The 7 Most Explosive Modern Girl-Group Performances in Honor of Fifth Harmony’s VMA Nom
The VMAs are coming! And there’s gonna be Britney! Vaguely related: Girl group Fifth Harmony, who are nominated in the Best Collaboration Video for their “Work From Home” video with Tyga Dollar Sign, first became a group on the Spears-hosted X Factor. After viewing the construction-themed video, I’m pretty sure they’re not actually talking about “working” from home. At least when I do it, there’s about 1,000 percent fewer hot shirtless dudes.
The song, with its silly/suggestive wordplay, evokes the spirit of classic Destiny’s Child — remember those “automo-bills”? With this in mind, let us scroll through some of the most memorable moments in girl-group performance from the past two decades, both scandalous and inspiring, from the VMAs and beyond.
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1. Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, featuring Missy Elliott, at the 2003 VMAs
Not to harp too much on Britney, but you can’t talk about the VMAs without talking about this famous performance. While the four legendary performers weren’t actually a group per se, the VMAs has a history of putting together supergroups of powerhouse female vocalists. (See also, No. 7 on this list.)
The two younger pop stars writhe on the floor in wedding dresses in imitation of Madonna’s 1984 performance before welcoming the Material Girl herself. And, of course, the big shocker was when Madonna kissed first Spears then Aguilera midsong.
Also, the camera cuts repeatedly to the guys from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which I forgot was a thing until just now.
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2. The Dixie Chicks at the 2007 Grammys
The Dixie Chicks inadvertently alienated country audiences when singer Natalie Maines made some actually pretty tame comments criticizing then President George W. Bush in concert in 2003. The band was boycotted on country radio, received piles of hate mail, and eventually appeared nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly with phrases like “Big Mouth” and “Dixie Sluts” printed on their bodies.
The 2007 Grammys appearance was a moment of redemption, in which the Chicks addressed their critics through the lyrics of their song “Not Ready to Make Nice.” They then went on to win five Grammys including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. I still get goose bumps after the “shut up and sing” line.
3. TLC at the VMAs in 1995
Hot off the release of bestselling album Crazy Sexy Cool, TLC was the biggest girl group around when they performed a medley of their hits in coordinating black-and-white crop tops and baggy pants. Oh, and they danced too.
Particularly awesome (and sad) is the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes rapping in her signature spitfire style on “Waterfalls.”
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4. “Lady Marmalade” at the MTV Movie Awards in 2001
In 2001, nobody knew the actual lyrics to this cover from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, but everybody was singing along anyway. This showstopping performance featured Lil’ Kim, Mya, Christina Aguilera, and Pink, who came out in robes before stripping down to shiny lingerie-inspired costumes. (Or maybe that was just actual lingerie?)
Oh, and then Patti LaBelle comes out! Instant history.
5. The Spice Girls at the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony
Rio was dope, but let’s remember the sacred moment at the London Olympics when the freaking Spice Girls reunited and rocked the freaking world with GIRL POWER? The Girls were driven onstage by taxis and then broke into their breakout hit “Wannabe.” Later the cars transformed into moving stages that the girls danced on as they performed “Spice Up Your Life.” One of the world’s most iconic girl groups in a larger-than-life performance.
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6. Destiny’s Child at the Super Bowl in 2013
Beyoncé’s solo career has reached stratospheric levels, but in 2013 she made room during her halftime show for her old pals Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in a surprise Destiny’s Child reunion. I love Beyoncé, but I basically haven’t stopped hoping these two are about to pop out every time she’s onstage. The trio, clad in their trademark “almost the same but a little different” costumes, blazed through “Bootylicious,” “Independent Women,” and “Single Ladies,” complete with that dance.
7. Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes at the VMAs in 1997
Gold lamé? Shirtless male dancers? A chariot? This hip-hop supergroup performing their hit single “Not Tonight” at the Chris Rock-hosted 1997 VMAs is one of the few times we’ve gotten to see four female rappers onstage together. Even the over-the-top Egyptian theme doesn’t detract from the moment. It was so powerful that Lil’ Kim, Missy, Da Brat, and Total re-created the performance at the 2014 Soul Train Awards. Also, Missy Elliott has popped up in fully a third of these, so apparently she’s the key to a great girl-group moment. Here’s hoping she shows up Sunday night!
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