Before The Neptunes. Before Stargate. Before The Underdog. There was Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. For three decades, the Minneapolis based duo has created some of music’s biggest hits. Their knack for creating R&B tunes that have strong cross over appeal is obvious—they have landed sixteen Hot 100 number one singles (nine of them recorded by Janet Jackson), and countless top ten and top twenty R&B and pop hits.

Today, June 6, marks Jimmy Jam’s (pictured right) 53rd birthday, and we’re celebrating with a compilation playlist of some of their greatest hits—compliments of The Hot 10 of course.

1. “Rub You The Right Way” – Johnny Gill
2. “When I Think Of You” – Janet Jackson
3. “Romantic” – Karyn White
4. “Encore” – Cheryl Lynn
5. “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” – Cherrelle
6. “Saturday Love” – Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle
7. “The Finest” – S.O.S Band
8. “Sensitivity” – Ralph Tresvant
9. “Tender Love” – Force MDs
10. “Love Is All We Need” – Mary J. Blige ft. Nas

TAGS: Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, Cheryl Cobb, Force MDs, Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Johnny Gill, Karyn White, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Ralph Tresvant, Terry Lewis, The Hot 10, The S.O.S Band