The Millennium Tour is an iconic R&B and hip hop tour featuring some of the biggest stars from the late 90s and early 2000s. The tour originally ran from 2010 to 2012 and was relaunched in 2018 due to popular demand. Some of the most popular acts featured on the tour over the years include Omarion, B2K, Mario, Lloyd, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins, Chingy, Bobby V and more. Fans are eagerly anticipating who the headliner will be for the next leg of the tour. There has been lots of speculation, but no official announcement yet. In this article, we’ll take a look at the likely options for the next Millennium Tour headliner based on past lineups, current popularity, and more.
Omarion
One of the strongest contenders for the Millennium Tour headliner spot is R&B singer Omarion. He was the headliner for the first Millennium Tour in 2010 and has made appearances during other legs of the reboot tour as well. As the former lead singer of influential boy band B2K, Omarion has plenty of name recognition and nostalgia appeal for Millennium Tour crowds. Some key facts about Omarion:
- First rose to fame in 2000s as lead singer of B2K
- B2K was one of the most successful boy bands of the era, selling over 10 million records
- Launched successful solo career after B2K disbanded in 2004
- Scored multiple solo hits like “O,” “Ice Box,” and “Post To Be”
- Released 5 solo studio albums to date
- Judge on reality show America’s Best Dance Crew
- Appeared on Millennium Tour consistently since the beginning
With his combination of past hits and continued relevance, Omarion would be a smart choice as headliner. Fans would undoubtedly be excited to see him as the main event.
Past Headliner
As the headliner for the first ever Millennium Tour, Omarion has the proven track record to carry the weight of being the headlining act. He helped launch the tour as a success back in 2010, showing he has the draw and catalogue to put on an impressive headlining show.
Popularity and Nostalgia
Even all these years later, Omarion remains a big name in R&B and hip hop. His days with B2K evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for many fans. Songs like “Bump Bump Bump” and “Uh Huh” are true throwbacks. And Omarion has stayed busy and relevant with new music and TV appearances. So audiences both old and new would be excited to see him headline.
Recent Success
Despite his history as an 2000s star, Omarion’s career is still going strong. He just released his latest album The Kinection in 2020. It reached #2 on the Independent Albums chart and #11 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. And he’s appeared on popular shows like Wild ‘N Out, growing his fanbase. So Omarion has plenty of new material and exposure to draw from for a Millennium Tour set.
Bow Wow
Another seasoned vet of the Millennium Tour that could headline is rapper Bow Wow. With an extensive discography and filmography to his name, Bow Wow is a major force of 2000s hip hop nostalgia. Some key facts about Bow Wow:
- Broke out as a child rap star with single “Beware of the Dog” in 2000
- Released platinum-selling albums like Beware of Dog and Doggy Bag
- Appeared in hit films like Like Mike and Roll Bounce
- Transitioned to successful adult career, hosting BET’s 106 & Park
- Has released 9 studio albums total
- Competed on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars
- Performed on past Millennium Tours
Bow Wow is truly a product of the millennium era. And he remains actively engaged in music and entertainment today. He could bring some serious throwback flavor as the Millennium Tour headliner.
Child Star to Adult Star Power
Bow Wow has the rare career trajectory of huge success as both a kid and adult performer. From his early days as Lil Bow Wow to his grown up stardom, he has decades of hits to choose from for a headlining set. Songs like “Basketball,” “Let Me Hold You,” and “Like You” keep Bow Wow relevant across generations.
Consistent Tour Presence
While not the original headliner like Omarion, Bow Wow has remained a reliable presence on the Millennium Tour stages. He’s poised to take the reins when it comes time to pass the headliner torch. And fans will feel comfortable with Bow Wow as the top act after seeing him as a supporting player for so long.
Ashanti
The lone female contender for the Millennium Tour headline spot is R&B songstress Ashanti. Alongside her male peers, Ashanti dominated the charts in the early 2000s with a string of unforgettable hits. Some key facts on Ashanti:
- Broke out with her self-titled debut album Ashanti in 2002
- Achieved a rare feat by having simultaneous #1 album and single
- Her single “Foolish” spent 10 weeks atop the Billboard charts
- Landed numerous features on rap/hip hop tracks
- Appeared in films such as Coach Carter and John Tucker Must Die
- Earned a Grammy, AMAs, and Soul Train awards
- Released 6 studio albums total
- Performed sporadically on the Millennium Tour
While not touring as consistently as Omarion or Bow Wow, Ashanti would make history as the Millennium Tour’s first female headliner. And her credentials as one of the most successful R&B artists of the 2000s are undeniable.
Early 2000s Queen of R&B
During her peak era, hardly anyone could touch Ashanti’s success. She had the entire R&B game on lock, earning her a reputation as an R&B queen. Her quintessential songs like “Foolish,” “Rock wit U,” and “Rain on Me” helped her rule the radio and charts. As a headliner, Ashanti would remind everyone of her immeasurable talent.
Chart Dominance and Accolades
Beyond just being popular, Ashanti has the accolades and stats to back up her stardom. Between her string of #1 singles, mutli-platinum certifications, and awards recognition, she was a defining force of 2000s R&B. Her era-defining success makes her more than qualified to headline the defining tour of that era.
Female Representation
As the sole female contender, Ashanti would bring some much needed representation to the traditionally male-dominated Millennium Tour lineup. Young fans who may be unfamiliar with her would get the chance to discover an R&B icon. And devoted fans from her heyday would undoubtedly celebrate her as a headliner.
Conclusion
Based on their proven success and appeal, Omarion, Bow Wow, and Ashanti make the most sense as potential headliners for the next leg of the Millennium Tour. Each of them were among the most popular and influential artists of their time. They’ve also maintained connection to fans through new projects and touring over the years. Crowds would have an amazing time singing along to their nostalgic hits as well as enjoying their new music. Only time will tell who the organizers ultimately choose to headline this epic blast from the past. But one thing’s for sure – the next Millennium Tour is going to be one for the history books no matter who tops the bill. It will bring back all the best memories of an unforgettable musical era.
Comparison of Potential Headliners
Artists | #1 Singles | Total Album Sales | Awards Won | Recent Releases |
---|---|---|---|---|
Omarion | 4 | 10 million (with B2K) | Soul Train Award | The Kinection (2020) |
Bow Wow | 3 | 10 million | BET Award | Greenlight 6 (2022) |
Ashanti | 8 | 15 million | Grammy, AMAs, Soul Train Awards | Ashanti’s Christmas (2022) |
Key Takeaways:
- Ashanti leads in most #1 singles and total album sales
- Ashanti has won the most awards of the three artists
- All three have released new music within the past few years
- Bow Wow and Omarion have comparable overall sales between solo work and groups
- Omarion has been part of the Millennium Tour the longest as an original headliner
Looking at their stats side-by-side, Ashanti edges out with the most proven commercial success and critical accolades. This suggests she could be poised to headline, especially given her vocal talent as a live performer. However, Omarion’s history with the tour makes him a safe choice as well. And Bow Wow falls somewhat in the middle but with plenty of name recognition. All three would do an amazing job as the headliner for the Millennium Tour’s next chapter.