The Greatest Musical Artists of the '90s
An incredibly eclectic decade for music, the 1990s saw the rise in popularity of new genres and sounds never heard before (and rarely heard better). Bands of the '90s created a unique sound and catchy lyrics in a way that captured the enthusiasm and disillusionment of the era. The '90s bands and solo artists that populate this list cover all musical categories. If you're still feeling nostalgic, check out the best fictional '90s songs and the greatest one hit wonders of the '90s.
From the East Coast/West Coast rap wars, to the grunge era, to low-fi garage rock, to '90s rock bands, the Lilith Fair sound, and the teen pop takeover - 1990s music was rich with experimentation and style. Where else but in the MTV in your head can you find top artists like Nirvana, Wu-Tang Clan, No Doubt, A Tribe Called Quest, Oasis, Bikini Kill and Britney Spears in one place? Whether you were a fan of 90s alternative bands like Blind Melon, you were more dark and brooding and loved grunge music, or you couldn't get enough of popular, mainstream pop names like the Backstreet Boys, take a moment now and give some of your favorite '90s music artists some love! Who are the most famous '90s bands? Which '90s singers led their groups to become the among best of the decade?
Vote up your favorite '90s artists below, and be sure to vote based on the quality of their music rather than just their fame or social following.
- Nevermind, In Utero, MTV Unplugged in New York
- Superunknown, Badmotorfinger, Down on the Upside
- Dirt, Alice in Chains, Facelift
- Californication, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Stadium Arcadium
- Wasting Light, The Colour and the Shape, Foo Fighters
- Ten, Vs., Vitalogy
- Purple, Core, Tiny Music… Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop
- Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Oceania
- American Idiot, Dookie, 21st Century Breakdown
- A Night at the Opera, Queen, Innuendo
- Paul's Boutique, Licensed to Ill, Check Your Head
- Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, Metallica
- Ænima, Lateralus, 10
See: The Best Tool Songs
- Appetite for Destruction, G N' R Lies, Use Your Illusion I
- Sublime: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, 40oz. to Freedom, Sublime Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends
- Smash, Americana, The Offspring
- The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, With Teeth
- Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, Everybody Else Is Doing It
- Van Weezer, OK Human, Pinkerton
- Murmur, Green, Automatic for the People
- (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Definitely Maybe, Don’t Believe the Truth
See: The Best Oasis Songs
- Back in Black, Highway to Hell, Let There Be Rock
See: The Best AC/DC Songs
- Toxicity, Hypnotize, Mezmerize
See: The Best Korn Songs