'90s Music -- An Introduction

'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

Nirvana, 'Nevermind' (1991)
Green Day, 'Dookie' (1994)
Alanis Morissette, 'Jagged Little Pill' (1995)
The Notorious B.I.G., 'Ready to Die' (1994)
Lauryn Hill, 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' (1998)
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991)
Shania Twain, 'Come on Over' (1997)
Hootie and the Blowfish, 'Cracked Rear View' (1994)
Will Smith, 'Big Willie Style' (1997)
Ace of Base, 'Happy Nation' (1993)

Top Artists in '90s Music

Backstreet Boys
Public Enemy
Beck
Rage Against the Machine
Salt-N-Pepa
Britney Spears
Mariah Carey
Pearl Jam
Radiohead
Sublime

Online Radio Stations for '90s Music

'90s Alternative Radio
'90s Pop Radio
'90s Hip Hop Radio
'90s R&B Radio
'90s Country Radio

Top Music Videos of the '90s

TLC, 'Waterfalls'



Weezer, 'Buddy Holly'



Beastie Boys, 'Sabotage'



Sir Mix-A-Lot, 'Baby Got Back'



blink-182, 'All the Small Things'



Blind Melon, 'No Rain'



Nirvana, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'



Jamiroquai, 'Virtual Insanity'



Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diddy and Mase, 'Mo' Money, Mo' Problems'



Fatboy Slim, 'Praise You' (1999)