1990s
The musical era of the 1990s was one filled with a variety of pop, rap, and alternative music artists as well as a plethora of one-hit wonders. It was a time when musical taste was as varied as the events that were happening at the time. Many of the most popular acts that emerged in the 1990's were bands and artists who enjoyed a type of resurgence in the mainstream music scene after their popularity had dwindled for a decade or so. Other artists were just starting out during this decade and make a huge impact on the musical scene.
The musical era of the 1990s was one filled with a variety of pop, rap, and alternative music artists as well as a plethora of one-hit wonders. It was a time when musical taste was as varied as the events that were happening at the time. Many of the most popular acts that emerged in the 1990's were bands and artists who enjoyed a type of resurgence in the mainstream music scene after their popularity had dwindled for a decade or so. Other artists were just starting out during this decade and make a huge impact on the musical scene.
The early years of the 1990s began with a surge in popularity for music genres like techno (often called dance or house music) and hip-hop that continued throughout the decade.
The early years of the 1990s began with a surge in popularity for music genres like techno (often called dance or house music) and hip-hop that continued throughout the decade.
HIP-HOP (N5) Playlist
HIP-HOP (N5) Playlist
The roots of hip hop can be traced back to the 1970s. As a style its development coincided with the development of the early drum machines such as the TR 808.
There was also extensive use made of turntables incorporating beat-matching. Vocals began to be added to the textures in the form of rapping.
Groups like Technotronic entered the Billboard charts with big hits like “Pump Up the Jam” (right) and “Get Up (Before the Night is Over)”. Others will undoubtedly remember the hits from C+C Music Factory, including “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” that is still a popular dance song at many of the dance clubs across the country.
Groups like Technotronic entered the Billboard charts with big hits like “Pump Up the Jam” (right) and “Get Up (Before the Night is Over)”. Others will undoubtedly remember the hits from C+C Music Factory, including “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” that is still a popular dance song at many of the dance clubs across the country.
Similarly, the hip-hop music scene achieved popularity with artists like MC Hammer (left), Tone Loc, and Vanilla Ice. The subject matter that these artists chose to use in their music was as varied as their audiences. MC Hammer, for instance, sung (or rapped, depending on you want to refer to it) about subjects including the rise of his career as well as songs about praying for the betterment of society. On the other hand, Tone Loc’s songs were riddled with sexual lyrics and innuendo that seem tame and conservative by today’s standards.
Similarly, the hip-hop music scene achieved popularity with artists like MC Hammer (left), Tone Loc, and Vanilla Ice. The subject matter that these artists chose to use in their music was as varied as their audiences. MC Hammer, for instance, sung (or rapped, depending on you want to refer to it) about subjects including the rise of his career as well as songs about praying for the betterment of society. On the other hand, Tone Loc’s songs were riddled with sexual lyrics and innuendo that seem tame and conservative by today’s standards.
Around late 1992 to early 1993 , there was a change starting in the mainstream radio playlists. While the sexual lyrics of techno and hip-hop still dominated the airwaves, a new style of rock music was making an impact. Bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were offering youngsters a new type of rock music to listen to that contained catchy lyrics about the angst and trials of teenage years. These songs also seemed to send a message about the status quo of society and the helplessness that was felt among the teens and early adults of the era. Songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” spoke about a teen revolution in a seemingly meaningless world. The song also marked the beginning of the grunge and alternative rock phase that remained popular throughout the mid-1990s.
The “happy rock” years in the mid-90s helped to pave the way for the “bubblegum pop” that followed in the waning years of the decade. Artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera dominated the mainstream pop music scene well into the late 1990s and beyond. The sexual lyrics and innuendos also came back in the songs of this era that was once popular in the early years of the decade, but they were more blatant than before. The videos were more sexual in nature, too.
The “happy rock” years in the mid-90s helped to pave the way for the “bubblegum pop” that followed in the waning years of the decade. Artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera dominated the mainstream pop music scene well into the late 1990s and beyond. The sexual lyrics and innuendos also came back in the songs of this era that was once popular in the early years of the decade, but they were more blatant than before. The videos were more sexual in nature, too.
The later years of the decade also saw a new popularity for traditional boy bands. Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, The Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, and N’Sync enjoyed the same amount of, if not more, popularity than older boy bands like New Kids on the Block from the late 1980s.
The later years of the decade also saw a new popularity for traditional boy bands. Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, The Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, and N’Sync enjoyed the same amount of, if not more, popularity than older boy bands like New Kids on the Block from the late 1980s.
Blur led the way for 90s music in the UK, albeit in fierce competition with their genre-defining peers Suede, whose just-as-buzzy self-titled debut emerged in 1993. By 1994, Blur had released the seminal Parklife and a whole scene corralled around it, yielding some exceptional albums: Pulp’s quick-witted Different Class, Elastica’s indie-cool self-titled LP, Supergrass’ gleefully pop I Should Coco, and new rivals Oasis’ no-frills rock Definitely Maybe. Bad blood between Blur and Oasis infamously underscored 1995’s Battle Of Britpop, an unofficial singles competition in which both groups released a track on the same day. A modern take on mods versus rockers, the press surrounding it was nothing short of dizzying, framing it as a tug-of-war between middle-class and working-class bands.
Blur led the way for 90s music in the UK, albeit in fierce competition with their genre-defining peers Suede, whose just-as-buzzy self-titled debut emerged in 1993. By 1994, Blur had released the seminal Parklife and a whole scene corralled around it, yielding some exceptional albums: Pulp’s quick-witted Different Class, Elastica’s indie-cool self-titled LP, Supergrass’ gleefully pop I Should Coco, and new rivals Oasis’ no-frills rock Definitely Maybe. Bad blood between Blur and Oasis infamously underscored 1995’s Battle Of Britpop, an unofficial singles competition in which both groups released a track on the same day. A modern take on mods versus rockers, the press surrounding it was nothing short of dizzying, framing it as a tug-of-war between middle-class and working-class bands.
In the end, Blur’s ‘Country House’ outsold Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’. But within a year, Oasis went on to achieve staggering international fame and even broke America, which eluded Blur. This culminated in two sold-out shows at Knebworth Park, resulting in England’s largest ever outdoor concert. It was a mixed bag: the event also marked the rapid decline of Britpop, which, like grunge, had reached saturation point. Death knell theories include: Oasis’ overexposure and in-band fighting; Blur making a lo-fi album; and even the Spice Girls co-opting and diluting a Brit-centric image for global fame.
In the end, Blur’s ‘Country House’ outsold Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’. But within a year, Oasis went on to achieve staggering international fame and even broke America, which eluded Blur. This culminated in two sold-out shows at Knebworth Park, resulting in England’s largest ever outdoor concert. It was a mixed bag: the event also marked the rapid decline of Britpop, which, like grunge, had reached saturation point. Death knell theories include: Oasis’ overexposure and in-band fighting; Blur making a lo-fi album; and even the Spice Girls co-opting and diluting a Brit-centric image for global fame.
EDM | Electronica/dance music (N4)
EDM | Electronica/dance music (N4)
Electronica is a broad term encompassing a range of music styles, including dance music, where the production of the music uses synthesisers, samples and loops.
Electronica is a broad term encompassing a range of music styles, including dance music, where the production of the music uses synthesisers, samples and loops.
The music in the 1990s went through a series of changes in regards to the mainstream radio airwaves. Ironically, it was nearly a full-circle of styles and tastes that resulted in recreating the mainstream sound that is strongly reminiscent of popular music in the 1980s. Many of these bands and artists had staying power, though. Nearly a decade later, we are still being exposed to many of their antics or effects that they had on the musical front. Fortunately, several of these acts have matured in recent years and continue to produce quality music while others with less talent have fallen by the wayside in recent years.
The music in the 1990s went through a series of changes in regards to the mainstream radio airwaves. Ironically, it was nearly a full-circle of styles and tastes that resulted in recreating the mainstream sound that is strongly reminiscent of popular music in the 1980s. Many of these bands and artists had staying power, though. Nearly a decade later, we are still being exposed to many of their antics or effects that they had on the musical front. Fortunately, several of these acts have matured in recent years and continue to produce quality music while others with less talent have fallen by the wayside in recent years.