The Britney timeline: The music
The fateful Madonna-Britney kiss performance, via YouTube.
(AP file)
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Britney's career years
December 1998: Britney’s debut single, “…Baby One More Time,” hits big, peaking at No. 1 on Billboard’s song chart by year’s end and eventually selling 9 million copies.
Jan. 12, 1999: The CD of the same name is released, also reaching No. 1 and selling an amazing 25 million copies.
February 2000: Spears gets two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for “...Baby One More Time”) but loses to Christina Aguilera and Sarah McLachlan, respectively.
May 16, 2000: The next CD is out, “Oops! I Did It Again,” and debuts at No. 1, breaking a sales record in its first week.
Autumn 2000: At the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney performs, ripping off a black suit to reveal a provocative nude-colored and crystal-adorned outfit that generated much controversy.
February 2001: Two more Grammy nominations — Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — and two more losses.
Nov. 6, 2001: Album Three is out, the self-titled “Britney,” again debuting at No. 1, outselling Michael Jackson’s “Invincible” in the same week. Britney co-wrote five of the songs.
Autumn 2002: Back at the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney performs “I’m a Slave 4 U” with caged animals on stage and while dancing with an albino python draped across her shoulders. PETA is not amused.
Autumn 2003: Yet another controversial performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, in which she performs “Like a Virgin” with Christina Aguilera, and then locks lips with Madonna is the kiss talked about ’round the world.
November 2003: Britney releases “In the Zone,” her fourth full-length CD. This No. 1 chart debut makes her the first woman to ever have four consecutive No. 1 debuts. Still, critical reception begins to slip.