Channeling Michael Jackson: 25 Years Since Destiny’s Child’s Chart-Topping 'Bootylicious'

October 6, 2026

Rumor has it that Destiny’s Child and Michael Jackson were actually supposed to collaborate on “Bootylicious,” but there was a scheduling conflict that prevented it from happening.

To this day, I’m not quite sure how true that rumor is, but what is true, however, is that “Bootylicious” (the song and video) is an homage to Michael Jackson from top to bottom. From Beyoncé’s vocal hiccups and “hee-hees” throughout the track to the various MJ-inspired moves the group busted out in the music video—like Kelly doing some of the “Dangerous” choreography as Beyoncé sings her first verse, and the trio rocking fedoras, glittery outfits, white socks, and black heels—it was a love letter to the King of Pop.

It’s hard to believe, but 2026 marks 25 years since the release of “Bootylicious” and the group’s third studio album, Survivor. While we’re a little late on the exact anniversary, we couldn’t let the year pass without commemorating the monumental chart dominance of this special moment in time.

When Survivor dropped in May 2001, expectations were sky-high following the multi-platinum success of The Writing’s on the Wall. The trio didn’t just meet expectations—they shattered them.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving an astounding 663,000 copies in its first week. At the time, that marked the highest first-week sales tally ever achieved by a female group in SoundScan history. Fueled by fierce production, empowering anthems and flawless harmonies, the project quickly earned a 4x Platinum certification from the RIAA, going on to push over 4.7 million units in the U.S. and over 10 million copies globally.

While the album’s lead title track “Survivor” soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was “Bootylicious” that took the era’s commercial momentum to its absolute peak. Powered by that instantly recognizable and iconic, infectious guitar riff sampled from Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen,” “Bootylicious” officially entered the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2001, and nine weeks later, the track leaped to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, securing Destiny’s Child their fourth career No. 1 single in the United States. The track spent a total of 19 weeks on the chart and dominated airplay worldwide, locking in Top 5 positioning in the UK, Australia, Canada, and across Europe. Two-plus decades later, it’s clear “Bootylicious” cemented Destiny’s Child as the defining pop/R&B group of the Y2K era —a milestone run that still resonates 25 years later.

And, of course, we can’t forget the group’s performance of the song and Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Special.