The B2K MIllennium Tour Starter Kit
In December of 2018, B2K gave Black Millennials the ultimate Christmas present when the quartet announced that they were reuniting and embarking on a tour with fellow early 2000s acts Mario, Pretty Ricky, Lloyd, Bobby Valentino, Ying Yang Twins, and Chingy. The final billing of the 2019 Millennium Tour is what you would get if you took the 2000-2005 AJ and Free era of 106 and Park on the road. For those of you unfamiliar with 106 and Park, familiarize yourself with the BET music video show that launched the careers of many of your favorite artists.
As the pandemonium comes to a city near you, here is an official 2019 Millennium Tour Starter Kit to help you look your absolute best as you scream, “she’s fine or five two” over Instagram live. If that reference was lost upon you, please look up Lloyd’s 2007 single “You”. Enjoy:
Shoes
Nike Air Force 1s
Nike’s Air Force 1 sneakers are so important to the hip-hop community, St. Louis rapper Nelly made an entire song about them sans a brand endorsement. Available in “low”, “mid”, and “high” ankle lengths in various colors, the durable presidential sneakers are versatile and stylish enough for you to purchase two “purrs” to stomp in.
Nike SB DUNKS
A color for every single outfit.
Timberland Boots
“Manolo Blahnik Timbs, Aviator lens”
Mary J. Blige Dancery Boots
The Millennium Tour is essentially a family reunion, so walk in like the out-of-town bougie auntie you were born to be.
Those weird cork/sawdust platform wedges
Dada Supreme Spinner 1’s
DaDa’s signature sneaker for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star guard Latrell Sprewell was a groundbreaking combination of two “urban” indulgences; sneakers and rims.
In the early and mid-2000s, just about every music video featured cars with spinning rims. Rap group Three 6 Mafia dedicated their song, “Ridin’ Spinners” to the chrome wheel jewelry. If the Supreme Spinners’ came out today, DaDa would certainly be “cancelled” or at least heavily scrutinized given the stereotypical racial undertones of the shoe. Regardless of their “problematic” nature, the DaDa Supreme Spinners’ are symbolic of this period and forever cemented in Black culture history.
Denim
The rule for men’s jeans in the 2000s was to take whatever your actual waist size measured at and add an additional 6 inches.
Jean Shorts
The sizing rule for jeans also applied to jean shorts, or “jorts” as they are not so affectionately called. Another rule for jean shorts: only an inch of the ankle is allowed to show, nothing more.
Jerseys
The rule: Look like you’re on a team.
Jersey dresses
The rule: Look like you’re the girlfriend of somebody on the team.
Crop top/Low Riding Jeans/Super Short Denim Skirts
Baby Phat
Air Brushed Tops
Everything Destiny’s Child and Solange are wearing in this 106 & Park appearance
White/Tall Tee
Like the rules for jeans, a similar rule applied to white/tall tees; find a shirt size that fits then go up an additional three sizes.
Matching Track/Velour Sweatsuits
Rule 1: Look like you’re ready to workout.
Rule 2: Everything must match.
Rule 3: The thicker the velour, the better. Fashion knows no temperature.
Hair
Cornrows
Classic ‘fro
The Kelly Rowland/Mary J Blige/Eve short red hair
Jennifer Freeman’s crinkle curls and Meagan Good’s flat iron press in You Got Served
Lanisha Cole and Lauren London’s hair in Pharrell’s “Frontin’” video
The J Boog S-Curl
Yes, lots of chemicals and hair product.
Du Rags and Fitted Caps
Sweatbands for non-athletic use
Eyebrow slits
Decorate your eyebrows because why not?
Outrageously big chains
“Does your chain hang low?
Does it wobble to da flow?
Does it shine in the light?
Is it platinum, is it gold?
Could you throw it over ya shoulder?
If ya hot, it make ya cold
Does your chain hang low?”
Dance Moves
*Remember that your knees are not what they used to be. So please exercise these moves with caution.
The Harlem Shake
The Wobble
The Chickenhead
Krump
The Heel-Toe
“Pop, Lock & Drop It"
Flap Your Wings
Lean wit’ it rock wit’ it
Every move in Ciara’s “Goodies” video
This move from Usher’s “Yeah” video
The J Boog from You Got Served
A Coordinated Dancehall routine with your friends
The duet dance choreography from Omarion’s “Touch” video
Slide into the concert the way Usher did in the “U Don’t Have to Call” video
Suggested Pre-Game Playlist
B2K- “Gots ta Be”, “Bump, Bump, Bump”
Omarion- “Touch”, “Entourage”
Mario-”Just a Friend 2002”, “Let Me Love You”
Pretty Ricky- “On the Hotline”, “Grind with Me”
Lloyd- ”You”, “Get It Shawty”
Bobby Valentino- “Tell Me”, “Slow Down”
Ying Yang Twins- “Say I Yi Yi”, “Georgia Dome”
Chingy-”Right Thurr”, “One Call Away”