“My Boo” is a track from 1992. At that time, I was a pre-teen. Atlanta was the spot, the music hub for black culture. We had LaFace Records, So So Def, and I grew up with acts like Kris Kross and TLC, who was my favorite group. Because of this music scene, I knew at nine years old that I was going to live in Atlanta.
“My Boo” is another summer anthem. Have you ever heard of Freaknik? It was an event where young college students, mostly from HBCUs, would go down to Atlanta. This was another reason I wanted to be grown. The song came out during the summer and it epitomized the sound we call southern bass. It’s a blend of Miami bass origins with Atlanta’s own twist, mainly through their drums. The sound is characterized by 808s, but at a faster tempo, around 130 BPM. This fast-moving song perfectly captured that era.
Even today, “My Boo” is a track I can play anywhere, especially in the summer. It has a timeless quality and has even resurfaced thanks to TikTok, where a new generation has created their own dance to it. For my generation, it remains a definitive summer party record. Hearing it solidified my desire to be in Atlanta. I didn’t know how it would turn out, but this song laid the foundation for my connection to the culture.
