'90s Music -- An Introduction
September 30th 2009 4:34PM
'90s music was almost constantly undergoing radical changes. Usurping '80s genres like glam metal and new wave, the '90s music favored genres such as grunge and alternative, contemporary R&B, teen pop, swing revival, techno, and hip-hop and rap became one of mainstream music's dominant genres.
On a cultural level, the two key movements that stand out in '90s music are Lilith Fair and the mainstreaming of hip-hop and rap. Founded in 1996 by singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, the traveling festival was one of the most successful concert series of the decade. More importantly, it signaled a new generation of folk-oriented singer-songwriters, including Lisa Loeb, Liz Phair, and Jewel. Meanwhile, rap quickly ascending to the epitome of mainstream music, with radio stations devoted to hip-hop growing at an astonishing rate throughout the '90s. Artists like the Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Will Smith, Vanilla Ice and Outkast made the genre accessible to every demographic in the country.
The top-selling albums of '90s music included Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' Green Day's 'Dookie,' Shania Twain's 'Come on Over,' Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Ready to Die.' The most popular artists of '90s music included Nirvana, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Pearl Jam, the Backstreet Boys, Alanis Morissette, and Green Day.
Popular Styles of '90s Music
Grunge/Alternative Rock
Contemporary R&B
Female Singer-Songwriter
Teen Pop
Hip-Hop
Southern Rap
Swing Revival
Techno
Nu-Metal
Pop-Punk
Top Albums in '90s Music
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