Music
The 1990s
were a decade that saw marketing became more segmented, as MTV gradually
shifted away from music videos beginning in 1992 and radio splintered into
narrower formats aimed at different niches. However, they are perhaps best
known for grunge, gangsta rap, R&B, teen pop; eurodance, electronic dance
music, the renewed popularity of punk rock mainly because of the band Green Day
(which would also help create a new genre pop punk) and for being the decade
that alternative rock became mainstream. U2 was one of the most popular 1990s
bands, their groundbreaking Zoo TV and PopMart tours were the top selling tours
of 1992 and 1997. Glam metal dies out through its own accord in the music
mainstream by 1991. Grunge becomes popular in 1991 because of the success of
Nirvana's Nevermind, Pearl Jam's Ten and Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger. Pop punk
also becomes popular with such artists as Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, Social
Distortion, The Offspring, Bad Religion, NOFX and Rancid. Other successful
alternative acts included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Gin Blossoms,
Oasis, Blur, Soul Asylum, Third Eye Blind, Stone Temple Pilots, Faith No More,
The Smashing Pumpkins, Live, Everclear, Bush, Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees,
and Ween.
Rock
Alternative
Rock and it's sub-genres Grunge and Pop Punk expand in popularity and
ironically, explode into the mainstream during the 1990's. Major labels begin
luring independent bands away from small record labels. These artists are
resistant to the demands of big record companies and unwilling to change styles
to reach a mass market audience. Nevertheless, many alternative bands,
including REM, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Smiths and
grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and others find success with mainstream audiences.
Another
alternative to radioplay and traditional mainstream success is the rise in Jam
Bands influenced by the Grateful Dead. Noted for cross genre improvisation and
extended jams, bands such as Phish, Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews Band, and
Widespread Panic rely on album sales and live concerts. Heavy metal morphs into
new sub-genres such as rap metal or rapcore, nu metal and industrial metal.
Electronic music continues to change as well, with techno and house splitting
into new styles including trance, drums & bass, trip-hop and eurodance.
In the
90's Hip-Hop continues to expand in influence and grow in diversity. With huge
growth in sales, radio airplay and overall success for artists like NWA, Public
Enemy, Queen Latifah, Salt n' Pepa, Ice T, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Tupac Shakur,
Cypress Hill and many others.
Pop and
teen-pop continue to appeal to a younger radio audience with the Backstreet
Boys, *NSYNC, 98 Degrees, Hanson and The Spice Girls having major success. Late
in the decade female teen pop artists ascend with major hits by Jennifer Lopez,
Destiny's Child, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. Contemporary R&B
also scores big on the pop charts especially for Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey,
TLC, Toni Braxton, Lauryn Hill, and Boys II Men.
In the UK
the term BritPop is coined as new bands Oasis and Blur battle for the top of
the charts. Singer / Songwriters enjoy a resurgence especially for female
artists like Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Tori Amos, Jewel,
Natalie Merchant and Sheryl Crow.
Advancements
in computers and software allow for digital music creation and recording on
home computers. The internet and sound compression allow for digital
distribution of music, often bypassing the need for a major label album release.
