Britney Spears in 1999
Photo: Joey Terrill/ WireImage

The pressure had been building up behind the scenes for longer than most music fans realized. But when the teen-pop explosion burst onto the charts in early 1999, it felt like the music world had been blindsided overnight by a flood of squeaky-clean acts who would dominate the charts for years to come.

And in some cases, those ripples are still being felt today. It's hard to believe it now, but over the course of a few months between late 1998 and early 1999, radio and MTV were inundated with the debuts and breakthroughs from Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, 'NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and countless other boy bands and teen singers who would rule the charts well into the 2000s, and in the cases of Britney and Christina, continue to lord over them today.

Of course, that bum-rush of teen acts and copycat bands also produced a bunch of groups that were barely a blip on the screen then or now (Five, Natural, 3Deep, A1, Another Level, C-Note, BBMak or Dream Street anyone?), not to mention some other pop flashes in the pan, some of whom survived and some of whom are named Lou Bega.

Here are what some of the survivors and also-rans are up to:

Lou Bega
Why you know that name: The German-born Latin music revivalist had a hit with a summer 1999 remake of the 1952 instrumental "Mambo No. 5," to which he added an indelible string of women's names (shout-outs to Angela, Pamela, Monica and Jessica). The song hit #1 across the globe ... and then Bega was hardly ever heard from again.

Len
Why you know the name: This Canadian one-hit-wonder, brother-sister act graduated from its early punk roots to a fizzy pop sound on You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, featuring the bop-tastic hit "Steal My Sunshine." But the duo's next LP wasn't released outside Canada, and they've been talking up their upcoming album for several years now.

Sixpence None the Richer
Why you know the name: The Christian group hit #1 on the pop charts a year after its 1997 self-titled album was released when "Kiss Me" was used on "Dawson's Creek" and in the teen flick "She's All That." The group followed it with a cover of the "There She Goes," the legendary one-off hit by the La's, which was added to the 1999 re-release of Sixpence's album. The band broke up in 2004, and singer Leigh Nash went solo, later forming an ill-named side project called Fauxliage. And then the group got back together in 2008 to release a new EP, a Christmas album and tour the U.S. and Europe.

Orgy
Why you know the name: The synth-rock band signed to Korn's Elementree Records, released Candyass in 1998 and broke through with a grim cover of New Order's "Blue Monday." Orgy released another album that fizzled, toured on the Family Values outing, put out their third album on their own label and have been threatening to make another album for several years.

Tal Bachman
Why you know the name: The Canadian singer/songwriter released the top-10 hit "She's So High" from his self-titled debut, produced by Metallica homie Bob Rock. The son of Randy Bachman, lead guitarist/singer of 1970s rockers the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, released another album in 2006 that failed to chart in the U.S. Most recently, he can be seen in the Bill Maher documentary "Religulous," talking about his break with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Smash Mouth
Why you know the name: These chilled-out San Jose, California, pop rockers had a minor hit in 1997 with "Walkin' on the Sun," but busted it major in 1999 with their signature tune, "All Star," from their Astro Lounge album. The bouncy pop song made it into a string of movies ("Shrek," "Rat Race" and "Mystery Men") and then things got kinda quiet. They released another album, shelved one after that, and despite the departure of most of their members, they're now reportedly working on a new album, even as singer Steve Harwell is pulling a Hootie and prepping his solo country debut.

Everlast
Why you know the name: In 1998, the former lead growler for early '90s Irish-American rap crew House of Pain ("Jump Around") released his second solo album, Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, which mixed hip-hop beats and rhymes with blues and acoustic guitars, spawning the inescapable ballad "What It's Like." His similar-sounding 2000 follow-up, Eat at Whitey's, didn't catch on, nor did a more country-tinged 2004 album, White Trash Beautiful, and his recently released Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford had not caught fire at press time.

The New Radicals
Why you know the name: Talk about a one-hit wonder. This Los Angeles band blew up with the Marilyn Manson/ Courtney Love-baiting power-pop hit "You Get What You Give" in early 1999 from the group's only album, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. Reclusive leader and main songwriter Gregg Alexander broke the group up less than a year after the album's release and has quietly written songs for other artists since, including the 2002 Grammy-winning "The Game of Love" for Santana.

LFO
Why you know the name: The Lyte Funky Ones hit the jackpot on their self-titled debut with the 1999 song "Summer Girls," but faded soon after. Singer Rich Cronin appeared on VH1's "Mission: Man Band," and former hardware store clerk Devin Lima is releasing his rock-edged debut with his new band, Cadbury Diesel, in July 2008.

98 Degrees
Why you know the name: Featuring future "Newlyweds" star Nick Lachey, they debuted in 1997 but, like many boy bands of the era, hit their groove in 1999 with hits including "I Do (Cherish You)" and "The Hardest Thing" from 98 Degrees and Rising. After one more album, the guys went their separate ways in 2002, with Lachey going on to marry and divorce Jessica Simpson and release two solo albums, with another one due in 2009. The group has continued to discuss a comeback, but no plans have been announced yet.

And now, some names you might still recognize:

Jessica Simpson
Why you know the name: Like Katy Perry, Simpson started out in the Christian pop world, but crossed over into teen pop with her 1999 debut, Sweet Kisses, which spawned the hits "I Wanna Love You Forever" and "I Think I'm in Love With You." Less successful than Christina or Britney, Simpson released two more albums, married Lachey, appeared on "Newlyweds," divorced Lachey and moved on to roles in a series of flop movies such as "Employee of the Month" and "Blonde Ambition." After her 2006 pop album, A Public Affair, failed to catch fire, Simpson switched genres and had a top-20 hit in 2008 with her debut country single, "Come on Over."

Eminem
Why you know the name: It's hard to think of a time when Marshall Mathers wasn't in our lives, but the Detroit rapper burst onto the scene in 1999 with his major-label debut, The Slim Shady LP, which spawned the hits "My Name Is," "Guilty Conscience" and "Role Model." Em went on to world domination and a string of three huge albums before taking a hiatus in 2005 following a stint in rehab for a dependency on sleeping medication. He's laid low for several years, but is plotting his return in 2009 with an album called Relapse.

Kid Rock
Why you know the name: Fellow Detroit rapper Rock had been kicking around the industry for years, releasing albums on small labels, when he smashed the big time in 1998 with Devil Without a Cause. After a slow start, the disc blew up and became one of the best-selling rap albums of all time (11 million copies) thanks to hits — and "TRL" favorites — like "Bawitdaba," "Cowboy" and "I Am the Bullgod." Rock has continued to spin off hits with his signature country rock/hip-hop sound, most recently defying the odds (and iTunes) with the 2 million-selling Rock N Roll Jesus.

Getting pumped about the Britney Spears documentary? Share your thoughts by uploading a video to YouRHere.MTV.com, or sound off in the comments section below. "For the Record" airs Sunday, November 30, at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.

• The Class Of '99: Britney, 'NSYNC, More

• Britney Spears
• *NSYNC
• Eminem
• Jessica Simpson
• Kid Rock

The "Steal My Sunshine" hitmakers of Len are hoping to return to U.S. charts with a cover of the 1981 Kim Wilde hit "Kids In America," which will be the lead song off the upcoming soundtrack to "Digimon: The Movie."

Len's management told MTV News that the group is currently in an L.A. studio recording the track for the big-screen version of the "Digimon" animated series, which is due in theaters on October 6. The track should surface sometime in September.

Len's first international hit, "Steal My Sunshine," originated on the "Go" soundtrack, which led to the band's deal with The WORK Group and the release of the album "You Can't Stop The Bum Rush" in the U.S. last year. The group hopes the upcoming soundtrack release will bring the same fortune, as the band's deal fell apart last month in the wake of The WORK Group being folded into Sony.

Meanwhile, promoters for the Calgary Stampede got more heat than they bargained for earlier this month when they booked Len for an open-air performance on the fairgrounds. The hybrid hip-hop act, told that they'd be fined $500 for every obscenity uttered, cheerfully let loose with a steady stream of expletives, causing many parents to flee the area with their children in tow. Stampede officials subsequently cut the show short.

According to Len's management, the group was being well paid for its efforts and could afford to lose a few dollars. (The fines apparently maxed out at $2,000.) The attention paid off, with reviews of the show pointing out that Len has gotten over any previous performance anxieties to turn out a strong show.

Once the recording wraps on "Kids," the band, which was formed in Toronto, intends to reconvene at its own Vancouver recording studio to work on a new album, which management reports is now 40% done. The group expects to have it wrapped up by Christmas and released next spring.

For a full-length interview with Len, check out the MTV News Online feature "Len: Let The Sunshine In."

• Len

After postponing plans for a U.S. outing back in July, the Canadian funboys (and girl) of Len will head south of the border in October for a month-long tour, scheduled to start in Chicago.

• 10/7 - Chicago, IL @ The Metro
• 10/8 - Birmingham, AL @ Five Points
• 10/9 - Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club
• 10/11 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 10/12 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
• 10/13 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
• 10/15 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
• 10/17 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest
• 10/18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Mojeska
• 10/19 - Denver, @ Bluebird Theater
• 10/21 - Salt Lake City @ DV8
• 10/22 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux
• 10/24 - Seattle, WA @ DV8
• 10/25 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
• 10/27 - Sacramento, CA @ 815 L
• 10/28 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's (late show)
• 10/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ Palace
• 10/31 - San Diego, CA @ Cane's
• 11/1 - Tempe, AZ @ Green Room
• 11/4 - Austin, TX @La Zona Rosa
• 11/5 - Houston, TX @ Engine Room
• 11/6 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

• Len

At first, the beat-pop upstarts of Len were simply postponing the first few dates of their pending U.S. road trip due to a visa problem. Now the Canadian band has blown off its entire U.S. club tour, at least for the moment.

For more on Len, be sure to check out the MTV Online Feature, "Len: Let the Sunshine In."

• Len

Canadian fun-funk group Len has scored a summer hit with the jaunty "Steal My Sunshine," the leadoff track from its third album, "You Can't Stop the Bum Rush," which features cameos by such unlikely allies as Kurtis Blow, Biz Markie, and Poison's C.C. DeVille.

• 7/18 - Sacramento, CA @ 815 L. Street
• 7/19 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's
• 7/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Athletic Club
• 7/22 - San Diego, CA @ Cane's

• Len

ANAHEIM, California — Creed vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti will start working nights this week as they resume writing the follow-up to 1999's smash Human Clay. Refreshed from taking the holidays off, the songwriting duo plans to buckle down four nights a week and pen an album that intensifies the larger-than-life feel of its predecessor.

"It's gonna be more extreme on all extremities — the harder stuff a little harder, the epic stuff a little more epic," Tremonti said Saturday.

Creed plan to spend the next few months writing before heading into the studio in July and hopefully releasing the disc in October or November. Tremonti said the band, which worked with longtime friend and producer John Kurzweg on both My Own Prison (1997) and Human Clay, has not picked a producer for the album.

The spiritual Florida rockers parted ways with bass player and founding member Brian Marshall in August and hired Brett Hestla as their touring bassist. Hestla will be working on an album with his group Virgos while Creed are recording their LP as a trio, but the bands are considering a joint fall tour after both albums hit stores. Hestla said he would play both sets.

Tremonti, Hestla and Creed drummer Scott Phillips attended last weekend's National Association of Music Merchants trade show in Anaheim, where Paul Reed Smith Guitars unveiled Tremonti's new signature model.

Tremonti said he had been working with PRS to design the guitar for about a year. "It's the baddest guitar on the planet. It's a technically perfect, thick, massive-sounding guitar. I think it's the best in the world today." Creed, who cleaned up at several recent award ceremonies, are up for two Grammys next month. "With Arms Wide Open" is nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song, the latter of which would go to its songwriters, Tremonti and Stapp.

"A Grammy would be great — I'm just not gonna count on it," Tremonti said. "We've won a lot of awards this year, and I'm happy about 'em. If we don't win a Grammy, we don't win a Grammy. We've got a lot more albums ahead. But we're up for two of them, so we'll keep our fingers crossed." For much more on Creed, don't forget to check out the MTV News Online feature Creed: Higher Learning"

• Len

Buzzworthy band Len will be replacing Eve 6 on the Canadian Edgefest tour in July and headlining the festival's second stage.

As we reported on Monday, Eve 6 dropped off of Edgefest due to illness (see "Eve 6 Cancels Tour Plans").

The fast-rising Len is a logical choice for the outing: the group is Canadian, and they're riding on a hit single and video, "Steal My Sunshine," [RealVideo] from their debut album, "You Can't Stop the Bum Rush."

Len is fronted by the Burger Pimp and his sister Sharon, and it also includes D. Rock, Planet Pea (a.k.a. Kudu5), DJ Moves, and the Drunkness Monster. The group's music is best described as "beat-based pop," and its debut album was mixed by Dust Brother John King.

On the downside, the Edgefest tour confirmation means that Len won't be able to play the X Games in San Francisco on July 2 as scheduled. A management spokesperson for the band told MTV News that the group was very reluctant to cancel the performance, but the lure of the national festival was too great to ignore.

Edgefest is the top festival tour in Len's native country. The tour kicks off in Barrie, Ontario, just outside of Toronto, on July 1 and continues across Canada, wrapping up in Vancouver, July 14. The festival roster includes Hole, Silverchair, Big Wreck, and many others.

• Len