In 1996, when The Ghost Town DJ’s dropped “My Boo,” I was six inches shorter than the average 8th grader, with home-hemmed jeans, Stussy tee’s down to my knees, bleached blond hair and bad acne. I wish I could say that I was up on Jay, UGK, and DJ Shadow, copping cassettes and playing them for friends, but in reality, I was forcing myself through shitty Top 40 mixshows, trying to memorize the Dru Hill, Monica and Coolio songs they’d play at school dances. I figured If I knew the songs in advance, then it would be easier to step up and ask girls to dance.

Rejection is tough and I saw my share of it, but the one song I never danced alone to was “My Boo.” As soon as it came on I’d drop the search and give in to the beat. Then, by some stroke of “Weird Science” like luck, some girl would come grind on me and I’d spend the second half of the song sticking my ass out away from her, smiling like the last day of school, with summer stretched out like a diving board at my feet.

Now without further ado, Yours Truly’s “My Boo” marathon, in order of awesome-ness

My Boo – The OG Version

H.A.T.E.U. – Mariah Carey, Gucci Mane and Big Boi

My Beau – Daedelus

My Boo – American Dream Team

And if you’re into 90′s pool party videos complete with car-wash scenes, stone washed jeans and roller-skates than