Tlc, Salt-N-Pepa, and a Reunited en Vogue Bring 90s Dominance to the iHeartRadio Music Awards

The trailblazing R&B group En Vogue poses for a studio portrait. The legendary trio is preparing to share the stage with TLC and Salt-N-Pepa — a historic, first-of-its-kind collaboration — at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The highly anticipated March 26 performance in Los Angeles will mark the group's continued run with reunited original member Maxine Jones. (Photo/RBUniversalFan)

Before "girl power" became a commodified pop slogan, the actual groundwork was being laid on the hip-hop and R&B charts. On Thursday, March 26, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles will host a first-of-its-kind collaborative performance featuring the era's most defining trailblazers: TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue.

The joint set at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards brings together three groups that fundamentally shifted the culture for women in music. Salt-N-Pepa introduced unapologetic sex positivity and feminism to hip-hop, TLC rewrote the rules of female autonomy and financial independence with diamond-selling dominance, and En Vogue provided the vocal blueprint for self-respect and boundary-setting.

While the triple-threat billing is a major draw for the telecast, the En Vogue appearance carries significant cultural weight. The performance marks the group's continued run with original founding member Maxine Jones, who made her highly anticipated return to the lineup in early 2025 at the NBA All-Star Game.

Her return — which eventually preceded the late-2025 departure of longtime member Rhona Bennett — restored the original vocal blend that anchored timeless anthems like "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Free Your Mind." The reunion of Jones with Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron has not been without its signature behind-the-scenes friction; former member Dawn Robinson publicly criticized the move late last year, claiming Maxine's return was a "set up" to oust Bennett.

Despite the noise, the current trio has remained focused on the stage, leaning into the nostalgia of their restored lineup.

“Having Maxine back and sharing it with our fans around the world — was beyond special,” Herron stated regarding the group's revival.

Now, that revived chemistry will be showcased on live television alongside their peers. A joint appearance with Salt-N-Pepa naturally sparks anticipation for a live rendition of their 1993 multi-platinum smash "Whatta Man." Adding TLC — the best-selling American girl group of all time — into the mix elevates the set into a definitive celebration of the era's dominance.

The ceremony, airing live on FOX, will be hosted by Atlanta rap pioneer Ludacris, who is also set to receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award. The accolade honors artists whose portfolios have shaped the culture across multiple decades. Since his 2000 breakthrough with "Back for the First Time," Ludacris has shifted 24 million records globally and expanded his footprint into Hollywood.

“I'm excited to return as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards to celebrate and perform alongside some of the best in the industry,” Ludacris said in a press release. “It's going to be a night with special performances and surprise moments fans are going to love.”

30 Years Later: Snoop Dogg Pours One Out for Tupac With Limited-Edition Cali Red Blend

Snoop Dogg, center, and Tupac Shakur, right, share a toast in this archival behind-the-scenes footage from the 1996 music video shoot for "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted." The rare footage is featured in a new short film released Tuesday accompanying Snoop Dogg's launch of a limited-edition Cali by Snoop wine honoring the 30th anniversary of their iconic collaboration. (Image courtesy of Treasury Wine Estates/Cali by Snoop)

Thirty years after they helped define the golden era of West Coast hip-hop, Snoop Dogg is raising a glass to his late friend and collaborator, Tupac Shakur.

On Tuesday Snoop Dogg's wine brand, Cali by Snoop, officially released "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted," a limited-edition red blend celebrating the 30th anniversary of their iconic 1996 anthem. Developed in partnership with Treasury Wine Estates and the Tupac Estate, the release serves as a liquid tribute to one of the most legendary brotherhoods in rap history.

"It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since Pac and I got together to make '2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,'" Snoop Dogg said in a press statement regarding the release. "Nobody did it like us, and I can't think of a better way to honor his legacy than with a drink. This wine is perfect for celebrating with loved ones, and I'm looking forward to the people pourin' a little out with me for my friend".

For the culture, the milestone runs deep. Released during the absolute peak of Death Row Records' dominance, the original track became the defining soundtrack of a turbulent but triumphant 1990s hip-hop boom. Notably, the cinematic visual for "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" stands as the only music video Snoop and Tupac ever filmed together.

The limited-edition "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" red blend by Cali by Snoop is shown in a promotional image. Snoop Dogg released the wine in partnership with the Tupac Estate to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their classic 1996 collaboration. The bottle's label features a custom illustration of the two hip-hop legends inspired by their joint appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. (Image courtesy of Treasury Wine Estates/Cali by Snoop)

To accompany the wine launch, Cali by Snoop released a moving short film featuring rare, behind-the-scenes archival footage of the two superstars on the set of that exact video. In the clip, Snoop reminisces about their rapid rise, noting that they were often the only ones who truly understood the pressure they were under.

"When I think back on that time, I sometimes trip off all the drama, the courtrooms, the cases, the battles on and off record," Snoop says to his late friend in the tribute film. "But all of that played a part in the legends we became".

The wine itself is a Petite Sirah-dominant California red blend, characterized by tasting notes of toasty oak, dark fruit, toffee, and baking spice. The bottle's label artwork features a custom illustration of Snoop and Tupac inspired by their legendary joint appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, complete with a written tribute to Shakur.

The "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" wine retails for $14.99 and is currently available at major retailers nationwide.

Legendary Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Announce ‘Nothing but Hits’ Las Vegas Run

Legendary producers Jimmy Jam, left, and Terry Lewis are shown in a promotional image for their upcoming Las Vegas residency. The duo's "Nothing But Hits" shows will debut at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort this spring, featuring special guest appearances by vocalists Ruben Studdard and Shanice Wilson to perform their massive catalog of R&B classics.

The architects behind the Minneapolis Sound are officially taking their legendary, multi-decade catalog to the Strip.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have announced a limited-run Las Vegas residency titled "Nothing But Hits," set to debut this spring at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort. The immersive live experience will mark the first time the iconic songwriting and production team will take the stage to perform and share the stories behind their staggering catalog.

The residency is currently scheduled for six performances on April 17–18, 22, and 24–26.

"We've been fortunate to do so many incredible things in our careers," Jimmy Jam said in a statement regarding the announcement. "But we've never had the chance to perform our catalog live. Being able to share these songs — and the stories behind them — is going to be special".

With a record-breaking 42 Billboard No. 1 hits and over 100 gold, platinum, and diamond albums to their credit, Jam & Lewis aim to deliver upwards of 40 hits per night. To handle the massive vocal requirements of their discography, the duo will be backed by a live band and a rotating cast of special guest vocalists, with "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard and "Star Search" legend Shanice already confirmed to appear.

The Las Vegas run coincides with the 40th anniversary of Janet Jackson's landmark 1986 album, "Control," a project that fundamentally shifted the landscape of R&B and pop and cemented the duo's status as super-producers. Fans can expect a heavy emphasis on their defining work with Jackson, alongside anthems they crafted for Michael Jackson, Prince, Usher, Mary J. Blige and Boyz II Men.

"The show will feel like traveling through the soundtrack of your life," Terry Lewis added. "It's not just the music — it's the memories and moments connected to it."