How to listen to the R&B Throwback Weekend 🙌
Listen this weekend for the perfect soundtrack
Last updated 26th Jul 2022
We're playing some of the biggest R&B throwbacks around this weekend! Get ready for two days full of tunes that are guaranteed to put you in the perfect mood.
Whether you were a fan of Beyoncé before she had solo success, Craig David's unique UK Garage/R&B mix, Rihanna's huge anthems or Jason Derulo, there's bound to be a song that has you reminiscing in no time.
It all kicks off Saturday morning on MFR. Listen this weekend for the best R&B soundtrack!
Take a look at our incredible weekend shows on MFR.
Check out these amazing throwback tunes you may have forgotten about:
Craig David - 'Fill Me In' (2001)
Another debut hit to reach the sunny heights of the UK Chart, Craig David's 'Fill Me In' was his debut solo single after he featured on Artful Dodger's, 'Re-Rewind'. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Alicia Keys - 'Fallin'' (2001)
'Fallin'' was Alicia Key's debut hit released in 2001. Not only was the song a Top 5 hit in the UK, it also won three GRAMMY Awards in 2002 and was nominated for a fourth.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Destiny's Child - 'Bootylicious' (2001)
Before Beyoncé became a solo superstar, she, along with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams - better known as Destiny's Child - saw huge success with their 2001 hit 'Bootylicious'. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Eve & Gwen Stefani - 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind' (2001)
Teaming up for this GRAMMY Award-winning song, Eve and Gwen Stefani had a Top 5 hit with 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind' in the UK. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ja Rule & Ashanti - 'Always On Time' (2001)
Originally set to feature Brandy, Ashanti was eventually brought on board to collab with Ja Rule, earning her a Top 10 UK single with 'Always On Time'. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Mary J Blige - 'Family Affair' (2001)
Written by Mary J Blige, along with a team including her brother and Dr Dre, 'Family Affair' was the singer's first Number 1 single in the US. The music video has also been remastered and is now available on YouTube. You can watch the music video on YouTube
The Calling - 'Wherever You Will Go' (2001)
Yet another debut hit to make our list of songs you forgot about, The Calling's 'Wherever You Will Go' remains the band's most successful hit to date. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Nelly & City Spud - 'Ride Wit Me' (2001)
'Ride Wit Me' was Nelly's third single from his debut album. The song's video won Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2001. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Usher - 'U Remind Me' (2001)
'U Remind Me' won Usher his first GRAMMY Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2002, after becoming a worldwide hit. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ian Van Dahl - 'Castles In The Sky' (2001)
As dance songs go, this is one of the classics from the early noughties. Despite their name, Ian Van Dahl was a trance act rather than a person, and the song became a major hit here in the UK. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ashanti - 'Foolish' (2002)
Ashanti's debut single 'Foolish' was a massive hit around the world, and the music video was nominated three times at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, and Best New Artist. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Eminem - 'Lose Yourself' (2002)
Written and produced by the rapper himself, 'Lose Yourself' was featured on the soundtrack of the film 8 Mile, which also starred Eminem.
Justin Timberlake - 'Like I Love You' (2002)
What a throwback! 'Like I Love You' was Justin Timberlake's debut solo single and it didn't disappoint, reaching Number 2 in the UK. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Nelly - 'Hot In Herre' (2002)
Nelly's 'Hot In Herre' wasn't just a hit, it was a GRAMMY Award-winning hit, picking up the first ever Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2003. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Nelly & Kelly Rowland - 'Dilemma' (2002)
What a pairing! Nelly teamed up with Kelly Rowland for her first single since leaving Destiny's Child. This hit features Patti LaBelle's 1983 song 'Love, Need and Want You'. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Beyonce & Jay-Z - 'Crazy In Love' (2003)
'Crazy In Love' was Beyoncé's first solo single after Destiny's Child, and featured Jay-Z. The massive hit was a Number 1 around the world, back in 2003. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Black Eyed Peas - 'Where Is The Love?' (2003)
Where Is The Love?' was a GRAMMY-nominated song back in 2003, it was also the lead single from the group's third album 'Elephunk'.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Justin Timberlake - 'Rock Your Body' (2003)
'Rock Your Body' was originally intended for Michael Jackson's album 'Invincible', but according to the Huffington Post he turned it down, so it was offered to Justin Timberlake. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Kevin Lyttle - 'Turn Me On' (2003)
'Turn Me On' is a huge summer throwback. It was a worldwide hit for Kevin Lyttle back in 2003 and still fills dancefloors today.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Mario - 'Let Me Love You' (2004)
The GRAMMY-nominated song 'Let Me Love You' was a huge hit back in 2004, it was also chosen by former One Direction singer, Zayn Malik, to sing in his X Factor audition in 2010.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Snow Patrol - 'Run' (2004)
'Run' has been covered a number of times, but it was originally released by Snow Patrol in 2004, and they had huge success with it in the UK charts. You can watch the music video on YouTube
The Killers - 'Mr. Brightside' (2004)
The Killers' 'Mr Brightside' was originally released in 2003, but after only receiving minor success, it was re-released a year later, becoming very popular.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Usher & Ludacris & Lil' Jon - 'Yeah!' (2004)
'Yeah!' won a GRAMMY for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, as well as being nominated for Record of the Year. The song also had huge success in the UK and around the world. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Bob Sinclar - 'Love Generation' (2005)
A big hit for French DJ Bob Sinclar back in 2005, the 'Love Generation' music video features a little boy riding his bike in different locations across the US.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Kanye West & Jamie Foxx - 'Gold Digger' (2005)
'Gold Digger' was hugely popular in 2005, winning a GRAMMY for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2006. Here in the UK it reached the sunny heights of Number 2.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Rihanna - 'Pon De Replay' (2005)
'Pon De Replay' was Rihanna's debut single, and what a single it was. The song was certified Platinum in the UK and 2x Platinum in the US, where it also reached Number 2. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Snoop Dogg & Charlie Wilson featuring Justin Timberlake - 'Signs' (2005)
'Signs' featured on Snoop Dogg's seventh studio album 'R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece'. The song was big hit here, selling 400,000 copies and being certified Gold.
Rihanna - 'SOS' (2006)
'SOS' was the lead single from Rihanna's second album, and sampled Soft Cell's 1981 hit 'Tainted Love'. Three music videos were recorded for the song in addition to the official one.
Amy Winehouse - 'Rehab' (2006)
'Rehab' was the lead single from Amy Winehouse's second and final album. The song won three GRAMMY Awards including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, as well as an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Amy Winehouse - 'Back To Black' (2007)
Written by Amy along with Mark Ronson, 'Back to Black' was featured on the singer's album of the same name.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Beyoncé - 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' (2008)
Featuring on her third studio album, Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' is known the world over for its iconic dance and music video. The song won several awards including GRAMMYs and MTV Video Music Awards. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Kings Of Leon - 'Sex On Fire' (2008)
'Sex On Fire' gave Kings of Leon their first Number 1 single in the UK, back in 2008, as well as winning the band a GRAMMY for Best Rock Performance by a duo or group with vocals.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Florence + The Machine - 'You've Got The Love' (2009)
Originally released by Candi Staton in 1986, Florence + The Machine covered 'You've Got The Love' in 2009.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys - 'Empire State Of Mind' (2009)
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' fantastic collab won the pair GRAMMYs for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2011.
Bruno Mars - 'Just The Way You Are' (2010)
Bruno Mars' debut single was written by the singer along with a team of songwriters, and despite having a mixed response by critics, the song reached the top spot in the UK.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Justin Bieber - 'Baby' (2010)
Who can forget Justin Bieber's iconic breakout single 'Baby'?! Teaming up with megastar rapper Ludacris, the song served as the lead single from Justin's debut album 'My World 2.0'. Hitting the Number 3 spot on the UK Singles Chart, it's safe to say this one is still a certified banger to this day!
Eminem & Rihanna - 'Love The Way You Lie' (2010)
Often described as one of Eminem's best songs, 'Love the Way You Lie' was nominated for five GRAMMYs, as well as several Billboard Awards, winning Best Rap Song. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Adele - 'Someone Like You' (2011)
'Someone Like You' was certified 4× Platinum in the UK and saw Adele nominated for several awards, including a BRIT Award for British Single of the Year, with the singer winning a GRAMMY for Best Pop Solo Performance. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ed Sheeran - 'The A Team' (2011)
Before Ed Sheeran took over the music world, it was his debut single 'The A Team' that saw his first success. The song was nominated at The BRITs for Best British Single and became a Top 3 hit for Ed. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Rihanna & Calvin Harris - 'We Found Love' (2011)
Teaming up for this dance-pop throwback, Rihanna and Calvin Harris won a GRAMMY Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 2013.
You can watch the music video on YouTube.
Professor Green featuring Emeli Sande - 'Read All About It' (2012)
'Read All About It' was a Number 1 single for Professor Green and Emeli Sande, being certified Platinum in the UK it sold over 600,000 copies.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams - 'Get Lucky' (2013)
When French duo Daft Punk teamed up with Pharrell Williams, and Nile Rodgers they produced 'Get Lucky'. A hugely popular song when it was released, it won GRAMMYs for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
James Arthur - 'Impossible' (2013)
'Impossible' was James Arthur's first song after winning The X Factor. The cover of Shontelle's 2010 song became the UK's fastest-selling single of 2012.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
John Legend - 'All Of Me' (2013)
Dedicated to his wife Chrissy Teigen, 'All Of Me' became a Number 2 hit for John Legend, and the third best-selling song of 2014 in the UK.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Rudimental & Ella Eyre - 'Waiting All Night' (2013)
Cast your mind back to 2013, and in the summer the festivals were full of Rudimental & Ella Eyre's 'Waiting All Night'. The song was a Number 1 hit for the band and won a BRIT for British Single of the Year.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Calvin Harris - 'Summer' (2014)
Released in 2014, Calvin Harris' 'Summer' became the superstar DJ's fourth Number 1 in the UK and we still love it to this day. It's time to turn up the tunes!
Watch the music video on YouTube
Duke Dumont & Jax Jones - 'I Got U' (2014)
When Duke Dumont and Jax Jones joined forces in 2014, they created this huge throwback, 'I Got U'. The song topped the charts in the UK and was certified Platinum.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ed Sheeran - 'Thinking Out Loud' (2014)
'Thinking Out Loud' was a global success for Ed Sheeran when it was released in 2014. The song was also nominated for many awards including three GRAMMY Awards, of which it won two.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars - 'Uptown Funk' (2014)
'Uptown Funk' was a Number 1 hit for Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars when it was released earlier than expected after {{fleurEast}} covered it on The X Factor.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Mr. Probz - 'Waves (Robin Schulz Mix)' (2014)
After the original version of the song was remixed by Robin Schulz, 'Waves' became a massive hit, making it the fourth best-selling song of 2014 in the UK.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Sia - 'Chandelier' (2014)
'Chandelier' was the lead single from Sia's sixth album. The song was nominated for four GRAMMYs - Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Ariana Grande - 'One Last Time' (2015)
Written by French DJ David Guetta and a team of writers, 'One Last Time' was included on Ariana Grande's album 'My Everything'.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
Justin Bieber - 'Love Yourself' (2015)
Co-written by Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran along with Benny Blanco, 'Love Yourself' was a hit with fans propelling it to the Number 1 spot around the world, including here in the UK. You can watch the music video on YouTube
Read more:
Successful songs you totally forgot about
Beyoncé's glittering career: From Destiny's Child to The Carters