‘90s Three

During the ‘90s, significant events occurred as the world watched Sadam Husein’s invasion of Kuwait and the resultant Gulf War, as the World Wide Web was born and as the Americans With Disabilities Act became effective in 1990, along with the many happenings of the ‘90s decade. In the arena of music, there’s also a notable transformation that distinguished the music of the ‘90s. Among these, there are three.

First, rap music. The so called “old school” rap of the previous decades we defined as the sound formed by scratching vinyls and creating drum loops with singers rapping along the rhythms. During the ‘90s, Run DMC began the progression as they mingled solid guitars and hard line beats together with the founded sound of rap. Run DMC became the first hardcore rap group during this era of music. Scratching methods were substituted with sampling, and further artists such as Public Enemy emerged on the scene. Gangsta rap turned out to be the prevailing form with the likes of Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Puff Daddy (who later changed his name to Diddy then to P.Diddy) popularizing the style.

Second, alternative country. We all know about the mainstream country music sound, its distinct style and rhythm, with its hub in Nashville, Tennesssee. But during the ‘90s, a deviation from the general trend of country music occurred, and alternative country music existed. It portrays subdued, acoustic ballads with a distinct country flavor. “No Depression” became the primary label for this progressive alternative country spread, together with other names like ‘insurgent country’ and ‘Americana.’ The phrase “No Depression” was derived from Uncle Topelo’s debut album which initially featured this distinct sound. We can say that this band became the driving force of the whole alternative country music in the ‘90s.

Third, alternative rock music. Alternative rock music became one of the most progressive genres during the ‘90s. There is a range of musical styles within alternative rock, with artists existing either on independent labels or on the mainstream scene. But with the success of Nirvana in the ‘90s, alternative rock became firm as it included all of its sub-genres, and as independent artists became mainstream acts, with the already popular bands. Artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, REM, Radiohead, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, among others were the front liners of alternative rock during the ‘90s.