One In A Million: 90s R&B To Bump On Valentine's Day

Back in the day there was Elvis, and Elvis was sexually provocative. Then there was The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. Then there was Michael Jackson, and what he was doing was real sexual. Then there was the 90s, when music and culture became seriously risqué, comparatively speaking. The cultural landscape was a hot bed for hip hop and R&B music to thrive, paving the way for artists like Aaliyah, R. Kelly, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, and so many more to skyrocket into prominence with their X-rated vibes. 

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're diving into the decade that brought us "One In A Million" and "Bump n Grind." Bill was president, the internet was brand spankin' new, and there were super-sexy R&B tracks making their way into the ears of millions.

 We'll kick this off with the namesake of our list. Aaliyah passed away in 2001 at the age of 22, far too early by any measure. Her absence is still felt in the music community, and while we wish she could have continued to live and release great music, we're thankful for the gems that she left behind.

"One In A Million" came out in 1996 and marked Aaliyah's third trip to #1 on the R&B charts. The album of the same title is now certified platinum because of incredibly tasteful love ballads like this one.

This 1992 single by TLC was their first #1 track on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Along with a music video that'll fulfill everyone's daily intake of 90s vibes, the visuals showcase the R&B trip having a dorm-room slumber party. The song may not feature Left Eye, but it has plenty of V-Day feels for you and yours.

As if Ginuwine's slippery, smooth R&B croon atop a slow jam wasn't enough, Timbaland comes in at the end and just cranks everybody's day up to 11. Even if you never want to listen to Ginuwine ever in your life, you should hit the play button, skip to the three-minute mark, and let your body do whatever feels natural.

Maybe you don't have a Valentine. It happens. Relationships can get crazy, and Lauryn Hill made a song about that one. As long as you love yourself, you should give this a spin on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Lauryn Hill, you a genius for this one.

Aaliyah's ex-husband R. Kelly knows a thing or two about making sexy R&B songs. Love him or hate him, the guy has released a lot of music, and some of it is actually pretty awesome. "Bump N Grind" on this Valentine's Day...as if you weren't going to anyways.

Title says it all on this one, fellas. Make your move, it's about that time...

The second single from Dru Hill's debut album really propelled them into the eyes of the mainstream. "In My Bed" was released in December of 1996, just a week after Aaliyah's "One In A Million." What a time to be alive...

We're giving this one to the 90s, but you can really thank the 80s for this buttery smoothness. Mary J. Blige nicely adopts the Mary Jane Girls track, putting her own little spin on the track and recreating the melodic magic for a new generation.

Toni Braxton, you beautiful soul. Her 1996 single "You're Makin Me High" is so sexy it'll make you blush. 

"Oooh I get so high
When I'm around you baby
I can touch the sky
You make my temperature rise
You're makin me high" 

D'Angelo - "Brown Sugar"

D'Angelo can still rock a crowd, but back in the 90s he was a total sex symbol. The political nature of Black Messiah was killer, but for Valentine's Day you ought to throw one back to his debut album Brown Sugar. The title track should treat you well.