Sounds and Styles: The 1990’s and 2000’s
The 1990’s brought new voices to the popular music arena. Groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam popularized the Seattle rock sound and “grunge” style. R & B singing groups such as Boyz II Men and TLC topped the charts along with solo singers such as Britney Spears, Paula Abdul, and Gloria Estefan. Hip-hop and rap music became more prominent, continuing traditions that began in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Groups such as N.W.A. and rap artists including Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. rose to prominence. Country juggernauts included Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. Superstars emerged in almost every musical genre. In the mid-1990’s, expanded access to the internet presented new ways to learn about new musicians and musical styles.
At the turn of the new century, technology and the internet influenced almost every aspect of the music industry. While TV and radio still played a role in promoting artists, the internet soon became the primary vehicle from which new artists were promoted. Social media was not prominent until around 2003, when MySpace and bands’ personal websites allowed musicians to post their music and videos online.
Genres spanned the spectrum, and musicians experimented with crossing genres and combining elements of rap, R & B, and rock. Some of the top-selling artists of the early 2000’s include rapper and hip-hop artist Jay-Z, songstresses Rhianna, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé, rappers Nelly and 50 Cent, and R & B singer Usher. TV shows such as “American Idol” followed in the traditions of the televised talent show “Star Search” from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Musicians of this era grappled with the challenges of new technology and the changing cultural climate. They faced new challenges such as the advent of music downloading sites, which allowed people to share and download songs without paying for them, and how to strike a balance between all the new social media and internet options available to connect with their fans. Boundaries became less clear as people had greater access to their favorite musicians.
Sounds and Styles: The 1990’s and 2000’s (audio and video)
Gloria Estefan: Turn the Beat Around (04:02)
Attribution: The Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/Gloria_Estefan_Turn_The_Beat_Around__
Attribution: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IA3ZvCkRkQ
