Forgotten Stars: 14 Music Icons from the 2000s You Might Not Remember

Remember the days of burning CDs and browsing Limewire? The 2000s music scene was packed with one-hit wonders and almost-famous stars who briefly lit up our radio dials. While some artists from this era became household names, others faded from the spotlight despite their incredible talent and catchy hits. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to revisit these musical gems who deserve another moment in the sun.

1. Daniel Bedingfield: The British Pop Sensation

British singer Daniel Bedingfield rocketed to fame with his garage-influenced hit “Gotta Get Thru This” in 2001. Self-recorded in his bedroom, this DIY track showcased his impressive vocal range and dance sensibilities.

His follow-up ballad “If You’re Not The One” cemented his status as a versatile artist who could deliver both club bangers and emotional slow jams. After releasing his sophomore album in 2004, Bedingfield largely disappeared from mainstream charts.

A serious car accident in New Zealand temporarily sidelined his career, and despite occasional new releases, he never quite recaptured his early 2000s momentum. His sister Natasha enjoyed similar brief fame during this era.

2. Cassie: R&B’s Whisper-Voiced Wonder

When “Me & U” hit airwaves in 2006, Cassie Ventura’s breathy vocals and minimalist production created an instant R&B classic. Her self-titled debut album, produced by Ryan Leslie, perfectly captured mid-2000s cool with its stripped-back electronic sound.

Despite the massive success of her first single, Cassie struggled to follow up with equally impactful hits. Her unique vocal style—soft, almost whispered—divided critics but created a distinctive sound that influenced later artists.

After her music career cooled, she pivoted to modeling and acting while occasionally releasing singles. Her impact on R&B production style remains far greater than her brief chart presence would suggest.

3. The Click Five: Power Pop Perfection

Sporting matching suits and Beatles-inspired haircuts, The Click Five burst onto the scene in 2005 with their infectious hit “Just the Girl.” These Berklee College of Music graduates brought polished musicianship to their power-pop sound, creating radio-friendly earworms.

Their debut album “Greetings from Imrie House” sold over 350,000 copies in the United States. Despite their initial success, the band struggled to maintain momentum after lead singer Eric Dill departed in 2007.

Though they continued with a new vocalist and released two more albums, The Click Five never recaptured their initial popularity. Their brief moment of fame represents the last gasp of major-label power pop before digital streaming transformed the industry.

4. Vanessa Carlton: Beyond “A Thousand Miles”

Everyone recognizes the iconic piano intro to “A Thousand Miles,” Vanessa Carlton’s 2002 breakthrough hit. The classically-trained pianist created one of the decade’s most recognizable melodies, complete with orchestral strings and earnest vocals about longing.

While this song became ubiquitous, many forget Carlton released several critically acclaimed albums throughout the 2000s. Her follow-up singles “Ordinary Day” and “White Houses” showcased her storytelling abilities and piano prowess.

After her initial mainstream success, Carlton evolved into a more independent artist. She continued producing sophisticated piano-driven pop albums with increasingly mature themes, though none achieved the commercial heights of her debut phenomenon.

5. Ryan Cabrera: The Spiky-Haired Heartthrob

With his gravity-defying spiky hair and acoustic guitar, Ryan Cabrera embodied the sensitive male pop star archetype of the mid-2000s. His hit “On the Way Down” reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004, showcasing his raspy vocals and pop-rock sensibilities.

Cabrera’s career benefited from his association with Ashlee Simpson, appearing on her reality show and dating the pop star. His MTV presence and teen heartthrob status helped propel his album “Take It All Away” to platinum status.

Follow-up singles like “True” and “Shine On” maintained modest success, but changing musical tastes left his earnest pop-rock style behind. Cabrera represents a specific moment when acoustic-driven pop dominated radio before electronic influences took over.

6. Blu Cantrell: R&B’s Brief Superstar

Blu Cantrell’s sultry vocals and revenge anthem “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” dominated airwaves in 2001. The innovative track, which sampled The Meters’ “Cardova,” detailed creative ways to spend an unfaithful partner’s money and resonated with scorned lovers everywhere.

Her debut album “So Blu” earned Grammy nominations and established her as a promising R&B talent. Cantrell’s 2003 follow-up “Bittersweet” featured the Sean Paul collaboration “Breathe,” which became a huge hit internationally but underperformed in the US.

After her second album, Cantrell largely retreated from the music industry spotlight. Her distinctive voice and the cultural impact of her revenge anthem secured her place in early 2000s R&B history, even as her career proved surprisingly brief.

7. Teddy Geiger: Teen Pop Prodigy

Teddy Geiger captured teen hearts with the infectious 2006 hit “For You I Will (Confidence).” The talented multi-instrumentalist first gained attention through the VH1 reality competition “In Search of the Partridge Family” before signing a major label deal as a teenager.

Geiger’s debut album “Underage Thinking” reached #8 on the Billboard 200, showcasing impressive songwriting abilities beyond their years. Acting roles in the CBS series “Love Monkey” and the film “The Rocker” alongside Rainn Wilson expanded Geiger’s visibility.

Though their performing career quieted by decade’s end, Geiger transitioned to successful behind-the-scenes songwriting for artists like Shawn Mendes. In 2018, Geiger came out as transgender, now working under the name Teddy<→>.

8. Sean Kingston: Reggae Fusion Pioneer

At just 17 years old, Sean Kingston blended reggae, R&B, and pop on his 2007 smash hit “Beautiful Girls.” The track, which cleverly sampled Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” topped charts worldwide with its catchy chorus and Kingston’s distinctive voice.

Born in Miami and raised in Jamaica, Kingston brought authentic Caribbean influences to mainstream pop. Follow-up hits like “Take You There” and “Fire Burning” maintained his presence on radio through the late 2000s.

A near-fatal jet ski accident in 2011 temporarily halted his career momentum. Though Kingston continued releasing music throughout the 2010s, his commercial peak remained firmly in the late 2000s, when his sunny reggae-pop sound perfectly matched the era’s optimistic mood.

9. Iyaz: Virgin Islands Hitmaker

“Replay” by British Virgin Islands singer Iyaz became inescapable in late 2009, with its catchy chorus about a girl “stuck on replay” in his head. Discovered by Sean Kingston on MySpace, Iyaz quickly capitalized on the digital-first music promotion that defined the decade’s end.

His smooth vocals and Caribbean-influenced pop production created a sound perfect for both radio and the emerging streaming platforms. The follow-up single “Solo” also charted well, suggesting a promising career ahead.

Despite this strong start, Iyaz’s momentum slowed dramatically after his initial hits. His association with the short-lived “island pop” trend that included artists like Kingston and Mohombi meant his sound quickly felt dated as EDM dominated the early 2010s.

10. Keri Hilson: Songwriter Turned Star

Before stepping into the spotlight, Keri Hilson wrote hits for Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and other major artists as part of The Clutch writing team. Her 2009 breakthrough “Knock You Down” featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo showcased her powerful vocals and songwriting prowess.

Hits like “Pretty Girl Rock” demonstrated Hilson’s ability to create empowering anthems with memorable hooks. Despite Grammy nominations and chart success, her career suffered from reported industry feuds and extended delays between projects.

After her 2010 album “No Boys Allowed,” Hilson largely disappeared from the music scene. Fans repeatedly asked #WhereIsKeriHilson on social media during her decade-long absence from releasing music, showing the lasting impact of her brief but significant time as a performer.

11. Lloyd: R&B’s Young Romantic

Lloyd Polite Jr. brought youthful romance to mid-2000s R&B with his tender vocals and heartfelt lyrics. His breakthrough single “Southside” featuring Ashanti introduced his smooth falsetto to audiences in 2004 when he was just 18 years old.

As part of Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. Records, Lloyd developed a sound that balanced contemporary production with classic R&B sensibilities. His 2007 hit “You” featuring Lil Wayne showcased his maturing artistry and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Though he continued releasing music throughout the 2010s, including the hit “Bedrock” as part of Young Money, Lloyd never quite achieved the solo superstardom his talent suggested. His sweet, unassuming persona stood in contrast to the more aggressive male R&B of the late 2000s.

12. Shontelle: Barbadian Pop Sensation

Before Rihanna became Barbados’ biggest musical export, Shontelle Layne was building her own path to stardom. Her 2009 hit “T-Shirt” with its relatable lyrics about wearing an ex’s shirt after a breakup connected with heartbroken listeners worldwide.

Shontelle’s biggest success came with “Impossible,” an emotional ballad that showcased her vocal range and later became a hit again when covered by X Factor contestant James Arthur. Despite these charting singles and her sophomore album “No Gravity,” Shontelle struggled to establish a distinctive identity in the crowded pop landscape.

A military academy graduate and cousin to fellow Barbadian singer Rihanna, Shontelle eventually transitioned to songwriting for other artists. Her brief moment in the spotlight represents the challenges facing even talented artists in the rapidly changing music industry of the late 2000s.

13. Kevin Rudolf: Rock-Rap Crossover King

“Let It Rock” featuring Lil Wayne exploded onto radio in 2008, introducing Kevin Rudolf’s unique blend of rock guitars, pop hooks, and hip-hop production. The track’s aggressive energy and genre-blending approach perfectly captured the cross-pollination happening in late 2000s popular music.

Signed to Cash Money Records (primarily a hip-hop label), Rudolf stood out with his guitar skills and rock sensibilities. Follow-up singles like “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)” and “Champions” found success on soundtracks and sports programming.

Though Rudolf released multiple albums, he never quite matched the massive impact of his breakthrough hit. He later focused on behind-the-scenes work, producing and writing for artists like Selena Gomez and Leona Lewis while his own performing career faded from public view.

14. Brooke Hogan: Wrestling Royalty Turned Pop Star

As the daughter of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, Brooke Hogan leveraged her family fame and reality TV exposure into a music career. Her 2006 single “About Us” featuring Paul Wall reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing her pop-R&B sound to audiences beyond wrestling fans.

The VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best” and its spin-off “Brooke Knows Best” kept her in the public eye, even as her music received mixed critical reception. Her debut album “Undiscovered” showcased surprisingly solid vocals that contradicted skeptics who dismissed her as merely a celebrity daughter.

Subsequent musical releases failed to match even the moderate success of her debut. Hogan eventually returned to the wrestling world, appearing in TNA Wrestling while her pop star ambitions faded into early 2000s nostalgia.

Forgotten Stars: 14 Music Icons from the 2000s You Might Not Remember