MTV Parties Like It’s 1999 with Nostalgic FLASHBACK FRIDAY Special, June 26

It’s time for viewers to dig through their closets for their favourite pair of low-rise jeans and best Von Dutch hat because ‘90s nostalgia has once again struck a chord, as witnessed by the record-breaking $6 million sale of Kurt Cobain’s guitar from Nirvana’s rare acoustic MTV UNPLUGGED performance. In celebration, MTV is taking a look back at the late ‘90s and early 2000s with a FLASHBACK FRIDAY special, Friday, June 26 beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

An homage to MTV’s iconic music programming, the FLASHBACK FRIDAY special revives some of the network’s music notable titles, transporting viewers to a time when music thrived on television. Kicking off the jam-packed event is DIARY: P!NK at 8 p.m. ET, which offers an intimate look into the early life of the acclaimed musician. Music junkies left craving more can then enjoy a star-studded lineup of legendary MTV UNPLUGGED specials, including vintage performances by Pearl Jam (8:30 p.m. ET) and Nirvana (9 p.m. ET), as well as a redemption performance by Oasis’ Liam Gallagher (10 p.m. ET). Finally, viewers can relive the 1999 and 2000 MTV Video Music Awards back-to-back beginning at 11 p.m. ET. In celebration, below are some of the most memorable moments from the 1999 VMAs.

1. Following the numerous sexual assaults that took place at Woodstock ’99, the Beastie Boys’ Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz leveraged his acceptance speech to urge artists and promoters to advocate for the increased protection of women at music festivals.
2. Lil Kim shocked the world with her purple pasties, which received the original double tap from Diana Ross.
3. Britney Spears performed her debut single “…Baby One More Time”.
4. Drag queens paid tribute to Madonna, the most-nominated artist in VMA history at the time, by performing a medley of her hits.
5. Long before Kanye West crashed the MTV VMAs stage, journalist John Del Signore paved the way by cutting off the Backstreet Boys’ acceptance speech to say “Wake up at three.”
6. Presenting the VMA for Best Rap Video, Will Smith introduced the mourning mothers of Tupac and Biggie, Afeni Shakur and Voletta Wallace.
7. Prince. Mic drop.