Flashback: September 7, 1990

The ‘90s Are Calling

September 1990 had us standing in two worlds at once. On one side, history was shifting…the Berlin Wall had fallen less than a year earlier, but tensions in the Middle East were already making headlines.

On the other, we were worried about simpler things, like whether our new back-to-school outfit passed the cafeteria runway test or if we’d remember our locker combo on the first try.

Mariah Carey was taking over the charts, reminding us just how powerful a single voice could be. And Labor Day weekend still marked the official end of summer, before calendars became year-round chaos.

So let’s rewind to what we were spinning on our Je and watching on our wood-paneled TVs in September 1990.

This Mixtape Memory Lane is sponsored by 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover.

Mixtape Memory Lane 

🎧 “Vision of Love” – Mariah Carey

Mariah’s debut single was more than just a song…it was a moment.
Her soaring voice reshaped what we expected from a pop ballad, leaving radio DJs scrambling for words and the rest of us wondering how high notes could go.

🎧 “Call Me D-Nice” – D-Nice

Long before he was lighting up dance floors with TikToks, D-Nice dropped a slick single that climbed the Hot Rap Singles chart and earned crossover attention on pop radio. It captured a moment when hip-hop was stepping solidly into the mainstream, offering swagger and flow in equal measure.

🎧 “Blaze of Glory” – Jon Bon Jovi

Straight from the Young Guns II soundtrack, Bon Jovi’s solo effort proved he could step out of the band spotlight. Equal parts grit and grandeur, it was the kind of song you blasted in your car with the windows down.

🎧 “Release Me” – Wilson Phillips

With harmonies as rich as their family tree, Wilson Phillips gave us a reminder that sometimes pop could be both polished and deeply personal. It was empowerment wrapped in melody.

🎧 “Thieves in the Temple” – Prince

Prince kept things unpredictable with this track from Graffiti Bridge. Funk, soul, and social commentary collided in a way only he could deliver.

👆 Watch the full throwback video playlist on YouTube Music.

Screen Time Rewind 

At the box office, 1990 was stacked. Ghost had us ugly crying in theaters while Whoopi Goldberg stole every scene.

Die Hard 2 proved lightning could strike twiceth…is time in an airport instead of a skyscraper.

Pretty Woman made Julia Roberts America’s sweetheart overnight, and Total Recall gave us Schwarzenegger, Mars, and one of the wildest sci-fi rides of the decade.

On TV, In Living Color was only a few months old, but it was already redefining comedy. The Wayans brothers were fearless, the Fly Girls were setting trends, and Jim Carrey was proving rubber-faced antics could become prime-time gold.

Meanwhile, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted in September, instantly making Will Smith a household name and delivering a new kind of sitcom swagger.

And just as Saturday mornings were starting to feel predictable, Captain Planet and the Planeteers landed on September 15, 1990. With eco-friendly heroes, a villain named Looten Plunder, and a catchy “The Power is Yours!” tagline, the show blended cartoon action with environmental messaging.

Whether you wanted edgy sketch comedy, a new face from Philly, or a cartoon saving the planet one recycled soda can at a time, the fall lineup had you covered.

This Life Reboot is sponsored by La’Merde Designs apparel.

Life Reboot: Body

From Fat-Free to Full Picture

In 1990, “healthy” usually meant one thing: fat-free. Grocery aisles filled with SnackWell’s cookies, fat-free cheese that barely melted, and tubs of margarine stacked higher than butter ever dreamed of. We were told fat was the enemy, and food companies rushed to strip it out of everything…even if it meant replacing it with sugar and fillers.

Looking back, it’s almost funny how far the pendulum swung. Fat-free frozen yogurt was a social event, rice cakes were a snack staple, and Lean Cuisine boxes promised guilt-free meals. But for all the promises, most of us just ended up hungrier, chasing fullness that never came.

Today, the picture looks different. Science has shown that fat isn’t the villain…it’s an essential part of a balanced diet. Avocados, nuts, olive oil, even real butter have made a comeback. The shift isn’t about demonizing one nutrient, it’s about balance: eating whole foods, watching portions, and fueling your body instead of depriving it.

This week’s challenge: Reboot your “diet culture” mindset. Instead of cutting something out, try adding something nourishing in. Toss avocado on your toast, drizzle olive oil on your salad, or snack on almonds instead of a fat-free cookie that never really satisfied. The point isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

And while we’re talking about taking care of ourselves, don’t forget that what’s on your plate can be just as powerful as what’s in your workout. Foods rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, spinach, and green tea, have long been linked to slowing cellular damage.

Spices such as turmeric and cinnamon bring anti-inflammatory benefits, while everyday staples like garlic and olive oil have been tied to heart health and longevity. Adding even one of these to your daily routine can be a simple, flavorful way to future-proof your body.

Visual Feature is sponsored by Practical Advice from the Scriptures.

Visual Feature: From the Archives

Just five days before our flashback date, Jerry Lewis wrapped up his 25th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon. For 21 hours straight, Lewis pleaded, performed, and pushed Americans to dig deep for “Jerry’s Kids,” raising over $44 million in 1990 alone.

This was appointment television…families tuned in, volunteers filled local phone banks, and kids begged to stay up late to see which celebrities would appear. For one weekend every year, the country was united by a marathon of entertainment and generosity. In an era before online fundraising, the telethon showed what was possible when culture and compassion shared the stage.

Life Reboot is sponsored by La’Merde Designs.

Mixtape Memory Lane is sponsored by 50 Ways to Keep Your Lover.

Visual Feature is sponsored by Practical Advice from the Scriptures.

Thanks for Answering the Call

That’s our rewind to September 1990…when Mariah Carey was proving her voice could move mountains, Jerry Lewis was proving television could move hearts, and we were just trying to move through high school without tripping over our shoelaces.

So this week, if you found joy in movement, music, or memory, share it. Forward this edition to a friend who still remembers calling radio stations to request their favorite song or staying up way too late on a school night.

See you next week for another trip through memories and meaning.
Until then, “…smell ya later!”