The ’90s crowned pop royalty faster than you could rewind a cassette, and some of those crowns… well, they slipped right off and vanished into the cosmic lost-and-found.
One minute Vanilla Ice was blasting from every boombox on the planet, then (boom!) gone like a backstage smoke machine. Natalie Imbruglia broke hearts with a single song that lived on every playlist, every breakup, every radio dial… then drifted into the soft mist of “Hey, whatever happened to her?” And BBMak? They harmonized their way into our souls, then took a graceful bow straight into pop-culture oblivion.
Click through and rediscover the stars who once ruled our headphones and then performed the ultimate disappearing act. The stories are interesting, the nostalgia is delicious, and the glow of the ’90s shines just as bright, whether the stars stayed, strayed, or simply floated off the map.
1
Eiffel 65
The Italian trio exploded onto the global stage with 1999’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee),” a futuristic earworm that captured the Y2K mood. Their later work failed to cross over, leading to breakups and reunions. Today, they sporadically tour Europe’s electronic nostalgia scene.
2
Jennifer Love Hewitt (as a singer)
Before becoming a TV and film star, Jennifer Love Hewitt released multiple albums in the ’90s, scoring modest success in Japan. As acting roles multiplied, her music career quietly ended. She now focuses almost entirely on screen work.
3
All Saints
All Saints dominated UK charts with sleek hits like “Never Ever” and “Pure Shores.” Internal tensions and shifting pop trends led to breakup and reunion cycles. They still release music sporadically, though far from their chart-topping heyday.
4
Crazy Town
“Butterfly” turned Crazy Town into stars, but internal struggles, addiction, and inconsistent follow-ups derailed the band. Members have drifted in and out of the project, with little mainstream visibility.
5
B*Witched
“C’est La Vie” put the group on top of UK charts in 1998, but their second album underperformed, and they were eventually dropped. They’ve reunited for nostalgia tours and TV appearances.
6
Aqua
With “Barbie Girl,” Aqua became global pop royalty and tabloid fodder. Their brightly colored brand of Europop faded in the early 2000s, though they continue to release music and tour, especially across Europe.
7
Macy Gray
Her raspy, unmistakable vocals powered the 1999 hit “I Try,” but mainstream radio struggled to place her afterward. Gray still records and tours, maintaining a cult following.
8
BBMak
“Back Here” became a beloved hit in 1999, showcasing harmonies over typical boy-band flash. But momentum faded quickly, and the group disbanded. They reunited in 2018, performing for nostalgic fans.
9
Sisqó
“The Thong Song” made Sisqó a household name, but his solo career never found the same momentum. He’s since reunited with Dru Hill and appears occasionally on reality TV.
10
Duncan Sheik
“Barely Breathing” defined mid-’90s pop-rock, but Sheik’s later records slipped under the radar. He reinvented himself as an acclaimed Broadway composer, earning Tony Awards for Spring Awakening.
11
Lou Bega
“Mambo No. 5” made Lou Bega a household name in 1999, reviving big-band brass for the TRL era. The single dominated charts, but his attempts to follow it up never stuck. He still performs internationally, mostly on retro festival circuits.
12
Chumbawamba
Known almost exclusively for 1997’s “Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba became a pop-cultural punchline despite their deep roots in political activism. They disbanded in 2012, with members pursuing art, activism, and quieter creative projects.
13
Jennifer Paige
Her 1998 smash “Crush” became a global phenomenon, but subsequent singles struggled to chart. Paige continued releasing music independently and performs modestly, far from the mainstream that once embraced her.
14
Len
“Steal My Sunshine” turned the Canadian duo into accidental pop stars in 1999. Unable to follow its massive success, they retreated from the spotlight. The group now reunites occasionally but lives largely out of public view.
15
Mark Morrison
1996’s “Return of the Mack” remains a hip-hop and R&B classic, but Morrison’s career collapsed under repeated legal troubles. He continues to release music independently, though far from his brief moment as a global star.
16
Tal Bachman
“She’s So High” became ubiquitous in 1999, but Bachman never landed another comparable hit. He later stepped back from pop music, occasionally returning for small performances and media appearances.
17
Meredith Brooks
“B*tch” became a boundary-pushing anthem in 1997, but Brooks struggled to escape the shadow of her debut hit. She faded from mainstream rotation and now focuses on songwriting and music education.
18
Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice skyrocketed to global fame with 1990’s “Ice Ice Baby". But accusations of inauthenticity and a string of disappointing follow-ups tanked his credibility. Today, he’s reinvented himself as a home-renovation host and occasional nostalgia-tour act.
19
Natalie Imbruglia
Her hit “Torn” became an instant classic, earning Grammy nods and radio ubiquity. But subsequent albums couldn’t match its impact. Imbruglia shifted toward acting and occasional music releases, resurfacing periodically but never reclaiming her late-’90s dominance.
20
Hanson
With “MMMBop,” Hanson became one of the most recognizable faces of ’90s pop. As trends changed, they slipped from the mainstream but built a loyal indie following. Today, the brothers run their own label and still tour, just far from the mass hysteria.
