History's Best Selling Music of 1999

Across the iconic 1990s, 1999 saw a swell surge of radical 90s attitude and millennium anticipation in the world of music! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like The Slim Shady LP and Californication, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Eminem and Red Hot Chili Peppers proved their mettle with Supernatural, delivering craftsmanship that flew off store shelves and cemented lifelong fandoms. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. The Slim Shady LP

   Released in 1999 by Eminem, Dr. Dre, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records

   On February 23, 1999, the music world was irrevocably shaken by the release of *The Slim Shady LP*. This wasn't just another rap album; it was the major-label debut of a controversial and prodigiously talented artist from Detroit named Eminem. Serving as the formal introduction of his violent, nihilistic, and darkly comedic alter ego, Slim Shady, the album was a commercial and critical firestorm, laying the groundwork for one of the most successful and polarizing careers in the history of modern music. Its release on this date marks the precise moment a cultural phenomenon was unleashed upon an unsuspecting public.

2. Californication

   Released in 1999 by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Warner Bros. Records

   Released on June 8, 1999, "Californication" was a monumental comeback album for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The date marked a turning point for the band, which had been struggling with lineup changes and creative direction. The highly anticipated return of guitarist John Frusciante, who had left the band in 1992, generated immense excitement. This reunion revitalized the band's chemistry, leading to a work that not only re-established them as superstars but also defined the sound of alternative rock at the turn of the millennium. The album's release was a major event in the music world, signaling a new, more mature, and commercially successful era for the Chili Peppers.

3. Supernatural

   Released in 1999 by Santana, Arista Records

   On June 15, 1999, the music world witnessed one of the most astonishing comebacks in history with the release of Santana's seventeenth studio album, "Supernatural." After years of waning commercial success, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana was at a crossroads. This album, conceived by Arista Records head Clive Davis, was a deliberate effort to reintroduce Santana's iconic guitar work to a new, younger audience by pairing him with contemporary stars. The release on this date marked not just a new album, but the beginning of a global phenomenon that would dominate the charts, sweep the Grammy Awards, and redefine the career of a rock and roll icon.

4. Significant Other

   Released in 1999 by Limp Bizkit, Flip Records, Interscope Records

   On June 22, 1999, the landscape of mainstream rock music was seismically altered with the release of Limp Bizkit's second studio album, "Significant Other." Dropping at the absolute zenith of the nu-metal movement, the album captured the zeitgeist of turn-of-the-millennium adolescent angst and aggression. It perfectly blended Fred Durst's rap-rock delivery with Wes Borland's innovative guitar work, creating a sound that was both commercially potent and critically debated. The release date marked a pivotal moment, cementing Limp Bizkit's status as superstars and pushing the nu-metal genre from the underground into constant rotation on radio and MTV, defining the soundtrack for a generation of disaffected youth.

5. Bocanada

   Released in 1999 by Gustavo Cerati, BMG Argentina

   Released on June 28, 1999, Gustavo Cerati's "Bocanada" marked a pivotal moment in Latin American music. Arriving two years after the dissolution of his legendary band, Soda Stereo, the album was Cerati's second solo effort but widely considered his true solo debut, defining the artistic direction he would pursue for the rest of his career. The album was launched with great anticipation, as fans and critics eagerly awaited the next move from one of rock en español's most revered figures. "Bocanada" immediately distinguished itself from his past work, showcasing a profound evolution in sound and a deeply personal, introspective approach that would set a new benchmark for artistry in the genre.

6. Issues

   Released in 1999 by Korn, Immortal Records, Epic Records

   On November 16, 1999, the landscape of mainstream rock was shaken to its core with the release of Korn's fourth studio album, "Issues." Released at the absolute zenith of the nu-metal movement, the album was one of the most anticipated musical events of the year. In a unique move, Korn held a contest via MTV for fans to design the album cover, resulting in four different winning designs being used for the release. "Issues" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, famously keeping highly anticipated albums by Dr. Dre ("2001") and Celine Dion ("All the Way... A Decade of Song") from the top spot, a testament to the band's immense popularity and the cultural dominance of the genre they pioneered.