Popular music in the 1990s saw the continuation of teen pop and dance-pop trends which had emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Furthermore, hip hop grew and continued to be highly successful in the decade, with the continuation of the genre's golden age. Aside from rap, reggae, contemporary R&B and urban music in general remained extremely popular throughout the decade; urban music in the late-1980s and 1990s often blended with styles such as soul, funk and jazz, resulting in fusion genres such as new jack swing, neo-soul, hip hop soul and g-funk which were popular.
Similarly to the 1980s, rock music was also very popular in the 1990s, yet, unlike the new wave and glam metal-dominated scene of the time, grunge, Britpop, industrial rock and other alternative rock music emerged and took over as the most popular of the decade, as well as punk rock, ska punk and nu metal, amongst others, which attained a high level of success at different points throughout the years.
Electronic music, which had risen in popularity in the 1980s, grew highly popular in the 1990s; house and techno from the 1980s rose to international success in this decade, as well as new electronic dance music genres such as trance, happy hardcore, drum and bass, intelligent dance and trip hop.
In Europe, Eurodance, Bubblegum dance and Europop music were highly successful, while also finding some international success. The decade also featured the rise of contemporary country music as a major genre, which had started in the 1980s.
Alan Parsons is an English audio engineer, songwriter, musician, and record producer as well as his own group, the Alan Parsons Project.
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and widely regarded as the most influential acts of the rock era.
Beck Hansen, known by stage name Beck, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.
Montreal band, Blinker The Star were known for their heavy, ethereal, melancholic, brash and youthful style of alternative rock music
Blur are an English rock band, formed in London in 1988. The band helped establish the Britpop genre and achieved mass popularity in the UK.
Catherine Wheel were an English alternative rock band from Great Yarmouth, formed in 1990 and active until 2000.
Chrissie Hynde has one of the most distinctive voices in rock music and is best known as the founder of The Pretenders
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band who rose to international fame with their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Deepest Blue (Joel Edwards & Matt Schwartz) with their anthemic Ibiza-friendly sound quickly became a force on the U.K. dance music scene.
Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer-songwriter & record producer, his career began in London's pub rock scene during the 1970s.
Eric Clapton is an English rock & blues guitarist, singer & songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
George Michael was one of the most influential and successful British pop musicians who sadly died on Christmas Day 2016
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1986 by vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt.
Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Rolling Stone considers him one of the greatest singers of all time.
K.D Lang is that rare performer who, over 25 years has matured with a blend of country-rock stylings and playfully punk-like attitude.
Keith Richards is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member of the rock band The Rolling Stones.
The La's were an English rock band from Liverpool, active from 1983 until 1992 and ronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Lee Mavers.
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968 & considered one of the most innovative & influential rock bands in history.
Lenny" Kravitz's 'retro' style of music incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, reggae, hard rock, pop, folk & ballads.
Liam Gallagher is best known as the charismatic, self-assured front man of Manchester Britpop band Oasis.
Madonna transcended the term 'pop star' into a global icon & is regarded as the most influential female recording artist of all time.
Manchester is inextricably linked to its musical heritage. A city whose music is deeply rooted in its fabric
Over their career the Manic Street Preachers have headlined several festivals including Glastonbury, T in the Park, V Festival and Reading.
Marilyn Manson is an American musician, songwriter, actor, painter, singer, rapper, author, composer and former music journalist.
Max Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer & composer, generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history.
Morrissey is an English singer, songwriter & author, he rose to prominence as the lead singer of the indie rock band The Smiths.
Combining post-punk with an increasing influence from electronic dance music, New Order were one of the most influential bands of the 1980s.
Nigel Kennedy is a British violinist and violist & was Yehudi Menuhin’s most famous protégé, studying first at the Menuhin School.
Nirvana were an American rock music band formed by Kurt Cobain & Krist Novoselic, they were considered the 'flagship band' of Generation X.
Noel Gallagher is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians and the mastermind behind Britpop super group Oasis.
Oasis were an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band have sold over 70 million records worldwide.
Ozzy Osbourne is a singer, songwriter & television personality who rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath.
In the studio in Santa Monica, California in 1980, Bob Dylan is captured whilst leaning on his guitar case.
Sex Pistols on the set for the 'Pretty Vacant' video shoot at the ITN Studios, London in June 1977
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
The Stranglers are one of the most enduring bands to have come out of the punk scene with an uncompromising attitude and idiosyncratic style
Critics have called The Smiths the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
We are all still reeling from the tragic loss of David Bowie. Here is a wonderful tribute from one of our photographers, Mark Mawston.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
