THE 1990'S
- HISTORICAL CONTEXT
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.
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- POPULAR GENRES
Alternative rock music: Dominated popular culture in the early to mid-1990s. The less commercialized music resonated with Generation X known for its nihilistic and cynical sensibilities. Grunge music in particular stood out in particular as an emblematic Nineties genre. Grunge can be described as a mixture of punk and heavy metal. It features a slower pace than punk, distorted guitars, heavy bass lines, dark and angsty lyrics, dissonance, terraced dynamics, and often a stop/start song structure.
Bubblegum Pop: The late-1990s saw the introduction of the highly commercialized and over-produced bubblegum pop groups and stars. Groups and singers like the Spice Girls, All Saints, NSync, the Backstreet Boys, LFO, 98 Degrees, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Robyn, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, and Hanson all saw early success during the decade. The genre really gained momentum in the new millennium, dominating the early 2000s music scene. There was a heavy influx of bubblegum pop artists from about 1997 to 2002. |
- POPULAR ARTISTS
Spice Girls: British girl group formed in 1994, consisting of Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B ("Scary Spice"); Melanie Chisholm, or Melanie C ("Sporty Spice"); Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"); Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"); and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). With their "girl power" mantra, they redefined the girl-group concept by targeting a young female fanbase. They led the teen pop resurgence of the 1990s, were a major part of the Cool Britannia era, and became pop culture icons of the decade.
Nirvana: American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock and roll culture. Most famous Spice Girls song.
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Most famous Nirvana song