is quick to defend her father’s legacy.

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider took to social media in a string of posts about many musicians’ legacies. Snider has been known to take stabs at musicians, as he and KISS singer Paul Stanley exchanged words years ago. Snider frequently replies to fans on the social media platform X.

how the exchange began

In particular, Snider pointed to a legal dispute over songwriting credits between the late Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Bob Daisley, which led to a lawsuit in the 1980s. Despite this, Daisley continued a working relationship with Ozzy.

The dispute began with a post about Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister’s contributions to Osbourne’s 1991 album No More Tears. Snider stated, “I know too much about the truth behind the scenes. Let’s just say that Sharon doesn’t like to share.” A fan responded, claiming, “Bob Daisley says he’s written a load of lyrics, then was told they weren’t needed for No More Tears. Then he got sacked for the final time.”

To this, Snider replied, “A load? How about ALL the lyrics? Ozzy always had a bass player write his lyrics. Geezer Butler wrote ALL of Black Sabbath’s lyrics. Daisley wrote lyrics for the first two solo albums (I’m pretty sure he was paid to write on other records but not credited), and Lemmy wrote the lyrics.”

Kelly osbourne was quick to defend her father

Kelly took to her Instagram story, stating, “My father’s legacy as a musician, songwriter, singer, and bandleader speaks for itself. His friends, those who worked with him, those who love him, and millions of fans around the world who continue to buy his records know exactly what he meant, what he contributed, and what he leaves behind. His legacy will live on eternally.”

She elaborated in her following post. “Dee Snider, your list hit…not to age myself, was the year I was born, over 40 years ago.” Kelly went on to say Snider is “classless” and that “My father doesn’t need Dee Snider’s approval to establish his place in music history.”

To this, Snider responded, “And again. To be clear, I HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR OZZY. He was always lovely to me. Black Sabbath changed my life! As a songwriter, I can be a little touchy about credit and royalties.”

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