These four groups gave us some of the best R&B of the 90s and 2000s. Destiny's Child, TLC, En Vogue and SWV each have hits that still fill playlists, parties and road trips. This One Gotta Go card asks which group you would remove from the R&B story for good.
Think about the songs you still sing in the car, the harmonies you try to hit, and the group you'd want to see on a reunion stage. Then make your pick and get ready for some strong opinions from the music fans at the table.
Destiny's Child vs TLC vs En Vogue vs SWV
A. Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child, with Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, gave us hits like 'Say My Name' and 'Survivor'. Their success launched Beyoncé's solo career. The case against them is that Beyoncé's solo work is so huge that it sometimes overshadows the group.
Keep it if: 'Say My Name' is a classic to you, and you love their harmonies and their run of hits.
B. TLC
TLC, made up of T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli, mixed R&B, hip hop and pop with songs like 'Waterfalls' and 'No Scrubs'. They're one of the best-selling girl groups ever. The case against cutting them is so strong that some people pick them just to stir up the table.
Keep it if: 'Waterfalls' and 'No Scrubs' are part of your life, and TLC's style and attitude still stand out.
C. En Vogue
En Vogue were famous for powerful vocals and harmonies, with hits like 'Free Your Mind' and 'Don't Let Go (Love)'. Fans call them true singers. The case against them is that younger listeners may not know as many of their songs.
Keep it if: You love big, polished vocals and four-part harmonies, and 'Don't Let Go' is on repeat.
D. SWV
SWV, short for Sisters With Voices, had hits like 'Weak' and 'Right Here', and their sound defined 90s R&B for many fans. The case against them is that their run of hits was shorter, so they might be an easier cut than the others.
Keep it if: 'Weak' is one of your all-time favorite songs and SWV's sound is pure 90s for you.
Our take
We'd cut SWV, only because their run of hits was the shortest on this card, while Destiny's Child launched a superstar, TLC changed what a girl group could be and En Vogue set the bar for harmonies. Expect the most fun debate between the Destiny's Child fans and the TLC crowd. For a bonus round, ask everyone to pick one song from each group for the perfect road trip playlist and see whose list wins the car.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which R&B group had the most memorable music videos?
- Which group has the best harmonies?
- Which group would you most want to see reunite on stage?
- Which R&B group deserves a spot on this card instead?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Classic R&B Groups: quick answers
What is the best-selling R&B girl group?
TLC and Destiny's Child are usually named among the best-selling girl groups of all time, and both have hits that are still played today. En Vogue and SWV were also major R&B acts of the 90s. That's why this card is such a hard choice for R&B fans.
Who were the members of Destiny's Child?
The best-known lineup of Destiny's Child was Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The group had hits like 'Say My Name', 'Survivor' and 'Bootylicious', and its success helped launch Beyoncé's solo career, which went on to become one of the biggest in music.
