1999: The Year in Electronic Music

A look back at the year 1999 in electronic music, including the best tracks, albums, and events of the year.

Introduction

In many ways, 1999 was a banner year for electronic music. It was a time of experimentation and change, as established artists pushed the boundaries of their sound while new artists emerged to create exciting new styles. This was also a period of transition, as the popularity of electronic music continued to grow and it began to make inroads into the mainstream pop culture. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of 1999 in electronic music.

The Rise of MP3s

MP3s were on the rise in 1999, with more and more people downloading and sharing music files. This led to a decline in CD sales, as people were buying fewer CDs and instead downloading MP3s. This trend would continue in the years to come, and by 2004, iTunes would be launched, furthering the decline of CDs.

The Growth of Online Music Stores

In 1999, the online music store MP3.com was founded. This was a key moment in the development of the digital music industry, as it was one of the first places where people could legally purchase and download digital music files. The store was incredibly popular, and by 2001 it had amassed a catalog of over 200,000 songs from more than 18,000 artists. This made it one of the largest music stores in the world at the time.

However, MP3.com was not the only online music store to launch in 1999. Apple’s iTunes Store also debuted that year, offering a similar service to MP3.com. However, iTunes had a major advantage over its competitor: it was integrated into Apple’s popular iPod media player, making it much easier for users to purchase and download songs. As a result, iTunes quickly became the dominant player in the online music market, a position it still holds today.

The Proliferation of Mobile Music

1999 was a big year for electronic music. Not only did the genre continue to grow in popularity, but new technologies also made it possible for people to enjoy music on the go like never before.

One of the biggest changes was the proliferation of mobile music devices. In the early 1990s, portable CD players were all the rage, but by 1999, they were starting to be replaced by sleek new MP3 players. The first commercially successful MP3 player, the Diamond Rio, was released in 1998, and by 1999 there were a number of different brands on the market.

This new generation of portable music players made it easier than ever before to take your music with you wherever you went. And with the advent of file-sharing programs like Napster, it was also easier than ever to find and download new music. As a result, electronic music became even more popular in 1999, with a wide range of artists finding mainstream success.

The Resurgence of Vinyl

It was a big year for electronic music, with the resurgence of vinyl and the rise of digital music formats. 1999 saw the release of some classic albums and singles, as well as the debut of some timeless artists. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest moments in electronic music in 1999.

The Resurgence of Vinyl: With the popularity of CDs on the decline, many record labels began to re-release classic albums on vinyl. This led to a resurgence in vinyl sales, which had been declining since the early 1990s. Many record stores began to carry vinyl records again, and DJs began playing them at clubs and parties.

The Rise of Digital Music Formats: With the advent of MP3 players and online music stores, digital music formats began to take off in 1999. This was a major turning point for the music industry, as it marked the beginning of the end for physical media like CDs and vinyl records.

The Debut of Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga made her debut in 1999 with her first single, “Just Dance.” She would go on to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world, selling millions of records and winning multiple Grammy Awards.

The Release of Classic Albums: Some classic albums were released in 1999, including Daft Punk’s “Homework,” Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambient Works II,” and The Prodigy’s “The Fat of the Land.” These albums would go on to define electronic music for years to come.

The Death of Mojo Nixon: Mojo Nixon, a cult favorite singer-songwriter known for his eccentric style and humorous lyrics, passed away in 1999. He was best known for his songs “Elvis is Everywhere” and “Don’t Vote.”

The Decline of CDs

The late 1990s saw the beginning of the decline of CDs as the primary format for music consumption. In 1999, record companies began to release more music on DVDs and CDs were slowly phased out in favor of these new formats. This was due to the increasing popularity of digital music, which was seen as a more convenient and affordable option for consumers. CDs were also seen as being less durable than DVDs and were therefore less popular with consumers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 1999 was a great year for electronic music. With so many new artists and genres emerging, it was truly a year of innovation and creativity. From the rise of trance and techno to the continued popularity of house and drum & bass, there was something for everyone in the world of electronic music. And with the new millennium just around the corner, it seemed like anything was possible.