The Spice Girls’ ‘Spice’ Album. That was the very first CD I ever owned. Imagine 8 year old me (short, a bit on the chubby side, round thick glasses…. you get the picture) jumping around her family’s living room as Wannabe blared out from the stereo system. It had been a birthday gift from an aunt, one I hadn’t exactly been excited about getting originally considering I had never really paid much attention to the group before. But as time passed by, I actually grew to love the album, and could even sing-along to every single song on it     (which I considered to be a huge accomplishment for some reason). And thus began my short-lived Spice Girls 0bsession phase….

Here I am, nine years later, wondering, “What ever happened to that CD?” It’s so sad how certain music albums we once described as the soundtracks of our lives end up abandoned under our beds or at the back of that cupboard no-one at home ever uses anymore. What’s even more depressing is how the artists that made these albums eventually disappear from the planet, bearing the dreaded status of a ‘has-been’ or D-class celebrity.

So because I’m weird like that, I have spent countless hours in front of a computer, putting together a list of singers most of us grew up listening to as kids (unless you grew up under a rock, on the dark side of the moon or something). I call it….”Where are they now?”

DISCLAIMER: Please note that I grew up in a different continent called Africa and contrary to popular belief, we did (and still do) have access to TVs, radios and Western culture. But nobody was listening to Atomic Kitten or Blue or any of those solely British-based groups and artists. So please don’t get too mad at me for omitting some singers you may have listened to when you were younger.

1)      Spice Girls: Scary is a reality star with an amazing bod, Posh is married to my future baby-daddy (just kidding *nervous laugh*) and the others are around…somewhere. There was the reunion tour but I was pretty much over them by then.

2)     Sisqo: The Thong song guy. Former Celebrity Big brother contestant. Need I say more?

3)     ‘N Sync: Justin Timberlake is Justin Timberlake.. JC Chasez is a judge on America’s Best Dance Crew. Lance Bass came out of the closet and is a bestselling author. Joey Fatone is a reality show host. And Chris Kirkpatrick is the voiceover for a character in Fairly Odd Parents.

4)     Britney Spears: I was never a huge fan of hers to be honest. But I will commend her for her staying power. The woman has refused to leave the music industry and still sells millions of albums worldwide.

5)     Westlife: Still pretty huge, still managed by Louis Walsh. I wonder how that’s working out for them. Anyone who sees star quality in Goldie from X factor ain’t having my money!

6)     Mariah Carey: Sidenote – I loved her! Married to rapper/ actor/ DJ/ TV show host/ music producer/ comedian/ talent manager Nick Cannon with twins (that the world still hasn’t seen yet) and a very successful music career. Her acting career on the other hand…not so much.

7)     Christina Aguilera: A lot more relevant than Britney is considered to be now (in my opinion). She is still fabulous with that amazing voice that sends chills down my spine every time.

8)    Will Smith: The Fresh Prince has starred in several box-office smash hits and still releases successful music to date.  And is it me or has he not aged one bit?

9)     Justin Bieber (ten years from now): A contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice.

I couldn’t’ help myself…