Pop Music of the 90s

A look back at the most popular songs of the 1990s. From boy bands to girl groups, these are the sounds that defined a decade.

Introduction

The 1990s was a decade of great music. From hip hop and R&B to alternative rock and boy bands, there was something for everyone during this time period. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular songs from the 1990s.

“No Diggity” by Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre
“No Diggity” is a 1996 song by American R&B group Blackstreet. The song features a guest rap verse from Dr. Dre and samples the 1961 hit “I’ll Take Care of You” by Bobby Bland. “No Diggity” was a huge commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and selling over two million copies in the United States.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a 1991 song by American rock band Nirvana. The song was released as the lead single from Nirvana’s second album Nevermind. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became an instant classic, helping to launch Nirvana into the mainstream and making them one of the biggest bands of the 1990s.

“Wonderwall” by Oasis
“Wonderwall” is a 1995 song by English rock band Oasis. The song was released as the third single from their second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? “Wonderwall” became one of Oasis’ most popular songs, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and becoming a top ten hit in several other countries.

The Rise of Grunge

In the early nineties, a new type of rock music emerged from the Pacific Northwest. It was a dark and gritty sound that stood in stark contrast to the polished pop music that dominated the charts at the time. This new genre, which came to be known as grunge, would go on to have a major impact on the music industry.

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed in 1987 by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. The band went through a number of drummers, the longest-lasting being Dave Grohl, who joined in 1990. Nirvana established itself as part of the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s. The success of their 1991 album Nevermind surprised the music industry, as did Cobain’s suicide at age 27 in 1994.

Nirvana’s popularity brought greater attention to the grunge genre and to alternative rock in general. Their music was heavily influenced by punk rock and they used aggressive guitars and cryptic lyrics. Cobain was also known for his unconventional songwriting style, which often incorporated personal journals and literary sources.

The band released three studio albums: Bleach (1989), Nevermind (1991), In Utero (1993). They also released a number of successful singles, such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Heart-Shaped Box”. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain’s death in 1994.

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam was one of the most successful grunge bands of the early 1990s. The band’s debut album, “Ten,” released in 1991, propelled them to stardom with hits like “Alive” and “Even Flow.” The band’s follow-up album, “Vs.,” was even more successful, selling more than a million copies in its first week of release. Pearl Jam remained one of the biggest bands in the world throughout the 1990s, winning multiple Grammy Awards and selling millions of records.

Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986, while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990. The band cultivated a following in the late 1980s and early 1990s through their use of heavy riffing and sludgy melodies. Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge music, a subgenre of alternative rock that developed in Seattle.

The band reached its commercial peak with the 1994 album Superunknown, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun”. In 1997, Soundgarden broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction. After more than a decade of working on solo projects (such as Euphoria Morning and Carry On), Cornell reunited with Soundgarden in 2010 to release a new album, King Animal. The album was released on October 16, 2012 to positive reviews but weak sales.

The Birth of Hip-Hop

In the early 1990s, a new style of music emerged on the streets of New York City. This new style was called hip-hop, and it would go on to change the face of popular music. Hip-hop was a product of the African American community, and it was a way for young people to express themselves.

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre was one of the most influential figures in the birth of hip-hop. He is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur who helped to shape the sound and style of the genre.

Dre was born in Compton, California, in 1965. He began making music in the early 1980s, as a member of the rap group N.W.A. The group’s debut album, Straight Outta Compton, was released in 1988 and is considered one of the most important albums in hip-hop history.

After leaving N.W.A., Dre released his solo debut album, The Chronic, in 1992. The album was a huge success, both commercially and critically, and helped to establish Dre as one of the most important figures in hip-hop.

In 1996, Dre founded his own record label, Death Row Records. The label’s flagship artist was Tupac Shakur, who was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in 1996.

Despite this tragedy, Death Row continued to be successful throughout the late 1990s, thanks to Dre’s production work on albums by Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

In 2001, Dre left Death Row and co-founded Interscope Records’ subsidiary label Aftermath Entertainment. He has since produced albums for a number of artists, including 50 Cent, Game, and Kendrick Lamar.

In addition to his work as a musician and producer, Dr. Dre is also known for his involvement in headphones and other audio products. In 2008, he founded Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine; the company was sold to Apple Inc. for $3 billion in 2014.

Tupac

Born in New York City, Tupac Shakur was one of the most iconic and influential rappers of the 1990s. He first rose to prominence with his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, which was released in 1991. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established Tupac as an important voice in the world of hip-hop.

Over the next few years, Tupac released several more albums that were both commercially successful and highly praised by critics. He also appeared in a number of films, including Juice (1992) and Poetic Justice (1993). In 1996, Tupac was shot and killed in Las Vegas, Nevada. His murder has never been solved.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. He first burst onto the scene in the early 90s with his debut album Doggystyle. This album was a huge success, both commercially and critically. It established Snoop as one of the premier rappers in the game. He has continued to release successful albums throughout his career and is widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all time.

The Boy Bands

There were many iconic boy bands of the 90s such as *NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, and One Direction. These bands dominated the charts and their music still holds up today. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest hits of the 90s from these boy bands.

New Kids on the Block

New Kids on the Block was an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 80 million records worldwide. They won two American Music Awards in 1990 for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album. The group disbanded in 1994, after which several attempts were made to get the group back together, all of them unsuccessful. In 2008, the group announced a reunion tour and new album entitled The Block.

Backstreet Boys

The BACKSTREET BOYS were one of the most successful pop groups of the late 1990s. They were originally from Orlando, Florida and rose to fame with their debut album, “Backstreet Boys” in 1996. The album featured the hit singles “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” and “As Long as You Love Me”, which both topped the charts in several countries.

The group’s follow-up album, “Backstreet’s Back”, was released in 1997 and was an even bigger success than their debut, selling over 14 million copies worldwide. It featured the hits “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and “All I Have to Give”. The group’s third album, “Millennium”, was released in 1999 and sold over 10 million copies. It featured the hits “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life”.

The group went on to release several more albums over the years, including “Black & Blue” (2000), “Never Gone” (2005), and “This Is Us” (2009). They have also embarked on several world tours, including the hugely successful “Backstreet Boys: Live in Tokyo” tour in 2011.

*NSYNC

*NSYNC was an American boy band that enjoyed great success during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group’s self-titled debut album was released in 1996 and quickly went platinum. Their next two albums, *NSYNC (1998) and No Strings Attached (2000), were also huge successes, making *NSYNC one of the most popular bands of the era. The group’s final album, Celebrity (2001), was also a success, but shortly after its release, *NSYNC went on hiatus. In 2005, the group announced that they had permanently disbanded.

During their tenure, *NSYNC was one of the most successful pop groups of all time; they sold over 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards. They were also nominated for six American Music Awards, winning three. The group remains popular in pop culture and their songs continue to be popular hits today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pop music of the 90s was a decade of great change and diversity. From the early days of grunge and alternative rock, to the rise of teen pop and boy bands, to the explosion of Hip Hop and R&B, the 90s were a time when anything and everything was possible in the world of pop music. The legacy of the 90s can still be seen and heard in today’s pop music landscape, and we can only imagine what the next decade will bring.