15 iconic "TRL" performances
No music show was more influential for millennials of a certain age than "Total Request Live." Starting in 1998, this MTV series was a staple of the '00s, and that's thanks in large part to the iconic live performances that happened in — and beyond — MTV's Times Square studio.
Flip through the slideshow for 15 of the most iconic TRL performances. From Britney Spears to the Backstreet Boys, these performances are Y2K music at its finest.
Aaliyah, "Try Again"
Just one year before her tragic death in a 2001 plane crash, R&B sensation Aaliyah pulled off an engaging performance of her song "Try Again" in front of a spring break crowd that couldn't get enough.
Eminem, "Like Toy Soldiers"
In 2004, Total Request Live headed to Berlin, Germany, and brought along legendary rapper Eminem. The man formerly known as Marshall Mathers kept the crowd screaming as he performed "Like Toy Soldiers," the lead single from his album "Encore."
Justin Timberlake, "Cry Me A River"
On the streets of Times Square, Justin Timberlake proved to the world that he was ready to move on from the boy band era into a bonafide solo career with a performance of "Cry Me A River," from his first album "Justified," on TRL in 2002.
Kelly Clarkson, "Since U Been Gone"
Now that she's a massive star with her own talk show, it's easy to forget that in 2004, she was just two years out from her win on "American Idol." In this performance at MTV's Times Square headquarters, Clarkson's powerful pipes and the eternal catchiness of "Since U Been Gone" are a clear crowd-pleasers.
Britney Spears, "Oops I Did It Again"
With its overly involved choreography, and Britney's characteristic vocals, this performance of "Oops I Did It Again" just feels so quintessentially Y2K. And considering that it was on TRL in 2000, that totally makes sense.
Backstreet Boys, "I Want It That Way"
Perched on stools in the TRL studios performing the biggest hit of the year, the Backstreet Boys offered an intimate and stripped-down performance of "I Want It That Way" in 1999. In certain moments, the screams from the crowd actually drown out the music.
Ariana Grande, "Problem"
By 2014, "TRL" was pretty much already a thing of the past. But Ariana Grande brought new relevance to the show that year with a gorgeous acoustic rendition of her song "Problem," and it's a stunning showcase of Grande's incredible vocal prowess.
Usher, "Yeah!"
In 2004, Usher's "Yeah" was absolutely inescapable, and that's because it's still one of the catchiest club hits in music history. Usher teamed up with Lil' John to bring the song to TRL, complete with a totally 2000s dance routine — and outfits.
Christina Aguilera, "Beautiful"
In 2002, Christina Aguilera premiered her powerful ballad "Beautiful" on TRL via an intimate, acoustic performance that made it clear why she's considered one of the best pop singers of her generation.
Blink 182, "Dammit"
Even at the height of the boy band era, pop punk got its moment in the TRL sun when Blink-182 stopped by to perform an almost unimaginably energetic version of their song "Dammit."
Outkast, "Hey Ya!"
In 2003, Atlanta rap duo Outkast changed the game with "Hey Ya," a super-catchy hit that had everyone in the TRL audience trying to "shake it like a Polaroid picture."
NSYNC, "Tearin' Up My Heart"
In 1998, NSYNC ruled the TRL airwaves, and fans packed into the street — and studio — with tons of signs (and plenty of screams!) to watch the band perform their song "Tearin' Up My Heart."
Beyonce & Jay-Z, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
In 2002, before the world officially knew they were a couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z stopped by TRL to perform their song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde." Who'd have thought then that they'd become one of the most powerful — and long-lasting — couples in entertainment?
Avril Lavigne, "Complicated"
As throngs of spring breakers in bathing suits looked on, Avril Lavigne brought the pop-punk aesthetic to TRL in the summer of 2002 with a performance of her hit song "Complicated."
"If I Were A Boy," Beyonce
After ten years on the airwaves, TRL called it quits (temporarily) in 2008 with a final performance from — who else? — Beyonce. It's an iconic moment in MTV history, with an excellent medley of "If I Were A Boy," "Single Ladies," and "Crazy In Love."
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