Founded in 1998, the NOW That's What I Call Music compilation series has just released its 50th collection of pop hits.

Now That's What I Call Music! Releases Its 50th Compilation

Soundcheck | May 12, 2014

Back in 1998, television audiences began seeing commercials for a brand new type of compilation album: It wasn't the usual repackaged sampler featuring the "greatest hits of the '70s," or "swinging sounds of the Rat Pack." Instead, it was CD that sold the hits of right now.

Believe it or not, the Now That’s What I Call Music! series not only survives in the age of digital downloads and streaming services, but is remarkably still going strong. In fact, last week Now hit another milestone when it released its 50th collection of pop hits. In an interview with Soundcheck host John Schaefer, the head of A&R for the series, Jeff Moskow, looks back on the origins of the ubiquitous series and the ways its adapted to a changing music industry.

Then, Billboard.com associate editor Jason Lipshutz -- who listened through all 50 NOW discs and wrote up the top 50 "forgotten gems" from the series -- guides us through some of the lesser-remembered hits -- from Jennifer Love Hewitt to Lisa Marie Presley.

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