Everyone remembers rushing home to watch 106 & Park. The BET show was on par with TRL in becoming every millennial’s go-to show for music videos and performances from their favorite artists. For 14 years, 106 & Park served as the highest-rated show on BET, becoming a launching pad for artists such as Ciara and Drake, while featuring many of our faves such as Aaliyah, Brandy, Monica, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott. Very recently, Normani paid homage to 106 & Park in her music video for her latest single “Motivation.”
In honor of its 19th anniversary (September 1, 2000), we’ve decided to countdown some of our favorite moments from the show.
1. Aaliyah’s Final Interview
On August 21, 2001, music legend Aaliyah sat down for her final interview with former hosts Free and AJ Calloway. Her self titled final album had been recently released to universal acclaim and the singer was a year removed from her well-received debut film performance in Romeo Must Die. She died four days late on August 25, 2001.
2. The Death Of Michael Jackson
It’s safe to say that everyone remembers where they were when it was announced that music legend Michael Jackson had passed away. Turns out, the announcement of his passing coincided with a live broadcast of 106 & Park, forcing hosts Terrence J and Rocsi Diaz to go off script and deliver the news to a stunned audience.
3. Chingy, Trina And Jermaine Dupri Take The ‘106 & Park’ Stage
The 2000s were quite a memorable time for the hip-hop genre. Every now and then, 106 & Park would have a major musical talent hold down the fort as host. In 2003, rapper Ludacris took over one episode as host, while rappers Chingy, Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri took the stage to perform the remix of “Right Thurr.”
4. Ciara’s First BET Performance
In 2004, Ciara had stormed onto the scene with her debut album, Goodies. The self-titled debut single quickly garnered airplay, skyrocketing up to number one on the Billboard 200 album charts. The Atlanta-bred performer quickly made a beeline to 106 & Park to perform the hit single, showcasing the dance moves many know her for.
5. Clash Of The Titans
September 11, 2007, is widely considered by many music enthusiasts to be a memorable moment in the world of hip-hop. Both Kanye West and 50 Cent released their respective studio albums, Graduation and Curtis, on the same day. Hype for which album would sell more in its opening week had already reached fever pitch but went even higher after these hip-hop titans dropped by 106 & Park to discuss their album drops.
6. Whitney Houston Makes A Surprise Appearance
Surprise appearances on countdown shows were not out of ordinary in the 2000s. However, when your surprise guest is Whitney Houston it’s outside of the norm. The legendary singer made a surprise appearance on the 106 & Park stage to a stunned audience and to the astonishment of former Marie “Free” Wright (beginning at the 1:11 mark).
7. First Lady Michelle Obama Makes A Special Appearance
It’s certainly a rarity when a First Lady makes a major television appearance on a countdown show. In 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama made a special appearance on 106 & Park. In an episode that consisted of an audience filled with mostly New York City high school students, the beloved First Lady discussed the pivotal role education played in her life.
READ MORE:
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