Music of the 90s: foreign hits and best performers

The decade of the 90s remains one of the most vibrant and influential periods in music history. During this period, the industry underwent a remarkable transformation, marked by a variety of styles, innovative technologies and an unprecedented influence on global popular culture.

A symphony of grunge and rock, the era of boy bands, the rise of electronic music, and the rise of hip-hop – every musical corner of the 90s brought great hits that resonated in the hearts of millions of listeners around the world. In this article, we take a deep dive into the golden era of ’90s music, recalling and analyzing the most memorable and influential hits that shaped the sound and spirit of that unforgettable decade.

The best songs of the 90s: TOP 20 music hits

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991): Iconic rock hit, symbol of the grunge era.

Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time” (1998): Britney Spears’ debut single, which led to her global popularity.

Backstreet Boys – “I Want It That Way” (1999): One of the boy band’s most famous hits.

MC Hammer – “U Can’t Touch This” (1990): A catchy song with a prominent sample from Rick James’ “Super Freak”.

Spice Girls – “Wannabe” (1996): The Spice Girls’ debut single became an anthem for the female empowerment era.

R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion” (1991): The alternative hit that brought R.E.M. great success.

Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” (1992): A ballad from the movie “The Bodyguard” that became one of the most successful songs of all time.

Snap! – “Rhythm Is a Dancer” (1992): A Eurodance hit that remains popular to this day.

Ace of Base – “The Sign” (1993): The hit that made Ace of Base one of the most successful European bands of the time.

No Doubt – “Don’t Speak” (1996): An emotional ballad that became a symbol of the 90s.

Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” (1990): A rap hit that quickly became a worldwide phenomenon.

TLC – “Waterfalls” (1994): The iconic R&B group brought a mix of social themes and beautiful music to this track.

The Fugees – “Killing Me Softly” (1996): A cover version of a classic song that became a hit and took The Fugees to the next level.

Madonna – “Vogue” (1990): Pop diva Madonna brought house elements to music with this hit.

Hanson – “MMMBop” (1997): The infectious pop hit that made the Hanson brothers stars.

2Pac – “California Love” (1995): A rap anthem that became one of the most famous tracks of the 90s.

Shania Twain – “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (1999): Country-pop hit that became an anthem of girl power.

Blur – “Song 2” (1997): An energetic rock track often used in films and advertising.

Beastie Boys – “Sabotage” (1994): An energetic rap-rock hit for the Beastie Boys.

En Vogue – “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992): An R&B hit representing the girl group En Vogue in their prime.

These songs represent the diversity of musical styles and influences that characterized the 90s.

TOP 10 foreign music performers in the 90s

Selecting just ten artists representing the many genres and styles of the ’90s is a difficult task, given the richness of the period in music. However, here is a list of ten key artists whose creative contributions left an indelible mark on the music history of the 90s:

1. Nirvana: Grunge icon and representative of the alternative rock scene, Nirvana, represented by Kurt Cobain, became a symbol of the musical counterculture of the 90s.
2. Madonna: Queen of Pop Madonna not only defined the sound of this decade, but also set new standards in the visual arts and show business.
3. Tupac Shakur: Iconic hip-hop artist, Tupac, through his lyrics and image, has had a significant impact on hip-hop and culture as a whole.
4. Spice Girls: This British group dominated the pop music world in the ’90s, introducing elements of girl empowerment and dynamic pop hits.
5. R.E.M.: With their hit “Losing My Religion”, R.E.M. became an important part of the alternative rock scene and had a significant influence on the development of this genre.
6. Backstreet Boys: Waves of boy band mania hit them, and the Backstreet Boys became one of the most successful pop music groups of the 90s.
7. Alanis Morissette: Her album “Jagged Little Pill” was a landmark in rock and pop history, reflecting the power of the female gaze.

8.Dr. Dre: Producer, rapper and entrepreneur, Dr. Dre became a key figure in the development of hip-hop, including the release of his album “The Chronic”.

9. Mariah Carey: A consummate vocalist and songwriter, Mariah Carey dominated the charts with her many hits, fusing pop and R&B.
10. Beastie Boys: This group became a prominent representative of hip-hop culture, influencing its style and direction in the 90s.

These artists not only dominated their genres, but also had a significant impact on the culture and sound of the ’90s.

Music of the 90s: why it is still popular

The music of the 90s is characterized by many different styles and trends, covering everything from rock and pop to hip-hop and electronic music. Here are a few characteristics of the music of this decade that make it so unique and in demand:

1. Grunge and Alternative Rock: In the early 90s, grunge became a dominant genre with bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. These bands defined the sound of alternative rock, characterized by a raw sound, frequent use of distorted guitars and emotional lyrics.
2. Pop Music and Boy Bands: In the 90s, boy bands such as the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC became extremely popular. Pop music became more diverse and included various subgenres, including pop rock and pop rap.
3. Hip-Hop and R&B: This was the decade when hip-hop gained widespread recognition, with famous artists such as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan emerging. R&B also flourished with artists like Boyz II Men and TLC.
4. Electronic Music: The 90s were a period of growth for electronic music, with the development of genres such as techno, house and trance. Rave parties became a phenomenon of this time.
5. Post-Grunge and Alternative Music: By the end of the decade, the variety of alternative genres had expanded, with many bands emerging that mixed styles to create post-grunge, indie rock, and other subgenres.
6. Country and Pop Country: Musical artists such as Shania Twain and Garth Brooks helped country music gain popularity in the 90s.
7. Technological Innovation: Compact discs (CDs) became increasingly popular in the 1990s, significantly changing the way music was produced and consumed. Also, the spread of the Internet and digital technologies have become important factors for the music industry.
8. Influence of World Styles: Many artists began to incorporate elements of world music styles into their work, which promoted further cultural exchange and diversity in music.