The History of Rock and Pop

Music Part 5: The Rock and Pop

Renaissance of the 1990’s

Exquisite sounds, international popularity, creativity, and individual self-expression characterize the music of the 1990’s.
Nostalgia predominates this era of time in my life including other human beings’ lives from clothes, movies, fashion, and
the sense of excitement. Back in the 1990’s, I walked in parks, enjoyed playing games outsides, and lived a life filled with
adventure as a child. The essence of the pop and rock world back then included both an uplifting sound that appealed to
a wide spectrum of people including odes to past legendary artists. For example, Lauryn Hill and the Fugees gave an ode
to Roberta Flack during the 1990’s with their music. Also, we know of Mariah Carey’s music appealing to people globally
with songs like Hero, When You Believe (with Whitney Houston), My All, Fantasy, Vision of Love, One Sweet Day
(with Boyz II Men), and Love Takes Time. Rock artists (like REM, Kurt Kobain, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Metallica, Bon Jovi, etc.) saw renewed energy with music that didn’t just focus on flash but on self-reflection, philosophical
concepts, politics, and taking chords to the next level. R&B music excelled with a Dream Team level of icons presenting
outstanding messages like Monica, Brandy, Next, Deborah Cox, Whitney Houston, Jodeci, Dru Hill, 112, Total, En
Vogue, Brownstone, Faith Evans, Phyllis Hyman, Regina Belle, Tamia, CeCe Peniston, Chaka Khan, Ginuwine,
Aaliyah, and I list even more names. Hip Hop saw billions of dollars yearly as it has matured massively with Tupac, the
Notorious B.I.G., The Fugees, Outkast, the Roots, Scarface, Coolio, Nas, Jay Z, DMX, etc. Gospel music, Country
music, Reggae, and other genres reach new plateaus of influence and excellence. The music of the 1990’s included some
of the best music off all time. It was the music of a large portion of my childhood indeed.
This was when Janet Jackson was at
a Virgin Records Party during the
1990’s. By the 1990’s, Janet Jackson The Table of Contents
was already an international musical
icon.
1. Epilogue

“Competition is great. And

2. The Early 1990’s Music
as long as it’s friendly and
not a malicious thing, then 3. The Mid to Late 1990’s
I think it’s cool.”
4. 1999 and the Pop
“I can be happy with who I
am, not what I should be, Explosion
or what I might have been,
or what someone tells me I 5. Epilogue
must be.”
-Janet Jackson

Fashion has always been part of

Janet Jackson’s legacy along with
music, philanthropy, acting, and
loving family, friends including
her fans.
I'm an older Millennial (born in 1983), so I
always have had a fondness of the 1990's. The
1990's saw the end of the Cold War and the
expansion and technological and musical
developments. It was a time when historic shows
and movies existed (like Roc, Martin, Moesha,
Living Single, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Seal’s album of Toni Braxton’s The images above
Malcolm X, Seinfeld, Living Single, etc.), and Seal in 1994 album of Secrets showed a rare 1998
caused his in 1996 had music interview among Mel
the discussion of race plus other social issues career to rise that I remembered B (who made her
were more out in public. The rock and pop into a greater during the solo music like I
music of the 1990's saw a golden age of groups trajectory with Summer of 1996. I Want You Back in
ballads, heard many of the 1998) and musical
relying on the past and present to establish hits. harmonies, and songs from the icon Prince. Prince
The pop music culture especially saw a golden philosophical album a lot in and Mel B have a
songs. Kiss from 1996 indeed. It funny and serious
age. Many musical trends saw soul, funk, and a Rose, Prayer sold over 15 conversation of life,
jazz being fused to form new jack swing, neo- for the Dying, million copies. music, and the
soul, hip-hop soul, and g-funk. Rock music saw Newborn Secrets had R&B importance of
Friend, and I’m and soul to the creative expression.
peak level alternative music along with punk Alive were fullest.
rock, ska punk, and nu-metal. Artists like Pearl classic songs of
his album.
Jam, Nirvana, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers,
No Doubt, Goo Goo Dolls, Stone Temple
Pilots, 4 Non Blondes, Beck, Sublime, Creed, and other rock groups have shown diverse sounds
with the same goal of promoting musical expression in being personal. R&B music saw another
Golden Age of some of the best music in human history from the 1990's. I can go down the list.
Artists like Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Zhane, Brownstone, TLC, Soul 2 Soul,
Boyz 2 Men, Blackstreet, Aaliyah, En Vogue, Monica, Lauryn Hill, 702, Mariah Carey, and other
R&B icons shown out to display musical excellence. Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Alanis
Morissette, Tori Amos, Dionne Farris, Dionne Farris, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jewel, Natalie
Merchant, Gabrielle, and Sheryl Crow saw the growth of women artists (of every color) promoting
their styles. This is great, because women have every right to tell the world their own stories on
their own terms.

Hip hop in the 1990's saw an expansion of power with corporations taking a more vested interest
in the art form. Artists like Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Salt n Pepa, Master P,
the Hot Boyz, The Ghetto Boys, Canibus, LL Cool J, Ice T, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Coolio, The Fugees,
 Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, and other hip-hop
musicians were highly influential during the 1990's. The
hip hop of the early to mid-1990's was different than the
hip hop of the late 1990's, but they were similar in how
they wanted to show multifaceted stories of the human
experience. The 1990's was a decade when individuality in
music was celebrated in a passionate fashion, and the
experience of human life (filled with joy, imperfections,
e rock and roll band Rage Against pain, and triumphs) was eloquently displayed in a myriad
the Machine talked about the social and of musical genres as well (including gospel music with Kurt
political issues like the old school Franklin, Yolanda Adams, BeBe and CeCe Winans, the
musicians before them. ey are based Mississippi Mass Choir, etc.). There was further
in Los Angeles, California with a very popularity of electronic music and house plus techno
powerful sound and relevant lyrics to music throughout the 1990's. Music from Corona (in the
this day. Rhythm of the Night), Deborah Cox (in Sentimental), and
Foo Fighters (Flying) always has a resonance with people.
The third-wave ska and wing revival was known along with the merging of pop with country (shown
by artists like Garth Brooks and Shania Twain). The internet helped to expand music during the
1990's along with digital technology. By the end of the 1990's, we saw the teenage pop group expand
with artists like the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 Degrees, The Spice Girls, Hanson, Britney Spears,
Christina Aguilera, etc. Most of my childhood existed during the 1990's as I was 7 in 1990 and 16
in 1999. To me, the 1990's was a special decade with some of the most impactful, greatest music of
all time.

In 1999, MTV interviewed Lil Kim, Aaliyah, Missy
Elloit, and Da Brat about music, refuting false
stereotypes about women, their future plans, living a
legacy as human beings.
Time Flies. This year is the 25th
anniversary of the TLC album of
Fanmail which came out in 1999 also. I
was 16 years old in 1999 during the end
of the 20th century. T Boz, Lisa “Left
Eye” Lopes, and Chili were icons of
music.
 The Early 1990's Music
During the 1990's, music was changing to become more introspective. By January 1990, Phil Collins's
song of Another Day in Paradise was his seventh United States number-one single. Collins was part of
the group of Genesis. The song talked about the issue of homelessness from his fourth solo album called
But Seriously. That album was number one in both America and the UK being 4 times platinum in
America. The American rock singer and songwriter Michael Bolton goes in the pop direction with his
first U.S. hit of the song How Am I Supposed to Live Without You. It was the number 3 song in UK.
This song is from his 6th album of Soul Provider, and it would exist to be 6 times platinum. I remember
the song of Opposites Attract from Paula Abdul (who is from San Fernando, California. She is a
Sephardi Jewish American). This song is related to her singers called The Wild Pair. Her album Forever
Your Girl went 7 times platinum in America. The debut album of the Black Crowes (from Marietta,
Georgia) rock group is called Shake Your Money Maker. The album sold over 5 million copies in
America. By March 1990, Janet Jackson had the second of four #1 US singles from her fourth album
Rhythm Nation 1814 with the song "Escapade" #17 UK. The up-tempo song is Jackson's sixth consecutive
#1 single on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart. The album has gone on to sell over twelve million copies
worldwide. I remember the song of Escapade (with Janet Jackson presenting exceptionally talent dance
moves throughout the song’s music video) very well when I was in elementary school. Gloria Estefan
had the son of Here We Are at the same time. Her album back then was Cuts Both Ways. Gloria Estefan
took a year to recover after being critically injured with a fractured spine when a semi collided with her
tour bus during a snowstorm in Pennsylvania. By March 1990, Biz Markie had Just a Friend and Alannah
Myles had the song Black Velvet (being a homage of Elvis Presley). New York singer songwriter Taylor
Dayne has her sixth US Top Ten single in a row and first US #1 with "Love Will Lead You Back" written
by Diane Warren. The song is from Dayne's second album Can't Fight Fate which charts at #25 US and
goes double Platinum. It would be Dayne's only #1 hit. This was in April 1990.

At the same time, the Dublin, Ireland singer songwriter Sinead O'Connor hits #1 in the US and UK
with the single "Nothing Compares 2 U", a song written by Prince. The video for the song with closeups
of O’Connor’s face is an MTV hit. The track is from her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven't
Got #1 US and UK. When I was a child, there was the Manchester, England singer, songwriter Lisa
Stansfield's second single as a solo artist "All Around The World" hits #1 in both the US and UK. The
song is from her first solo album Affection #2 UK, #9 US. Stansfield began her career after winning the
television competition Search For A Star. This was in April 1990. The Toronto, Canada singer Jane
Child had the popular song Don't Wanna Fall in Love at the same time.

By April of 1990, Long Island, New York hip hop group Public Enemy release their third album Fear of
A Black Planet and the album reached #10 US, #4 UK on Def Jam. The critically acclaimed album is
propelled by the singles "Fight The Power" and "Welcome To The Terror dome" and eventually reaches
Platinum status. Public Enemy, Paris, Arrested Development, and other groups were part of the new
school movement of conscious hip-hop artists talking about real social and political issues (like opposing
racism, resisting police brutality, disagreeing with economic exploitation, and wanting real change in
society). By May of 1990, Madonna had the song of Vogue. It popularized the house-style dance style of
voguing to mainstream America. The song's stylish black & white video inspired by the 1920's and 1930's
is a big hit on MTV. The song is from the soundtrack album I'm Breathless, #2 US and UK. Voguing is
not new, and it wasn't invented by Madonna. We have to make that point very clear. It was invented by
Black and Latino people in the drag, ballroom, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Josephine Baker and
Grace Jones did that style of dancing too for years and decades. By 1990, Madonna evolved to show more
controversial music videos. An alternative rock band from Hollywood California named Concrete
Blonde had the album of Bloodletting.

Ice Cube (formerly of N.W.A.) had his debut solo debut album Amerikkka's Most Wanted which charts
at #19 US, #6 US R&B. The album's title track hits #1 US Rap and #76 UK. Ice Cube would go on to
release ten albums alongside developing a successful acting career. That was in May of 1990. Former
New Edition members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, performing as Bel Biv DeVoe
(which is a new jack swing group), hit #3 US, #19 UK with "Poison." The song is the title track from
their debut album which hits #5 US, #35 UK on the way to going 4X Platinum in the US. The album's
second single "Do Me!" also hits #3 US. That was in June 1990. In that same time, the California vocal
trio Wilson Phillips made up of sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson,
together with Chynna Phillips daughter of John and Michelle Phillips, hit #1 US, #6 UK with their
debut single "Hold On." Their self-titled debut album hits #2 US, #7 UK. The Swedish duo Roxette
with the song of It Must Have Been Love and MC Hammer had the song of Can't Touch This in June
1990. MC Hammer had a pop rap style that was controversial to some back then, but it is more respected
now. Mc Hammer had dance moves, baggy pants, and an energy that inspired audiences. Lightning Seeds
was a rock band with the song Pure and New Kids on the Block (a Boston young band) had the song of
Step by Step. The Belleville, Illinois band of Uncle Tupelo had their debut album called No Depression
in June 1990. The group had promoted the alternative country genre, or a mix of country and alternative
rock called Americana. The Oakland, California R&B iconic group of En Vogue released the song Hold
On. The song is from the group's debut album Born To Sing #21 US, #3 US R&B and #23 UK which
goes Platinum in the US. The album produces three US #1 R&B singles. En Vogue helped to make R&B
in the 1990's what it is. Hold On was number one in the U.S. at Billboard and Number one in U.S. R&B
music. En Vogue were truly born to sing indeed. Pantera, Depeche Mode, and Soup Dragon released
songs.

By August of 1990, the Long Island, New York singer-songwriter Mariah Carey hit #1 US, #7 UK with
her first single "Vision Of Love." The song is from her self-titled debut album which went to #1 US, #6
UK, going on to sell 15 million copies worldwide. Three more songs from the album also reach #1 US.
Mariah Carey is another legend of music. Her parents were Afro-Venezuelan and white. The German
Eurodance group called Snap! had the song of The Power with U.S. rapper Turbo B and singer Penny
Ford. It was a very popular song, and their World Power album selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Stevie Ray Vaughan was tragically killed in a helicopter crash after a concert at Alpine Valley Music
Theater in Troy, Wisconsin. Alice in Chains had their debut album Facelift as they promoted metal and
grunge music. Jon Bon Jovi had his album Blaze of Glory along with bans of Nelson and Faith No More.
Show Me Heaven is a famous song by Maria McKee. Los Angeles based singer songwriter James Ingram
tops the US charts with "I Don't Have The Heart" from his third album It's Real. Ingram had previously
found success with duets including "Baby, Come To Me" #1 US with Patti Austin and "Somewhere Out
There" #2 US with Linda Ronstadt. The Charlatans had their debut album called Some Friendly. The
song of Close to You was made by London reggae vocalist Maxi Priest. The track is from Priest's fifth
album Bonafide which charts at #11 UK, #47 US. Priest had previously reached #5 UK in 1988 with his
cover of the 1970 Cat Stevens hit "Wild World." By November of 1990, Vanilla Ice had his song of Ice
Ice Baby. Alias, Warrant, and Stevie B had music. The ode to disco happened with the New York City
house/techno group Dee-Lite hit #4 US, #2 UK, #1 US Dance with their debut single "Groove Is In The
Heart" (with the guitarist Bootsy Collins) helped by heavy rotation for the song's colorful video on MTV.
The song Groove in Your Heart is from the group's debut album World Clique #20 US, #14 UK which
goes Gold. The 1990's celebrated disco and 1970's culture in general. London, England production team
DNA remix folk singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega's 1982 song "Tom's Diner" and have a surprise hit,
reaching #2 UK and #5 US. The upbeat remix also charts in the Top Ten in both the Hip Hop and
Modern Rock charts in the US.

By January of 1991, Madonna's Justify My Love song was popular. It came out in late 1990 and caused
controversy over the contents of the video (filled with sadomasochism, voyeurism, cross-dressing, and
bisexuality). Back then, America was much more conservative, so even MTV once banned the music
video of Justify My Love. This song was part of Madonna's ninth American number-one single and
number 2 in the UK. By May of the same year, her Truth or Dare movie was released documenting her
1990 tour. The UK metal band Iron Maiden had music. The popular song of C&C Music Factory of
Gonna Make You Sweat was a number one hit in America (when I was in elementary school, I remember
that song on the radio and on TV vividly). It had vocals from Martha Wash, a very underrated singer
with an outstanding voice. The song had the rapper Freedom Williams on it. The dance song was part
of their first album going 5 times platinum in America.

Janet Jackson in that time of early 1991 had her fifth US #1 single with "Love Will Never Do (Without
You)" the seventh single from her 1989 #1 album Rhythm Nation 1814. In March, Janet Jackson signed a
deal with Virgin Records for over $30 million, making her the highest-paid recording artist at the time.
Music from Chris Iaak and The KLF had songs going onward in society. In March of 1991, Long Island,
New York singer Mariah Carey had her third US #1 single in a row with "Someday" from her self-titled
debut album. She would repeat at #1 again in May with "I Don't Want To Cry" making it four #1 singles
from her debut album. The album is the best-selling of the year in the US. Mariah Carey was an icon
from the start of her career, to be honest. She is one of the best vocalists of our generation period. By
March of 1991, the Nielsen Soundscan was introduced. This was done to promote a more accurate
method of collecting music sales data from over 14,000 stores in America. Before, data was collected by
phone surveys of records retailers which was subject to error and potential fraud. Billboard began using
the data in the November 1991 charts. Sacramento, California rock band Tesla released a live acoustic
album Five Man Acoustical Jam #12 US, featuring cover songs and acoustic versions of their own songs.
Tesla's cover of "Signs", a #3 US hit in 1970 for Canadian group Five Man Electrical Band, hits #8 US.
This was in April 1991.

British/American dance pop group Londonbeat hit #1 in the US, #2 UK with the single "I've Been
Thinking About You". The retro/soul style single is from the band's second album In The Blood which
reaches #21 US, #34 UK. This is the group's only Top Ten single (in April 1991). I remember Amy Grant
with the song Baby, Baby before that was popular in April 1991. Amy Grant was from Nashville,
Tennessee who sang contemporary Christian pop music. Amy Grant had the album Heart in Motion.
That album went 5 times platinum. By May of 1991, the Compton, California hip hop group of N.W.A.
had their 2nd and final album of N___z4Life that hit number one in America. The original member of
Ice Cube had already left the group (over financial issues. Ice Cube accused Jerry Heller of promoting
faulty music contracts. Heller denied this allegation to his death), and Dr. Dre would soon leave to
promote the album's release to form Death Row Records. The Sydney, Australia rock group the Divinyls
hit #4 US, #10 UK with the provocative single "I Touch Myself.” The song is from the band's self-titled
fourth album which charts at #15 US, #59 UK. The band would release only one more album in 1996
before calling it quits (in May of 1991). Cher by May of 1991 had her number one UK hit of The Shoop
Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) from the film Mermaids. The song is a cover of Betty Everett's 1964 hit of
the same name. It reached number six in America. "Kiss Them For Me", an ode to Hollywood actress
Jayne Mansfield, becomes the first and only US Top 40 single for veteran UK group Siouxsie And The
Banshees at #23 US, #32 UK. The song also hits #1 US Alternative and #8 US Dance. The track is from
the band's ninth studio album Superstition. Extreme was a rock group from Malden, Massachusetts with
a hit too called More than Words. Oklahoma City, OK R&B band Color Me Bad hit #1 UK, #2 US with
their first single "I Wanna Sex You Up" from the film New Jack City. The song is from their debut album
CMB which produces two more US #1 singles, charting at #3 in both the US and UK and going triple
Platinum in the US (Ice Cube promoted the group in June of 1991). Alternative rock legends of R.E.M.
had their song Losing My Religion. The group is from Athens, Georgia, and the song is part of their 7th
album called Out of Time. It tops American and UK charts going 4 times Platinum. R.E.M. would be
the spokesperson for tons of alternative bands talking about social issues and the philosophies of living
life.

Right Here, Right Now is an anthem of the 1990's done by the Bradford-On-Avon, England alternative
rock band Jesus Jones. The song was a worldwide hit single being #2 in the US and #31 in the UK. The
song focuses on current events of the time like perestroika and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The song is
from the band's second album Doubt #1 UK #25 US. The soundtrack of the movie Robinhood: Prince
of Thieves had the song of Everything I Do I Do It for You by Bryan Adams from July of 1991. It was
seven weeks at Number One in America and 16 weeks atop the UK singles charts. Bristol, UK band
Massive Attack released their debut album Blue Lines which charts at #13 UK. The album pioneers a
mix of hip-hop and electronica now referred to as "trip hop" and proved popular in the club scene and
on college radio. The band would record four more albums including two UK #1's. Massive Attack was
like the Linkin Park of the early 1990's. Metallica released their 5th self-titled album in August of 1991.
Grunge and more rock bands increased their influence with Pearl Jam's debut album by August 1991
and New York City rock band Spin Doctors debut albums. California Latino American hip hop group
Cypress Hill released their self-titled debut album #31 US, #81 UK. The album's double-sided lead single
hits #1 on the US Rap chart. The album goes double Platinum in the US and Gold in the UK. This was
in August of 1991. Alternative bands like Blur and Toad The Wet Sprocket existed with music. Blur's
music started the 90's Brit-Pop movement. The third album, Ropin' The Wind, by Oklahoma country
singer Garth Brooks enters the US charts at #1 with advance shipments of four million copies. This is
the first country album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album goes 10X Platinum
in the US. Garth Brooks started the new generation of new-school country musicians with a country
mixed with a large audience (filled with country, rock, and pop fans). The Philadelphia R&B group of
Boyz II Men have their first single of Motownphilly. The song is from the group's debut album
CooleyHighHarmony #3 US, #7 UK. The album generated four US Top Five hits including "End Of
The Road" which tops both the US and UK singles charts.

Aberdeen, Washington rock group Nirvana released their second album Nevermind and it was a Suprise
hit, with the album reaching #1 US and #7UK in January 1992. The album would go on to sell over 30
million copies, driving alternative rock and "grunge" into the mainstream. Seattle, Washington grunge
band Soundgarden released their third album Badmotorfinger and reached #39 in both the US and UK.
The band receives MTV play for "Rusty Cage" and "Outshined", but MTV bans the video for "Jesus
Christ Pose." The album eventually goes double Platinum. Veteran blues guitarist, singer, songwriter
Bonnie Raitt has her first and only US Top Ten hit with the single "Something To Talk About" #5 US.
The song is from Raitt's eleventh album Luck Of The Draw which hit #2 US and went on to sell over
seven million copies. I remember that song Something to Talk About as a child. Los Angeles hard rock
band Guns N' Roses released their third and fourth albums Use Your Illusion l and ll. The albums chart
at #2 and #1 respectively in both the US and UK. Both albums go 7X Platinum in the US. The single
"November Rain" hits #3 US, #4 UK. By October 1991, Ice Cube released his 2nd solo album of Death
Certificate. It sold over 1 million copies in America, being the 2nd highest album in America. The single
of Steady Mobbin' was number 3 in the Rap charts and Number 30 in the R&B charts. Cube around this
time had his acting debut in the classic, successful movie Boyz 'n The Hood, which was directed by the
late, great John Singleton. Dorchester, Massachusetts hip hop group Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch
hit #1 US, #14 UK with their debut single "Good Vibrations". The song is from their debut album Music
For The People which also contains the #10 US single Wildside. After two LP's Mark Wahlberg moves
on to acting. By that time in October 1991, East Orange, New Jersey hip hop trio Naughty By Nature
have a US Top Ten hit single with "O.P.P." #6 US, #35 US which samples the 1970 Jackson Five hit
"ABC". The song is from the group's self-titled debut album which hits #16 US and goes Platinum. The
group Naughty by Nature had previously recorded as The New Style. Prince had The Power Generation
as his new band. He had a hit song called Cream. By November of 1991, Freddie Mercury passed away
from complications relating to AIDS. Two days before his passing, Mercury told the press about his
AIDS diagnosis. His vocals would be released on Queen's last album of Made in Heaven being released
in 1995.
Dublin, Ireland rock band U2 reveal a new direction on their seventh album Achtung Baby! #1 US, #2
UK. Working with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, the group reinvents their sound with EDM
and industrial influences. Six singles have been released including Top Ten hits "One" and "Mysterious
Ways." Jersey City, New Jersey hip hop duo PM Dawn top the US charts with the single "Set Adrift On
Memory Bliss" #3 UK. The hypnotic song is built on a sample of Spandau Ballet's 1983 hit "True." The
song is from the group's debut album which charts at #48 US and #8 UK. PM Dawn merged hip hop
with R&B style. By November of 1991, hip-hop artist and songwriter Tupac Shakur released his debut
album 2Pacalypse Now on Interscope Records. With lyrics focusing on social issues such as poverty,
police brutality, and racism the album peaks at #64 US and #13 US R&B/Hip Hop on it's way to going
Gold. This was the beginning of Tupac's extensive, complex, and influential life as the most influential
hip hop artist in human history. By December 1991, Michael Jackson would make history again. By this
time, Michael Jackson was an icon of music. He signed with Sony for a record $65 million in March. He
has the hit of Black and White being number one in America and in the UK. It was Michael Jackson's
12th US #1 single as a solo artist and is from his eighth album Dangerous which sells 32 million copies
and hits #1 in both the US and UK. Black and White was a song that opposed racial prejudice and
wanted respect and harmony to be the order of the day among the human family.

By January 1992, the grunge anthem of Smells like Teen Spirit by Nirvana took the world by storm.
Nirvana combined alternative and grunge music elements together. It was shown heavily on MTV. The
London alternative duo of Shakespear Sisters had the hit of Stay. The duo is comprised of former
Banarama singer Siobhan Fahey and American Marcella Detroit. I remember the song from Shanice
called I Love Your Smile. Shanice was based in Los Angeles, and she was a singer and songwriter. The
song "I Love Your Smile" was #2 in both the US and UK. The song is from her second album Inner Child
which goes Gold in the US and charts at #83 US, #24 UK. Shanice would win a Grammy for Best Female
R&B Performance for this song. Right Said Fred by February 1992 had the song of I'm Too Sexy. The
Los Angeles rock band Mr. Big had the song of To Be With You. By March 1992, Vanessa Williams had
a major comeback with the song Save the Best for Last. Vanessa Williams has been an actress, singer,
and former Miss America winner for years. The song Save the Best for Last was from her 2nd album
called The Comfort Zone which went triple platinum in America. The songs from that album like The
Comfort Zone and Work (its music video featured Vanessa Williams dancing along with other dancers
like the actress Elise Neal) represent her versatile legacy as an artist. More music came from White
Zombie and Bruce Springsteen. Veteran UK singer/songwriter and guitarist Eric Clapton has the
biggest single of his career with the acoustic ballad "Tears In Heaven" #2 US, #5 UK. The song was
written for the film Rush and is included on Clapton's Unplugged album. The lyrics are influenced by
the death of his 4-year-old son Conor.
 Celine Dion
A Humble Vocalist from Canada

La bonne musique
Celine Dion achieved international success by the late
inspirera toujours
1980’s and the early 1990’s. After over three decades of
showing music to the world, it is important to outline her
les ames.
legacy as a vocalist. She was born in Charlemagne, Quebec,
Canada. She was raised in a large family. Her manager and
late husband Rene Angelil discovered her. She won the 1988
Eurovision Song Contest with the song of Ne partez pas
sans moi (which means Don’t Leave Without Me). Her first
English album was Unison in 1990. The Colour of My Love
in 1993 and Falling into You in 1996 caused her to reach
into new heights of prominence. Many of her famous songs
were The Power of Love, Falling Into You, When I Fall in
Love, A New Day, Taking Chances, Courage, etc. Celine
Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton
of the 1990’s shaped how many pop artists sing in the 21st
century. The 1990’s was certainly a blessing for me and
other human beings who lived during that inspirational
decade. Celine Dion (who does pop, R&B, chanson, soft
rock, and other genres of music) is a well-known
philanthropist send aid and support for the victims of the
Hurricane Katrina, helping children, fighting for
HIV/AIDS activism, and being a member of Canadian
charity of Artists against Racism. By the 2020’s, she is
fighting a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome.
We wish her well in her life.
Groups like Def Leppard, L7, and the Pavement released their own albums during the Spring of 1992 as
well. Wish was the UK alternative band The Cure's 9th album. It was number one in America and
number 2 in the UK. The album was their best-selling album, going platinum. Friday I'm in Love was
one of their singles. Annie Lennox had her debut album as Diva. She is from Scotland and was in the
group of the Eurythmics. Her singles on it were Why, Walking on Broken Glass, etc. The 1992 parody
film of Wayne's World celebrated rock music. KWS was a group with the cover of KC and The Sunshine
Band hit of Please Don't go. The Oakland, California based vocal R&B group En Vogue released their
song of My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It). It had harmonies and classic sounds from their 3 times
platinum album of Funky Diva. This was in May of 1992. En Vogue placed a huge foundation for future
R&B groups from SWV to Brownstone to outline their music to the globe. Los Angeles funk rock band
Red Hot Chili Peppers break into the mainstream with the ballad "Under The Bridge" #2 US, #13 UK.
The song is the second single from their smash album Blood Sugar Sex Magik which reaches #3 US, #25
UK and goes 7X Platinum in the US. The Atlanta-based hip hop duo of Kris Kross had the hit of Jump
working with hip hop artist and producer Jermaine Dupri. The song was recorded in 1991. It's found in
their album Totally Krossed Out. The Lemonheads, Sophie B, and more artists expressed themselves.
Sir Mx a Lot had the July 1992 song of Baby Got Back. That song reflected an ode to the phenotype of
curvy women, especially of black women.

The conscious hip hop group Arrested Development had their hit of Tennessee. Their debut album 3
Years, 2 Days In The Life Of charting at #7 US, #3 UK and going 4X Platinum in the US. Billy Ray
Cyrus had the song Achy Breaky Heart, and he was from Kentucky. Medgadeth and Sonic Youth showed
music. By August of 1992, Boyz II Men solidified their iconic status with their song of End of the Road.
It was number one in America and in the UK. August 1992 saw the rise of TLC in the mainstream arena.
TLC is an R&B group with T-Boz from Iowa, Left Eye from Philadelphia, and Chili from Georgia. All
of them moved to live in Atlanta. Baby Baby Baby was a hit #2 US, #1 US R&B with their second single
"Baby-Baby-Baby". It is the group's second consecutive Top Ten hit from their debut album
Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip which goes 4X Platinum in the US. The song would be the #5 best
seller in the US for 1992. Also, TLC was a group that had swag from New Jack Swing as its music was a
mixture of R&B and hip hop.

The Frankfurt, Germany Eurodance group Snap! hit #1 UK and #5 US with the club hit "Rhythm Is A
Dancer." The dance favorite is from the groups second album The Madman's Return which goes Top
Ten in the UK, but only reaches #121 in the US. Kennesaw, Georgia hard rock band Jackyl released their
self-titled debut album on Geffen Records. The album reaches #76 US and eventually goes Platinum.
The band's debut single is "The Lumberjack" a song featuring the novelty of a chainsaw solo. By
September of 1992, we witnessed groups like The Shamen, Screaming Trees, Sloan, House of Pain (with
Jump Around), Patty Smyth, Don Henley, Stone Temple Pilots, and Bobby Brown showing their songs
and albums. By October of 1992, Madonna released her fifth album of Erotica. The music video of
Erotica was filled with free expression, sexual acts, nudity, and celebrity guests (from Kane to Naomi
Campbell). She also released her photo book called Sex being filled with nudity, erotica, and romantic
images. Madonna was born to be expressive and controversial, to be honest. Deeper and Deeper and
Erotica were singles part of the albums. The theme song for the American television show The Heights
hits #1 US. The song, "How Do You Talk To An Angel", features actor Jamie Walters as lead singer with
other cast members singing back up. The series is canceled one week after the song hits #1. By November
1992, American R&B singer Whitney Houston has her tenth US #1 single with "I Will Always Love You."
The song is from the film soundtrack for The Bodyguard, Houston's first major acting role. The song is
a cover of Dolly Parton's 1974 #1 US Country hit. Houston's
Classic Early 1990’s R&B Songs
version goes on to sell over 8 million copies in the US.
Whitney Houston had a one-in-a-lifetime singing voice. She is
the greatest vocalist of our generation and among the top 5
greatest vocalists of all time (along with Mahalia, Donna,
Aretha, and other human beings). Los Angeles rock band
Rage Against The Machine released their debut album on
Epic Records. Mixing rap vocals, heavy metal, and politics, Toni Braxton’s Another Sad Song
(1993)
the album charts at #45 US and #17 UK. The album's lead
single "Killing In The Name" gets strong rock radio play and
the LP goes 3X Platinum.

New York singer songwriter Mary J. Blige scores her first US

Top Ten hit with the single "Real Love" #2 US, #1 US R&B.
It is the second single from her debut album What's The 411? Shai’s Baby I’m Yours (1992)
which reaches #6 US and goes Triple Platinum. The first
single "You Remind Me" also goes to #1 on the US R&B chart.
This was in December of 1992. 1992 was the year when the
1990's established itself as its own decade. It was the start of a
new wave of music that defended the golden age of the 1990's
in terms of music and culture. Like TLC, Mary J. Blige came Jade’s Don’t Walk Away (1992)
out to embrace a new jack swing style mixing R&B and hip
hop. She would go on to show anthems about the struggles
and joy of women indeed.

Mariah Carey’s Dreamlover (1993)

Gabrielle’s Dreams (1993)

Here is En Vogue at the Seventh Annual Soul Train Music

Awards in 1993. These women are Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron,
Maxine Jones, and Dawn Robinson.
By 1993, music had changed massively. We saw hip-hop, new jack swing, R&B, rock, and other forms of
music dominating the charts. By January of 1993, we saw the growth of the Washington D.C. R&B vocal
group Shai hit #2 US with their debut single "If I Ever Fall In Love." The song is from their debut album
of the same name which goes Triple Platinum. The album contains two other US Top Ten singles "Baby
I'm Yours" and "Comforter" both of which reach #10 US. The Harlem, New York City new jack swing
group of Wreckx-N-Effect had their hit. Their music was produced by new jack swing innovator Teddy
Riley, brother of group member Markell Riley. London post-punk veterans called "The The" had #2 UK
hit with their fourth album Dusk. Founded by Matt Johnson guitars and vocals, the group's members
change often with Johnson as the only constant member. The album's lead single "Dogs of Lust" hits #24
UK and #2 on the US Modern Rock chart. Rhode Island alternative band Belly released their debut
album Star which charts at #59 US, #2 UK, selling over half a million copies in the US. The single "Feed
The Tree" reached #95 US and #1 US Modern Rock. Singer Tanya Donelly had previously been in
Throwing Muses and The Breeders. By February of 1993, Radiohead had their debut album called Pablo
Hony on EMI. The group were from the UK. By February of 1993, Tupac Shakur released his 2nd album
called Strictly for My N______ on Interscope Records. The album was about his experiences, politics,
the streets, and other issues. The album charts at #4 R&B/Hip Hop and #24 US Billboard 200 on it's
way to going to US Platinum. The singles "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up" hit #11 and #12
respectively in the US.

This was a new era in Tupac Shakur's life after being beaten by the police, showing movies, and a growth
of his popularity. Amherst, Massachusetts alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. released their fifth album
Where You Been and reached #50 US, #10 UK. The video for the album's lead single "Start Choppin'"
does well on MTV and the song hits #3 on the US Modern Rock chart and #20 UK. There was the song
"Informer" which was done by the artist Snow. When I was in the 4th grade of elementary school, I
remember that song very well. It was popular in March of 1993. The artist's real name is Darrin O'Brien,
and he is from Toronto, Canada. His album was platinum in America.
 “Love is the most
powerful energy there is.”
Lenny Kravitz is here
performing the song of “No matter how
American Woman in
1999. This song was an sophisticated the style or
ode to the original song
from the Who, who elegant the setting, soul is
released the song of the
same name in 1970. I am the bottom line.”
an African American, so
American women -Lenny Kravitz
represent intelligence,
beauty, and resiliency.

Brother Lenny Kravitz is almost 60 years
old now. For rock and roll, he is an
innovator and a modern-day icon. He
also participated in soul, blues, funk
reggae, R&B, hard rock, folk, pop,
psychedelic, and other genres of music
for over three decades now. He is a
singer, songwriter, record producer, and
actor. Lenny Kravitz was born in New York
City. His father was the NBC television
news producer Sy Kravitz, and his mother
was Roxie Roker (who is of African
American and Afro-Bahamian descent).
He is the 2nd cousin of Al Roker. Lenny
Kravitz attended church when he was 13
years old. He attended P.S. 6 elementary
school in the Upper East Side of
Manhattan. Also, he spent weekends at
his grandmother Bessie’s house in the
Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of
Brooklyn.
Kravitz banged on pots and pans in
the kitchen to show music. He
studied the drums and the guitar at a
young age. He studied everything
from R&B, jazz, classical, opera,
gospel, the blues, etc. Kravitz saw the
Jackson 5 perform at Madison
Square Garden (and his father was a
friend to the jazz icons like Duke
Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Count
Basie, Ella Fitzgerald Bobby Short,
Miles Davis, etc.). Lenny Kravitz
worked hard to play the piano and
bass. By the late 1980’s, he had the
song Let Love Rule which was
groundbreaking. This was in 1989
with a mix of rock and funk vibes.
Lenny Kravitz in the 1990’s exploded
with songs like Always on the Run,
Rock and Roll is Dead, Stand by My
Woman, and American Woman (by
1999).
He had music like Dig In, Show Me
Your Soul, and Where Are We
Runnin’? Lenny Kravitz won awards,
toured the world, and still has a great
humbleness. Lenny Kravitz loves his
daughter Zoe Kravitz (who is a great
actress in her own right), and he is a
vegan. Humanitarianism and
philanthropy represent his life
subsequently too. His music shows
some of the best examples of a man
showing sincere romantic love for a
woman indeed. Lenny Kravitz fights
racism, he believes in Jesus Christ,
and he is one of the best artists of our
generation.
1993 saw the album of The Chronic reached triple platinum in America (it was released in late 1992). By
this time, former N.W.A. rapper Dr. Dre teamed with Snoop Doggy Dogg and hits #2 US with "Nuthin'
But A "G" Thing" UK #31, #1 US R&B/Hip Hop. The song is from Dre's debut album The Chronic
which reaches #3 US, #43 UK. By 1993, there was a transition in hip hop when more hardcore hip hop
and g-funk replaced more of the conscious hip hop of the 1980's and early 1990's. The music of hip-hop
became slightly less serious and more laid back. Rock groups like Depeche Mode and Suede were
showing their music in 1993 too. American rocker Lenny Kravitz had the album of Are You Donna Go
My Way. It was double platinum in America and platinum in the UK. Get A Grip is the eleventh studio
album from Boston rock veterans Aerosmith and becomes the band's first #1 album in the US, #2 UK.
The album includes three US Top Twenty singles including "Cryin'" #12 US, #17 UK and "Crazy" #17
US. The album sells over twenty million copies worldwide. Athens, Georgia rock band R.E.M. released
their eighth album Automatic For The People and hit #2 US, #1 UK. The album contains two of the
bands' best known songs "Everybody Hurts" and "Man On The Moon." The album goes 4X Platinum in
the US and 7X Platinum in the UK. The group Silk from Atlanta had the album of Lose Control going
double platinum in America. The group had the single Freak Me, and the co-producer and co-writer of
much of the album was new jack swing artist Keith Sweat. Rock groups like LA-based Tool and Queens
NYC band Anthrax had their albums released. Anthrax worked with Public Enemy before.

Janet Jackson's fifth album Janet. debuts at #1 and the album's lead single "That's The Way Love Goes"
also hits #1 US, #2 UK. Jackson wrote all lyrics for this album, along with co-producing and cowriting
all arrangements. The album goes 6X Platinum and generates six Top Ten singles in the US. By 1993,
Janet Jackson was already a legend. With that album, it solidified her status as an icon of R&B music.
This was in May of 1993.

Groups like New Order and Primus expressed their rock sound. One dance song What is Love was
shown by Trinidadian singer Nestor Haddaway. That song was one of those songs that defined the 1990's
as a great decade. By the summer of 1993, groups like Flaming Lips, H-Town, and Cypress Hill came
about. Icelandic singer, and songwriter Bjork releases her self titled debut album which works its way
to #3 UK and #61 US. The album has since gone Platinum in the US and Double Platinum in the UK.
The singles "Play Dead", "Big Time Sensuality" and "Violently Happy" all chart in the UK Top Twenty.
New York City R&B trio SWV (Sisters with Voices) had the hit song of Weak being number one in
America. Their debut album was in July 1993 called It's About Time going triple platinum in America.

Severn, Maryland singer Toni Braxton's self-titled debut album is released and goes on to hit #1 US, #4
UK, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. Braxton is signed to LaFace Records by producers L.A.
Reid and Babyface who write most of the songs. The album has three Top Ten singles including "Breathe
Again" #3 US, #2 UK. Toni Braxon is a legend with sultry voice and a powerful legacy. Atlanta, Georgia
hip hop duo Tag Team spend seven weeks at #2 US, #1 US R&B with their debut single "Whoomp!
(There It Is)". The single goes on to sell over four million copies, making Tag Team one of the biggest
catchy songs of the 90's. The song is still played at US sporting events to this day. Smashing Pumpkins
from Chicago had their 2nd album of Siamese Dream. The Proclaimers and Cracker had albums released
too. A more hardcore group of Onyx from Queens, NYC had the single Slam.

The German eurodance group Culture Beat had the number hit in America with the song Mr. Vain.
Dance/house music was very popular in 1993. I remember that song. There was the production by Vain."
With production by Torsten Fenslau, lead vocals by Tania Evans and rapping by Jay Supreme the song
is a worldwide hit, reaching #1 in fifteen countries. The single sells over eleven million copies worldwide.
Rock groups The Breeders and Soul Asylum enjoyed showing their songs in the world. American singer
Mariah Carey has her seventh US #1 single with "Dreamlover" #9 UK. With lyrics by Carey, the song
uses a sample from the 1972 song "Blind Alley" by The Emotions. It is the lead single from Carey's third
album Music Box #1 US and UK, which sells over 28 million copies worldwide. This was in September
of 1993. By September, Counting Crows had their debut album called August and Everything After and
James had their alternative rock album called Laid. Xscape, an R&B vocal group from Atlanta, Georgia
hit #2 US, #1 US R&B, #49 UK with their first single "Just Kickin' It". The song is from their first album
Hummin' Comin' At 'Cha which charts at #17 and goes Platinum in the US. The group was discovered
and produced by Jermaine Dupri. The members of Xscape back then were very young. They were
teenagers and young adults back then. Pearl Jam made their second album of Vs. Grunge stars Nirvana
play the Sony Music Studios in NYC for a recording of MTV Unplugged. Rather than covering their
hits, the band plays lesser known cuts and covers from David Bowie, Leadbelly and The Meat Puppets
among others. The concert is later released as both a DVD and a #1 album by November 1993. Wu Tang
Clan had their debut album of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It caused an increase of East Coast
hip-hop music to become triple platinum. West Coast rapper and Dr. Dre protégé Snoop Doggy Dogg
released his first album Doggystyle which debut's at #1 US and reached #12 UK. The album's sound is
influenced by the Parliament-Funkadelic funk sound. Two singles "What's My Name" and "Gin and
Juice" hit #8 in the US. The album sells over 11 million worldwide, and it was heavily criticized by C.
Delores Tucker. Ice Cube had his fourth album of Lethal Injection in December of 1993. Meatloaf had
his comeback album in 1993 along with the song I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That).

1994 was a turning point in music. In early 1994, I was in the 5th grade, and in late 1994, I was in the 6th
grade during my first year of middle school. In January 1994, the Maryland singer Tori Amos had the
2nd album called Under the Pink with singles like Pretty Good Years. She said that she can see music
in colors. Green Day had their debut album, and they were from the Berkeley, California punk scene.
Their singles include Longview and When I Come Around. Their album sold over 20 million copies
worldwide. The EP of Jar of Flys was shown by Alice in Chains (a Seattle grunge band). Groups like
Meat Puppets and The Cranberries released music. New York City hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa teamed
with R&B vocal group En Vogue for the single "Whatta Man" #3 US, #1 US Rap, #7 UK. The track is
from Salt-N-Pepa's fourth album Very Necessary #4 US which goes 5X Platinum. The song is a cover of
the 1968 song "What A Man" recorded by Linda Lyndell for Stax/Volt. This was in February of 1994.

Salt-N-Pepa is a groundbreaking hip-hop all-women's group since 1985 that helped to break down
barriers for other women MCs in the modern generation. Salt-N-Pepa, JJ Fad, and the group Sequence
are the hip hop women groups have set up a great foundation in music. After achieving fame with
French language songs, Quebec singer Celine Dion switches to English in 1990 and has her first US #1
hit with the single "The Power Of Love" #4 UK. The song is from Dion's third English language album
The Colour Of My Love #1 UK, #4 US. The album went Platinum in the US and UK. Celine Dion is
known for making powerful ballads and goes into other genres too. Stockton, California alternative,
indie rock band Pavement released their second album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and reached the
US Top 200 Albums for the first time at #121 and #15 UK. Cleveland, Ohio industrial, alternative band
Nine Inch Nails released their second album The Downward Spiral, and chart at #2 US, #9 UK. By
March of 1994, the Division Bell, #1 US and UK, is the fourteenth studio album from UK progressive
rock band Pink Floyd. It was the second album recorded without founding member Roger Waters. The
album, which sells over seven million copies, is followed by a world tour and an extended ten-year hiatus.
By March 1994, there was the song of The Sign from the Gothenburg, Sweden group of Ace of Base. I
heard of that song and the group in 1994. The Sign was a number one hit in America and number 2 in
the UK. The song is the title track from the band's US #1 debut album. The album had previously been
released in Europe as Happy Nation. The album would sell over 21 million copies worldwide.
Superunknown, the fourth album from Seattle grunge pioneers Soundgarden, enters the US Top 200
Albums at #1 and hits #4 UK. The single "Black Hole Sun" receives steady MTV play and hits #2 US
Alternative and #12 UK. The album goes 5X Platinum in the US. On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain died of
an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Seattle home. The singer-songwriter had struggled with
depression, heroin addiction, and chronic health problems for several years. Cobain was 27 years old at
the time of his suicide. The death of Kurt Cobain represented the end of an era, as he was the
spokesperson for the grunge musical and cultural revolution. R Kelly (the convicted pedophile) had his
first solo hit in America with a song. The song is included on Kelly's second album 12 Play which goes
6X Platinum. The album's second single "Your Body's Callin'" hits #13 US, #2 US R&B. I don't agree
with what R Kelly did. This is just for historical reference.
Blur and Live had music and albums. By April of 1994, Winnipeg, Manitoba alternative band Crash Test
Dummies hit it big with their single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" which reached #4 US, #2 UK. The song
is from the band's second album God Shuffled His Feet which charts at #9 US and #2 UK and goes
Double Platinum in the US. Recorded as a one-off hip hop/sampling experiment by Los Angeles folk
artist Beck, the song "Loser" is released by independent label Bong Load. The song spread from local
college radio to commercial radio and MTV, eventually reaching #10 US, #15 UK and leading to a major
label deal with DGC. Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet spent fifteen weeks at #1 in the UK with their
cover of The Troggs 1967 hit "Love Is All Around". The single hits #1 in fourteen countries, but only
reaches #41 in the US. Recorded for the film Four Weddings And A Funeral, the song is the band's third
UK #1.

By May of 1994, After changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol, the artist formerly known as
Prince scored his first UK #1 hit with the single "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" #3 US. The
song is from his seventeenth album The Gold Experience #6 US, #4 UK. During this time, Prince
wanted control over his master’s which helped other artists in the future to control their musical
publishing, masters, and other forms of revenues. California R&B group All-4-One hit US #1 for eleven
weeks with their single "I Swear" #2 UK. The song is a cover of the 1993 #1US Country hit for John
Michael Mongomery. It is the second single from All-4-One's self-titled debut album which reaches #7
US and goes 4X Platinum. With production from The Cars Rick Ocasek, Los Angeles band Weezer
released their self-titled debut album. The videos for the singles "Undone - The Sweater Song" and
"Buddy Holly" both get heavy MTV and alternative radio exposure pushing album sales to 3X Platinum
in the US. Madonna had the song of I'll Remember. By July 1994, Long Beach, California rapper Warren
G scores a hit with his debut single "Regulate", a collaboration with Nate Dogg, #2 US, #1 US Rap, #5
UK. The track is included on his debut album Regulate...G Funk Era which reached #2 US and went
Triple Platinum. G funk took over hip-hop for many years. Groups like NOFX and The Prodigy showed
punk music and electronic music. In August 1994, Woodstock '94 is held to commemorate the 25th
anniversary of the original 1969 festival. Performers from the original festival such as Santana and
Country Joe McDonald play along with current artists Metallica, NIN, Blind Melon, Green Day and
others. The event is marred by rain and mud and has been nicknamed "mudstock." Anaheim, California
native Jeff Buckley releases his debut album Grace. It would be Buckley's only album, as he drowned in
1997. Ten years later his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" would be released as a single and reach
#2 UK. Buckley is the son of 60's singer-songwriter Tim Buckley. Oasis had their debut album in 1994
too. Lisa Loeb had her song of Stay (I Missed You).

In August of 1994, Chicago, Illinois native Shawntae Harris is noticed at a rap competition sponsored
by MTV's Yo! MTV Raps and is signed by Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. Performing as Da Brat her
debut single "Funkdafied" hits #6 US and #1 US Rap. The album of the same name hit #11 US and went
Platinum. Da Brat is known for her rapid-fire lyrical delivery. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania worldbeat band
Rusted Root released their major label debut album When I Woke and chart at #51 US. The song "Send
Me On My Way" was released as a single and reached #72 US. The track "Ecstasy" is also popular. The
album goes to US Platinum. Blues Traveler is a Princeton, New Jersey blues rock jam band with their
album Four. By September 1994, the Brooklyn, New York City rapper The Notorious B.I.G. released his
debut album Ready To Die on Bad Boy Records #15 US. The album features the singles "Big Poppa" #6
US, #1 US Rap and "Juicy" #27 US, #3 US Rap. The album goes 6X Platinum in the US and elevates
B.I.G. to the top of East Coast hip hop. After the album, The Notorious B.I.G. was the top leader of hip
hop on the East Coast indeed. By this time, Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. were great friends and hung
out across America. Veruca Salt released music, and alternative rock band R.E.M. released their album
Monster in September 1994. The album had a harder rock sound. The album debuts at #1 US and #1
UK and goes 4X Platinum in the US. Lead single "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" hits #21 US, #1 US
Alternative and #9 UK. Midwestern singer Sheryl Crow had her hit of All I Wanna Do. She was once a
backup singer with Michael Jackson. Charlottesville, Virginia group The Dave Matthews Band released
their debut album Under The Table And Dreaming which charts at #11 US and eventually sold six
million copies. The album's lead single "What Would You Say" (#11 US Alternative) features John
Popper on harmonica.

By September 1994, Boyz II Men made another comeback with their hit I'll Make Love to You
celebrating a love to woman. The song is the lead single from the group's third album which charts at
#1 US, #17 UK and goes 12X Platinum in the US. The second single "On Bended Knee" also hits US #1.
Queensryche and Pearl Jam released albums too. When Can I See You was a sentimental song by
Babyface. Babyface is one of the best songwriters and producers of all time. The song is from his third
album For The Cool In You #16 US, which went Triple Platinum on his own record label LaFace. By
December 1994, Veteran Jamaican reggae artist Ina Kamoze scored a #1 US single with "Here Comes
The Hotstepper" #4 UK. The song includes multiple samples including a vocal line from the 1965
Cannibal & The Headhunters hit "Land Of A Thousand Dances." London, England band Bush released
their grunge-inspired debut album Sixteen Stone which hit #4 US, but only #42 at home. The album
generated five US Alternative Top Five singles including "Glycerine" and "Comedown" both #1 US
Alternative. The album goes 6X Platinum in the US.
 The Mid to Late 1990's
By 1995, new songs dominated the scene of music. By January 1995, the song of I'm The Only One came
out by Melissa Etheridge. She is from Leavenworth, Kansas. This was part of her fourth album Yes, I
Am. We have musicians like Rednex, Hootie and the Blowfish showing Hold My Hand, and PJ Harvey
having the album To Bring You My Love. Hootie and the Blowfish is from the city of Columbia, South
Carolina. Their debut album was Cracked Rearview Mirror which was the best-selling album of 1995
selling over 21 million copies. By February 1995, Madonna scored her eleventh #1 single in the US with
"Take A Bow." The song is the second single from her sixth studio album Bedtime Stories #3 US, #2 UK.
The album's lead single "Secret" reached #3 US, #5 UK. The album went Triple Platinum in the US and
sold eight million copies worldwide.

When the show Moesha came out in 1995, the singer Brandy was already a household name in America
plus beyond. By March 1995, the California singer, songwriter, and actress Brandy scored the second of
three US Top Ten hits with the single "Baby" #4 US. The song is from her self-titled debut album which
also features the singles "I Wanna Be Down" #6 US and "Brokenhearted" #9 US. The album went Double
Platinum in the US. From this moment on, Brandy with Moesha and other music would be one of the
greats of R&B music (along with her other counterparts of Monica and Aaliyah). During the same time,
the Stockbridge, Georgia rock band Collective Soul found continued commercial success with their self-
titled second album, which goes Triple Platinum in the US. The album contains two US Modern Rock
Top Ten hits "December" #2 and "The World I Know" #6. Elastica made their self-titled debut album
by March of 1995 too. One tragedy was the March 1995 death of the Texas singer Selena. She already
had her fourth US Latin #1 single in a row with "Fotos y Recuerdos" a reworking of The Pretenders'
"Back On The Chain Gang." In March Yolanda Saldivar, the manager of the Selena fan club and fashion
boutiques, shoots Selena to death following a business dispute. Selena was a Latina-American superstar
who inspired future artists like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard
releases his debut solo album Return To The 36 Chambers and hits #7 US, #2 US R&B/Hip-Hop. The
album generated two US Rap Hot Singles including "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Brooklyn Zoo". The
album went to US Platinum.

One of the most popular R&B and dance songs of all time would come out called This is How We Do
It by April of 1995 done by LA singer, and songwriter Montell Jordan. The song was number one in
America and number 11 in the UK. The single was from Def Jam Records. The song is the title track
from Jordan's debut album which charts at #12 US and goes Platinum. The album's second single
"Somethin' 4 The Honeyz" hits #21 US. The fourth album from UK alternative band The Boo Radleys
hits #1 UK but fails to chart in the US. The album generates the UK #1 single "Wake Up Boo!" along
with the #25 UK single "It's Lulu." This would be the band's commercial peak, though they would release
two more albums. White Zombie made music too. On April 1995, the California hip hop artist Tupac
Shakur has a #1 album Me Against The World and a US Top Ten single with "Dear Mama" #9 US, #1
US Rap, all while serving time in prison for a crime that he said that he is innocent of to his dying day.
A video is made without the imprisoned Tupac, instead featuring his mother Afeni, the subject of the
song. Tupac Shakur would go on to new heights and become the most influential hip hop artist of all
time. The alternative bands of Everclear and Blesid Union of Souls made many songs and albums. The
former lead singer and guitarist for UK band The Jam, Paul Weller, hits #1 UK with his third solo album
Stanley Road. The album produces four UK Top 20 singles including "The Changingman" #7 UK and
"You Do Something To Me" #9 UK. The album goes 4X UK Platinum. Canadian singer songwriter Bryan
Adams has his fourth US #1 single with "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman." The song is included
on the soundtrack album for the Johnny Depp film Don Juan DeMarco. The song receives an Oscar
nomination for Best Original Song.
 CELEBRATING WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE 1990’S
Lauryn Hill
changed the
whole
consciousness of
music with her Alanis Morissette showed
Mary J. Blige (with albums
albums and albums like Ironic and songs
like My Life, Share My
songs during the Word, and The in the 1990’s focused on the
1990’s from Breakthrough) gave voice to honest views of women
Everything is tons of black women and relating to relationships and
Everything to women in general about their life in general in unapologetic
The X-Factor. pain, hope, love, and terms.
aspirations to have a better
future.

Shania Twain gave
country music more
energy to show lyrics
that appeal to women
and anyone desiring
self-expression.
HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY The singer Jewel showed a
MONTH rock and folk energy when
she presented her music to
the Earth. She has a down to
Earth mentality during the
1990’s and beyond.

Selena was a singer ahead

of her time who brought Namie Amuro worked hard in the
joy to her family and music industry. Her famous single
Diana Ross is here in fans. She inspired the of Can You Celebrate? in 1997 is
the World Music future generation of very popular in Japan to this day.
Awards in 1996 Latino artists, especially She is one of the most in uential
looking very young in the 21st century. musicians of Japan.
and very lively to
express some of her Without women, no human would exist in this world. Therefore, we owe
greatest songs in her a huge debt of gratitude to women globally. We have this responsibility to
solo career and her respect women and to give women the just equality, justice, and self-
time in the Supremes. determination that they deserve. Women musicians, artists, architects,
judges, teachers, STEM experts, social activists, lawyers, athletes, and other
women of every walk of life deserve that honor and dignity.
By June of 1995, there is a song that represented a R&B and hip-hop prominent collaboration. The song
is "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By" is a remix of Method Man's track "All I Need"
mixed with the Motown song "You're All I Need To Get By" (done by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell).
The song, with choruses and backing vocals by Mary J. Blige, hits #3 US, #1 US R&B. Around the same
time, the American brother/sister superstars Michael and Janet Jackson teamed up for the single
"Scream" which charts at #5 US, #3 UK. The song was written and produced by the Jacksons with the
team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The video for the song costs $7 Million and is one of the most
expensive ever produced. The song Scream is about Michael Jackson being supported by Janet Jackson
over many allegations and controversies. It's about a younger sister and an older brother playing, being
angry, and showing their talents to the world (during the media's obsession with them). The second
album from Icelandic singer-songwriter Bjork is one of her most successful, reaching #2 UK, #32 US
and going Platinum in both countries. The album spawns three UK Top Ten singles including "Army
Of Me" #10, "Hyperballad" #8 and "It's Oh So Quiet" #4.

The Chemical Brothers, an electronic music duo from Manchester, England, released their debut album
Exit Planet Dust which breaks into the UK Top Ten at #9. The duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons
had previously been known as the Dust Brothers. The album went Platinum in the UK. In July 1995, the
Notorious B.I.G. was at the crown top of East Coast hip hop. Brooklyn, New York rapper Biggie Smalls
a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. hits #2 US, #34 UK with the remix single "One More Chance/Stay With Me."
Produced by Sean Puffy Combs, the song features additional vocals from Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige,
it sold over a million copies. The remix music video had tons of hip-hop and R&B icons from Heavy D
to Aaliyah. Elliot Smith and Supergrass released music. By August 1995, the former drummer for
Nirvana, Dave Grohl, wrote the songs, played all the instruments and sings all vocals for the self-titled
debut album for the Foo Fighters which charts at #23 US, #3 UK on its way to going to US Platinum.
After recording the album, Grohl recruited band members to tour.

By August 1995, TLC released the song of Waterfalls. I remember that song vividly as I watched it a lot
on Splash TV back in 1995. The song is about promoting the lesson that dangerous choices can lead to
death literally, and people should be careful to create positive choices in life. Atlanta, Georgia R&B, hip
hop group TLC hit #1 in the US with the single "Waterfalls" #6 UK. It is the second #1 single from their
album CrazySexyCool which sells 21 million copies worldwide. In July the band declared bankruptcy in
a bid to renegotiate their recording contract. Yet, TLC will bounce back, make more music, and be the
premier new jack swing hip hop/R&B group that inspired the world with their messages.

By August 1995, the UK singer songwriter Seal goes to #1 US, #4 UK with the single "Kiss From A Rose"
after the song is featured in the Batman Forever movie. Seal wrote the song eight years earlier but
reworked it with producer Trevor Horn for his second album. The album goes 2X Platinum in the UK
and 4X Platinum in the US. A group called Garbage made their album. Dundalk, Ireland pop/folk family
band The Corrs released their debut album Forgiven, Not Forgotten and climbed to #2 UK. The album
was produced by Canadian producer and musician David Foster and released on Atlantic Records. The
album goes on to sell over three million copies worldwide. Cleveland, Ohio hip hop group Bone Thugs-
n-Harmony hit #1 US with their second album E. 1999 Eternal. The album went 9X Platinum in the US
and contains the single "Tha Crossroads" which sold over two million copies and hits #1 US in 1996.
Shaggy had Boombastic in August of 1995 too as part of reggae music. Shaggy continues to make music
to this day. Grateful Dead lead guitarist and founder Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack after a long
struggle with drug addiction. The Grateful Dead formed in 1965 in California's San Francisco Bay area
performing a mix of folk, country and psychedelic rock and pioneering the "jam band" ethos. On
September 7, 1964, influential West Coast hip hop artist Eric Lynn Wright (Eazy-E) passed away from
the AIDS-induced pneumonia. He was 30 years. He was a member of N.W.A. and had his own solo
career too. He was a producer who helped to promote Bone, Black Eyed Peas, and other artists. Eazy-E
wanted to work hard on his companies, build technological devices, and made a final note to his fans,
made amends to Ice Cube, and he married his girlfriend. By September 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame Museum opened in Cleveland, Ohio. It was designed by architect I.M. Pei. The RRHOF
Foundation was established in 1983 and several cities were considered for the hall's permanent home,
but Cleveland civic boosters raised $65 million. By this time, after hitting #3 US in 1994 with his single
"Fantastic Voyage", California rapper Coolio teams up with R&B singer L.V. for the single "Gangsta's
Paradise" which hits #1 in both the US and UK. The song was created for the film Dangerous Minds
and is on the soundtrack album. Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Pulp, Oasis, and Take That made
many songs and albums.

American singer Whitney Houston has her eleventh US #1 single with "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" #11 UK.
The song is from the film Waiting To Exhale in which Houston plays the lead role. Produced by Kenneth
Babyface Edmonds the soundtrack also features Toni Braxton, Brandy, TLC and Mary J. Blige among
others This was in November 1995. By December of 1995, veteran hip hop artist L Cool J teamed with
Philadelphia R&B vocal group Boyz ll Men on the single "Hey Lover" which charts at #3 US, #17 UK.
The song is from Cool J's sixth album Mr. Smith which became Double Platinum in the US. During this
time in December 1995, Boyz ll Men also collaborated with Mariah Carey on her eleventh US #1 single
"One Sweet Day" #6 UK. The song is included on Carey's fifth album Fantasy, whose title track had hit
#1 US in October. The album goes 8X Platinum in the US and sells over 20 million copies worldwide.
One Sweet Day was one of the greatest songs of all time, not just in the 1990's.
DIONNE FARRIS

Dionne Farris was

involved in the
soundtrack of the
romantic comedy
of Love Jones.
Here is Dionne Farris at the
Love Jones
2013 Black Women Rock
celebrated poetry
concert.
jams and Black
Love.

Dionne Yvette Farris is one of the greatest artists of our generation. She was in Arrested
Development and established her own solo career. She is 54 years old. She was born and
raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She loved Diana Ross as a child. Later, she took up
dancing, jazz, etc. She joined many bands. Later, she wrote songs for groups like TLC,
song background for Xscape including El Debarge. She sang for Arrested Development
for many songs like Give a Man a Fish, Tennessee, etc. Her debut solo album was Wild
Seed Wild Flower in 1994. The sing of I Know was all 1990's. It was a great song. She
was part of the Promised Land soundtrack. She had the song called Hopeless (written by
Van Hunt) for the Love Jones soundtrack. Love Jones is a movie about Generation X
black Americans trying to find love in Chicago. She has one daughter, who is a hip hop
artist named Baby Tate. She continued to make albums in the 21st century. I wish Sister
Dionne Farris more Blessings.
One band that defined the angst,
heartache, and resourcefulness
of Generation X would be the rock
band of Nirvana. Generation X
and many of us older Millennials
were latch key kids in which we
had keys on us when our parents
were in work. Generation X saw
massive economic dislocation
back in the 1980’s and early
1990’s. Nirvana had the guitarist
Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist
Novoselic, and Dave Grohl.
Nirvana loved to show alternative
rock, and Kurt Cobain was an
unapologetic progressive person.
The group lasted from 1987 to
1994. They were part of the
Seattle grunge movement with
minimalist fashion, heavy
choruses, and introspective
lyrics. Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen
Spirit in 1991 defined a lot of the
1990’s music from their 1991
album of Nevermind. Nirvana
sold more than 75 million copies.
The band Nirvana represented
Generation X culture fully.
We know how Kurt Cobain
passed away in 1994. What is
more important is how Kurt lived
and the legacy of Nirvana.
Nirvana gave voice to a lot of
alienated teenagers and young
adults who desired a sense of
community after the Cold War
ended. Nirvana influenced the
Foo Fighters (who had the former
Nirvana member Dave Grohl in
the Foo Fighters). Among rock
and roll culture, Nirvana focused
on showing a sense of pure
individuality and purpose.

Ironically, a rock and roll
band from humble
beginnings from Athens,
Georgia would grow to be
one of originators of modern-
day alternative rock. The
drummer Bill Berry, the
guitarist Peter Buck, the
bassist Mike Mills, and the
lead vocalist Michael Stipe
changed rock music forever.
They were students at the
University of Georgia in 1980
when they formed R.E.M.
R.E.M. sold more than 90
million albums worldwide,
but it is not about the money
that defined their legacy.
Their legacy included lyrics
about exploring the
philosophy life, love, the
creative art of music, and
other topics relevant to the
complex nature of human
living. Their first single was
Radio Free Europe. By 1983,
their album of Murmur
defined their acclaim for
years to come. Their albums
of Document, Green, Out of
Time, and Automatic for the
People won them many
awards. They had hit songs
like The One I Love, Losing
My Religion, Man on the
Moon, The Great Beyond,
REM’s Accelerate in 2008 was
an album filled with hard
rock songs in a changing
world.
R.E.M. was inducted to the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
2007, their first year of
eligibility. They promoted
political causes like trying to
end the Darfur conflict. Their
last two albums were
Accelerate in 2008 and
Collapse into Now by
2011.From the St. Mary’s
Episcopal Church on
Oconee Street in Athens,
Georgia, to arenas
worldwide, R.E.M. made a
major contribution to the
history of the diverse
tapestry of rock and roll
music indeed.
1996 saw hip-hop tragedies, dance crazes, R&B classics, rock comebacks, and pop anthems. In January
of 1996, the Buffalo, New York alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls find their first chart success after
switching to a more pop sound with the single "Name" #5 US. The song is from the band's fifth album
on Metal Blade Records. With the success of "Name" the album goes US Double Platinum. Around this
time, the surviving members of The Beatles - George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney add
vocals and instrumentation to a John Lennon home demo and release the single "Free As A Bird".
Produced by ELO and Traveling Wilbury member Jeff Lynne, the song hits #2 UK and #6 US. Groups
like Babylon Zoo and Deep Blue Something (with their song Breakfast at Tiffany's) had unique music.
One 1990's anthem was Joan Osborne's One of Us. She was from Louisville, Kentucky. Missing had the
song Everything But The Girl.

The dance group La Bouche had the song Be My Lover. I remember that song as a child. The lead singers
of the group are Lane McCray and the late legend Melanie Thorton. The song is from their Platinum
debut album Sweet Dreams. The title track also reached #13 US, #3 US Hot Dance Club Tracks. One
of the most emotional songs from R&B singer Mary J. Blige came out called "Non Gon' Cry." from the
Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. The soundtrack was number one in the USA with Whitney Houston,
TLC, Brandy, Patti Labelle, Toni Braxton, and other legends. That single was one of the best songs in
Mary J. Blige's career. The debut album from New York City group Fun Lovin' Criminals entitled Come
Find Yourself hits #7 in the UK, but only #144 US. The single "Scooby Snacks", featuring audio snips
from Quentin Tarantino films, reaches #22 UK and #14 US Alternative. The album goes Platinum in
the UK. By February 1996, after some success in Canada with two dance pop albums, Alanis Morissette
moved to a more rock-oriented sound for her third album Jagged Little Pill. Released in June 1995, the
album spends 12 weeks at US #1 driven by three US Top Ten singles. The album sells over 33 million
copies worldwide, one of the best-selling ever.

One of the best songs from Brandy was Sittin' Up in My Room from March 1996. That song was also
part of the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. I remember that song too. Gin Blossom and The Cranberries
released music by this time. Charlottesville, Virginia's Dave Matthews Band find their greatest career
success with their second studio album Crash #2 US and 7X Platinum US. With a following built on
touring, the album features some of their best-known songs including "Crash Into Me", "Too Much" and
"So Much To Say." Firestarter was the song from the band The Prodigy. Los Angeles band Rage Against
The Machine debuted at #1 US with their second album Evil Empire #4 UK. The album's lead single
"Bulls On Parade" hits #8 UK, #11 US Alternative. The album, named after President Ronald Reagan's
term for the Soviet Union, goes Triple Platinum. This was in April of 1996. Rock artists like The
Wallflowers and Ani DiFranco released albums. By June 1996, the South Orange, New Jersey hip hop
trio The Fugees hit #1 UK with their cover of Roberta Flack's 1973 hit "Killing Me Softly." The track is
from the group's second album The Score which hits #1 US and #2 UK, going on to sell 18 million copies
worldwide. It would be the group's final album. The Score from The Fugees was one of the greatest
albums in hip-hop and music history. Los Angeles band Metallica moved away from their thrash metal
roots on their sixth album Load #1 US and UK. The shift to a more conventional hard rock sound
alienates many fans and the album sells ten million fewer copies than their previous album, but still goes
5X Platinum in the US. KISS made their Alive Worldwide tour starting in Tiger Stadium in Detroit.
By June 1996, Jay Z released his debut album called Reasonable Doubt. Jay Z worked with Kane and Jaz
O before he made his album years prior to 1996, but this was the time when it started for Jay Z on a
different level. He is from Brooklyn, New York City. The album went platinum in America. Cleveland,
Ohio singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman has her first US Top Ten hit since her 1988 debut with "Give
Me One Reason" #3 US. It would be the most best-selling song of her career. Structured as a traditional
12-bar blues song, it is included in Chapman's 1995 album New Beginning, which reaches #4 US and goes
5X Platinum. Nada Surf and Primitive Radio Gods made music too. The all-women pop group from the
UK named Spice Girls released their debut single "Wannabe." The song is an immediate #1 hit in the
UK, where it is followed by two more chart-toppers in 1996 including "2 Become 1." In a departure from
his debut album, the hip-hop artist Nas moves to a mainstream sound with elaborate production for his
second album It Was Written. The album charts at #1 US and goes Double Platinum. The album
includes the #1 US Rap hit single "Street Dreams" #22 US Top 100. It would be Nas' most successful
release financially. Nas released the album on July 2, 1996.

By July 1996, New York City Fiona Apple released her debut album called Tidal. It became triple
platinum in America. Sublime had the song What I Got in America. By August of 1996, Tupac Shakur's
double A-Side single "How Do You Want It / California Love" hits #1 US, #6 UK. The song is from his
5X Platinum album All Eyez On Me #1 US, #32 UK. On September 2 Pac died in Las Vegas from wounds
suffered in a drive-by shooting six days earlier. Tupac's passing happened when I just started the 8th
grade of middle school. I remember that time very well. With all the research in our time, we pretty
much who murdered Tupac Shakur and why. The FBI and the intelligence community monitored Tupac
because of his links to black revolutionaries like Afeni Shakur. The Southside Crips murdered Tupac
Shakur in a jealous rage after one of their members (i.e. Orlando Anderson) was beaten by Tupac and
Death Row members in Las Vegas. By August 1996, the Spanish dance-pop duo Los Del Rio had a
worldwide hit with the English language remix of their song "Macarena" #1 US, #2 UK. The song and
its video sparked an international dance craze. By 1997 the single had sales of 11 million and today is
considered the biggest one-hit wonder of all time. Burlington, Vermont jam band Phish held their first
festival - The Clifford Ball for two days in Plattsburgh, New York attracting 70,000 fans. The
performance is recorded on video and later released as a DVD. The band has since held a total of ten
festivals in various locations. Manchester band Oasis, at the height of their popularity, held a two-night
concert at Knebworth, England with 125,000 fans attending each night. Both shows sold out in minutes,
with 2.5 million people requesting tickets. The shows are the largest outdoor concert ever held in the
UK.
 TWO ICONIC VOCALISTS OF THE 1990’S AND BEYOND
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey will be soon 55 years old. For our generation, she
fully established herself as one of the greatest vocalists in history.
Mariah Carey is a human being who is a singer, songwriter, record
producer, and actress. She gave her all to promote excellence in
music and in philanthropy too. She was born in Huntington, New
York. Her mother was the opera singer Patricia and Alfred Roy
Carey (an aeronautical engineer of African American and Afro-
Venezuelan heritage). Mariah Carey excelled in music and
literature at a young age. She graduated in 1987 from Haborfields
High School in Greenlaw, New York. Her mother helped her
improve her vocal skills. Mariah Carey moved into New York City
and worked part time jobs to pay the rent. She worked as a
backup singer for Brenda K. Starr. Brenda K. Starr is an
underrated singer. Mariah Carey sent her demo tape to the head
of Columbia Records, Tommy Mottola in 1988. Mariah Carey sang
America the Beautiful in the 1990 NBA Finals and the rest is
history. Her debut studio album was Mariah Carey. It topped the
Billboard 200 for 11 consecutive weeks.
Later, she won many Grammy Awards like Best New Artist and
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her single "Vision of
Love." Her 2nd album was Emotion giving homage to Motown soul
music. Emotions was released by September 17, 1991. During the
1990's, Mariah Carey had some of her best records and albums
like Music Box and Butterfly. Songs like Hero, Without You, All I
Want for Christmas is You, and other songs are part of the lexicon
of music. She increasingly worked with other artists like Boyz II
Men with One Sweet Day, one of the greatest and popular songs
in history. That song was atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 16
consecutive weeks, which was the longest running number one
song in the history of the charts (in that time). Daydream was her
biggest selling album in America. Later, she worked with hip hop
artists as diverse as ODB, Nas, and Bone Thugs and Harmony. I
Still Believe with Whitney Houston was her first collaboration with
Whitney Houston. Mariah Carey made a stirring comeback with
The Emancipation of Mimi album. We Belong Together is another
classic single from the album. Later, she made E=MC2. Mariah
Carey has worked in movies too. By January 12, 2022, she
announced a children's picture book called The Christmas
Princess. It was so written with Michaela Angela Davis and
illustrated by Fuuji Takashi. Mariah Carey was influenced by Billie
Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight,
and Aretha Franklin. Mariah Carey gave soul to a lot of music,
gave inspiration to many artists now, and still inspires us all.
Whitney Houston
Today, it has been over 12 years since the passing away of
Whitney Houston. I was in my late 20's when she passed away,
and I remember that sad time (in February of 2012) like yesterday.
There are tons of superlatives to describe the life and legacy of
Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston is easily the greatest vocalist
of our generation and among the top 5 greatest vocalists in all
human history. She was that great and magnificent. She was born
in the North at Newark, New Jersey to a Baptist religious Christian
family. She was raised in the church choir singing gospel music
for years. Her mother Cissy Houston was a professional singer
along with many in her family from Dionne Warwick to Leontyne
Price. Whitney Houston possessed all the gifts in the world.
Whitney Houston worked hard to make multiple albums and songs
that inspired many souls. Her songs of I Wanna Dance with
Somebody (Who Loves Me), I Have Nothing, I'm Every Woman, I
Will Always Love You, Step by Step, Exhale (Shoop Shoop),
Heartbreak Hotel, etc. are in the lexicon of musical culture.
Whitney Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time,
with over 220 million records sold worldwide. Whitny Houston
influenced future singer like Marey Carey, Brandy, Monica,
Aaliyah, Beyonce, Adele, and other people in terms of vocals,
vocal improvisation, and using gospel singing techniques in
showing an excellent performance to the people. Whitney
Houston earned 8 Grammy Awards, 22 American Music Awards,
two Emmy Awards, and 30 Guinness World Records. She was
inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice, the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues music Hall of Fame, the
Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and
the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. He
early albums of Whitney Houston (1985) and Whitney (1987) gave
her a path of more greatness as an artist. Whitney was a
professional actress in films like The Bodyguard (1992), Waiting
to Exhale (1995), The Preacher’s Wife (1996), Cinderella (1997),
and Sparkle (2012). She loved her family and her daughter Bobbi
Kristina. Whitney Houston was honest filled with charisma and a
down to Earth personality. One can forget or omit the glorious
legacy of Nippy. Whitney Houston broke down barriers to help
artists of the 21st century achieve their goals as artists.
Rest in Power Sister Whitney Houston.
The famous dance group of Quad City DJ's, a Jacksonville, Florida group, hit #3 US with the dance track
"C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)." The track is based on a sample from Barry White's 1974 film theme for
Together Brothers. Both the song and the group's debut album Get On Up And Dance, sold over a
million copies. Jamiroquai, a funk and acid jazz group from London, released their third album
Travelling Without Moving #2 UK and charted for the first time in the US at #24. The album produces
three UK Top Ten hits and three US Dance Top Ten hits including "Virtual Insanity". The album sold
8 million copies. This was in August 1996. The Swedish band The Cardigans has music. Donna Lewis
from Wales had the hit I Love You Always Forever and the band Kula Shaker had their music. By
October 1996, the Orlando, Florida alternative rock band Matchbox 20 released their debut album
Yourself Or Someone Like You and find major success, reaching #5 US. Five singles have been released
from the album including "3AM" which hits #1 US Alternative. The album goes 12X Platinum in the US.
The controversial artist Marilyn Manson had his 2nd album Antichrist Superstar by October 1996. In
November 1996, the end of the new jack swing era comes with a band with 2 hits of No Diggity from
Blackstreet and Pony from Maryland R&B singer Ginuwine. West coast rapper Snoop Dogg has his
second #1 album in a row with the release of The Doggfather #15 UK. The single "Snoop's Upside Ya
Head" samples the Gap Band and hits #12 UK and #5 US Rap. The album goes US Double Platinum.
This was in November of 1996. By December of 1996, No Doubt released their album of Tragic Kingdom.
Tragic Kingdom hits #1 US. Sales are driven by the success of the singles "Just A Girl" #3 UK, #23 US
and the album's third single "Don't Speak" which reached #1 UK, #2 US Alternative. The album sells 16
million copies worldwide.

1997 was a massive year in music. Women artists shown their talents to the world from Lauryn Hill to
Sarah MacLachlan. By January of 1997, Toni Braxton’s song Un-Break My Heart was very popular in
America. The Glastonbury British rock band called Reef released their album called Glow by January
1997 too. It had singles like Place Your Hands and Come Back Brighter. The album was produced by
Black Crows producer George Drakoulious. Sheryl Brow made the single If It Makes You Happy being
her great comeback album. The album is of the same title too. Her other major single of that album was
that Every Is a Winding Road which I heard of that song as a teenager. The Oakland, California R&B
iconic group released their single Don’t Let Go (Love) by En Vogue was created in 1996 and was popular
in 1997 as part of their 1997 album of EV3 (which was released in June of 1997). By February 1997, the
Dallas, Texas neo soul singer Erykah Badu released her debut album called Baduizm that goes triple
platinum. Erykah Badu will be an artist that has the old school swagger of a Billie Holiday with new
school hip hop influences. She would go on to be one of the greatest neo-soul artists of all time with
songs like Next Lifetime and On and On. Madonna plays Eva Person in the musical Evita by March
1997, and she released the song of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. One of the saddest moments in history
was when the hip hop artist Notorious B.I.G. was murdered by a coward in Los Angeles, California. His
Life After Death album would be the number one album in the nation being released 2 weeks after his
passing on March 1997 (featuring a young LOX hip hop group). Hypnotize and Mo Money Mo Problems
would be anthems of hip hop. The album goes 11 times Platinum in America. U2 released their
dance/club album of Pop in March 1997.

Jewel is from southern California with the song of You Were Meant for Me by April 1997. Her debut
album was back in 1995 with Pieces of You. Her 1997 single was You Were Meant for Me. The album
will sell 15 million copies worldwide. I don’t agree with Diddy on his actions, but the following
information is for historical purposes. Diddy released his debut single called Can’t Nobody Hold Me
Down by April 1997. This single was part of his No Way Out album being number one in America, and
the album went 7 times platinum in America. Electronic music band Chemical Brothers had the single
of Block Rockin’ Beats from their 2nd album of Dig Your Own Hole. They are from Manchester, UK.
Radiohead released OK Computer in May 1997, and Spice Girls had their single Wannabe being an
American hit song by May 1997. The Ozzfest Tour debuts in May 1997. Mary J. Blige released her
influential R&B album Share My World by May 1997. She had singles like Love is All We Need. She has
Nas, Lil’ Kim, George Benson, and others on her album. The Tulsa, Oklahoma pop trio of Hanson
released MMBop in May 1997 too. The members of the group are brothers Zac, Issac, and Taylor. Groups
like The Verve Pipe, Spiritualized, and the I’ll Be Missing You single existed (with Faith Evans and
Diddy by June of 1997 to celebrate the life of the late Notorious B.I.G.). Shawn Colvin, Meredith Brooks,
and Missy Elliot (she released her debut album by July 1997 called Supa Dupa Fly. She works with
Timbaland, Aaliyah, and others in the Swing mob movement. Missy Elliot’s label is called The
Goldmind) would make music. Women artists are celebrated in the Lilith Fair. It has Sarah MacLachlan,
Sheryl Crow, Fiona Apple, Jewel, and India.Arie. In August 1997, the band Third Eye Blind form San
Francisco released the single Semi-Charmed Life from their self-titled album. Not Tonight is a single
from Lil’ Kim with her friends Da Brat, Left Eye,
Missy Elliot, and Angie Martinez. By the end of 1997,
Oasis, The Verve, Backstreet Boys (with the single
Quit Playing Games with My Heart by September
1997), Bob Dylan, Master P, Portishead, The Corrs,
The Chris Gaines The Fugees was very and Elton John released music and albums. Janet
albums from Garth popular when their Jackson released her brave album of The Velvet
Brooks was one of the album The Score came Rope in October 1997 talking about romance,
most surprising albums out in 1996. They had
of Brooks’s career. It was R&B and hip-hop sexuality, politics, and human freedom. It debuts at
filled with R&B songs elements in the album. number one in America with singles like Together
with Brooks using his Lauryn Hill, Pras, and Again being number one in America and Number 4
alter ego named Chris Wyclef Jean worked as a
Gaines. team from New Jersey to
in the United Kingdom. Torn was a song I heard
show influential music. about by October 1997 by the Australian soap opera
star and singer Natalie Imbruglia. By October 1997,
usher released the single You make Me Wanna from his 2nd album My Way. Nice and Slow and My Way
were singles from her 2nd album too. Michael Hutchence passed away in November 1997. The
controversial Mystikal released his album of unpredictable by November 1997 being from New Orleans,
Louisiana. Barbie Girl was the song from the Copenhagen, Denmark dance pop group of Aqua released
in November of 1997. England band Chumbawamba released the single Tubtumping, Robyn shown the
song of Show Me Love (she is from Sweden being 18 years old back then), and LeAnn Rimes showed the
single of How Do I Live by December of 1997.
 TWO OF THE GREATEST HIP HOP ARTISTS OF THE 1990’S
The late Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) not only was
the the greatest MC in Brooklyn, but he was is among the
greatest hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. used vivid imagery,
internal rhymes, and other forms of advanced lyricism to
express his ideals. His lyrics dealt with street life, love, romance,
family, and other diverse topics. He shared his joy, his pain, and
his hope for the future. He was born in Brooklyn, NYC to Afro-
Jamaican parents. Early on, he had a gift to show to the world
music in an inspirational fashion. His talent was shown in rap
battles, and he was part of the Source's unsigned hype. The
Notorious B.I.G. found Bad Boy as home to show his skills. He
was alive to see the change in hip hop being an international,
multibillion-dollar enterprise. His albums of Ready to Die and
Life After Death showcased how impactful he was. During the
1990's, he was a person who innovated hip-hop in many ways.
He never denied his imperfections, but he wanted a better
future for himself and his children. His mother, Voletta
Wallace, loved him unconditionally and focused on his legacy
being appreciated. As a man, he has grown to go out of his way
to move forward in his life. He only lived to be 24 years old, but
his skill level was decades ahead of his time. Christopher
Wallace was many things. He was honest, vulnerable,
provocative, giving, and loyal to his family and friends. He
perfected the flow and wordplay in hip hop, and he worked
with up-and-coming artists like the LOX, Mase, and Jay Z.
Bedford Stuyvesant was the neighborhood in Brooklyn that he
always represented. He passed away on March 9, 1997, when I
was in the eighth grade of middle school. I remember that day
just like yesterday. I was in total shock at his passing, and it was
a very sad time for our community in general. His soul was
bound to achieve great accomplishments prodigiously. His
family and friends loved his sense of humor, his easygoing
personality, and his future plans. Death will come to each of us
in the future. Yet, we are also born to live to witness love, to
help our fellow people, and to be a light of inspiration for future
generations. The legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. is found in his
mother, his children, and his family who use charities, conflict
resolution, and a total mentality of hope to build up our
communities in a great fashion.
Rest in Power Brother Notorious B.I.G.
Tupac Shakur would have been 53 years old today. As the most
influential hip hop artist in history, he expanded the culture of
hip hop in many ways. One example is how certain rappers
express themselves now, fashion, and a mentality of never
giving up has been inspired by Tupac. His mother was Black
Panther Afeni Shakur. He was raised by many social activists
during his youth. Tupac lived in Harlem, Baltimore, and in
Marin City, California. Tupac was born poor. He had a gift of
writing poetry (filled with iambic pentameter, etc.) and
performing hip hop. His mentors (like Altron Gregory, Leila
Steinberg, etc.) helped him to start his career in Digital
Underground and his solo career. As a great actor, he was in
films like Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim, and other films.
Tupac helped to make hip hop a more global artform. He has
inspired people the world over to follow their dreams. Also,
Tupac has a strong work ethic. Constantly making songs, he
always loved music. From documentaries to T-Shirts, his
influence is everywhere. Always outspoken, he never
compromised in his core convictions. Not many people know
that he was married to Keisha Morris, and his last girlfriend was
Kidida Jones. Tupac survived so much as he was monitored by
the FBI, shot multiple times before his passing, and had to
provide for his family. Dear Mama is one of his greatest records
as an artist. He passed away in September 1996 when I was in
the 8th grade. I remember that day just like yesterday. I thought
that he would survive, but he didn't. It was not only a sad time
for the hip hop community. It was a sad time for us when an
innocent man was unjustly murdered by cowards. Life would
never be the same. Yet, the Tupac Shakur Foundation to this
very day has saved many lives of the youth to perform music
and the rest of the arts. Tupac's legacy is about how you should
never discount a person's aptitude for greatness based on a
person's zipcode or background. You must allow a person to
grow, to experience life, and to find the greatness inherited in
his or her own soul to reach heights of glory. Passionate,
brutally honest, and having a political consciousness are all
accurate descriptions of him. Tupac Shakur was a person who
lived a short life, but his experience will spark the brains of
those who will further change the world.
Rest in Power Brother Tupac Shakur.
 SOME OF THE PROMINENT ALBUMS OF THE 1990’S

Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation REM’s Automatic for the Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (1992) Nas’s Illmatic (1994)
of Lauryn Hill (1998) People (1992)

Nirvana’s In Utero (1993) Fiona Apple’s Tidal (1996) The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready Tupac’s All Eyez on Me (1996)
to Die (1994)

U2’s Achtung Baby (1991) Wu Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu Nirvana’s Nevermind (1991) Erykah Badu’s Baduzim (1997)
Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

Missy Elliot’s Supa Dupa Fly A Tribe Called Quest’s Low The Smashing Pumpkins’s Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black
(1997) End Theory (1991) Mellon Collie and the In nite Planet (1990)
Sadness (1995)

Fugees’s The Score (1996) Radiohead’s OK Computer Bjork’s Post (1995) Nas’s It Was Written (1996)
(1997)
The year of 1998 was a monumental year in music history. The Brisbane, Australia band of Savage
Garden released the song of Turly Madly Deeply. The bleugrass and country music group of The Chicks
released their debut album of Wide Open Spaces by January 1998. The 1990’s British band of Al Saints
had the hit single Never Ever by January 1998. Their debut album of the same name would be 5 times
platinum. The electronic duo called Air form France had their debut album called Moon Safari. Brimful
of Asha was a song made by UK group of Cornershop. One of the most prominent songs of Celine Dion
would be My Heart Will Go On. It would be number one in America and the UK. It was part of the
soundtrack of the film Titanic which won an Oscar, the Golden Globe award, and many Grammy
Awards. The song sold over 18 million copies. Busta Rhymes’s song of Dangerous is popular in 1997 and
early 1998. It is part of his album of When Disaster Strikes. Turn It up was his prominent single too.
People like Train, Jason Nevins, and Will Smith (with his song Gettin’ Jiggy With It) released their own
music to the public. By 1998, Destiny’s Child would be international superstars with their single No,
No, No by March of 1998. The group is based in Houston, Texas being helped by The Fugees’ Wyclef
Jean. The brothers of K-Ci and Jo Jo (from Jodeci group being from Monroe, North Carolina) released
a great song called All My Life. It would be number one by April 1998, being triple platinum in America.
People like Massive Attack (from Bristol, England), Catalonia, Marcy Playground, and Lenny Kravitz
(with his single Fly Away) show music to the world. My May 1998, Mariah Carey shown her single My
All part of her album Butterfly. Honey was her single from the album too with hip hop influences. DMX
released his debut album in May of 1998 called It’s Dark and H__ Is Hot. It would debut number one in
America and be 4 times platinum. Hs singles from the album include Get At Me Dog, Stop Being
Greedy, etc. Too Close is a single from the Minneapolis, Minnesota group of Next would be very popular
too. Brandy and Monica released the song of The Boy is Mine in June 1998 selling over 2 million copies
being the best single of the year. Shania Tawin is a country single who released the song You’re Still the
One. The song is from her album Come On Over. The album is one of the best-selling ever at more than
23 million copies being sold. Alternative rock band Semisonic released the single of Closing Time.
Country artist Lucinda Williams, Beastie Boys, and Madonna (who released the album of Ray of Light
in July 1998 with songs like Ray of Light, Frozen, etc. selling over 16 million copies worldwide) showed
their art. By August 1998, the Bakersfield, California Nu Metal band Koran released their third album
Follow the Leader. Kid Rock showed his single Cowboy.

Rio MP3 is the first digital media player that is commercially successful to be released by September
1998 after the RIAA failed to sue and stop them. Sarah McLachlan released the song Aida, and she is
from Halifax, Nova Scotia. UK singer Robbie Williams released his single Millennium. Outkast released
their song of Aquemini with the single Rosa Parks being double platinum in September 1998.
Aerosmith, Marilyn Manson, Hole, the New Radicals, Placebo, and Barenaked Ladies shown rock music
in various means. Monica in October 1998 had her single of The First Night from her 2 nd album The Boy
is Mine. The album is triple platinum in America. Lauryn Hill released her groundbreaking debut album
of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She is from New Jersey. The album would talk about spirituality,
womanhood, love, and other conscious issues. The album would sell over 19 million copies and win
multiple Grammys. It had singles like Doo Wop (That Thing), X-Factor, etc. That album sent a huge
revolutionary change in the industry with its messages. It came out when I was a teenager. The punk
rock band The Offspring released their album called Americana. Alanis Morisette released her album
 called Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie in November of 1998 and Cher released her single of Believe.
Shawn Mullins released the song Lullaby. DMX released his 2nd 1998 album of Flesh of my Flesh, Blood
of My Blood being the second artist to have two albums released in the same year debut at number one
on the Billboard 200. The first artist was Tupac Shakur in 1996. R&B singer and Afro-Canadian sister
Deborah Cox had the hit single Nobody’s Supposed to Be here by December 1998. This song is from her
sconed album One Wish which would go platinum in America.

The Verve is a rock Screaming Trees Living Colour was Green Day is an Radiohead are an English
band from England represented the created in 1984 in American rock band rock band formed in
with lead vocalist grunge rock music New York City. They formed in the East Bay Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in
Richard Ashcroft, scene with elements persisted with their of California in 1987 by 1985. They comprise
guitarist Nick McCabe, of neo-psychedelia, music into the lead vocalist and Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar,
bass guitarist Simon hard rock, and 1990’s and into the guitarist Billie Joe piano, keyboards);
Jones and drummer country rock. They 21st century. They Armstrong and bassist brothers Jonny
Peter Salisbury. have been playing used hard rock, funk and backing vocalist Greenwood (guitar,
Guitarist and keyboard music since 1984. metal, and Mike Dirnt, with keyboards, other
player Simon Tong They were formed in alternative metal. drummer Tré Cool instruments) and Colin
later became a Ellensburg, The band currently joining in 1990. In 1994, Greenwood (bass); Ed
member in their rst Washington state. consists of guitarist their major-label debut O'Brien (guitar, backing
reunion only. They Their members Vernon Reid, lead Dookie, released vocals); and Philip Selway
were formed in 1990. included vocalist vocalist Corey through Reprise (drums, percussion). They
They had an LP named Mark Lanegan, Glover, drummer Will Records, became a have worked with producer
A Storm in Heaven. guitarist Gary Lee Calhoun and bassist breakout success, and Nigel Godrich and cover
Bitter Sweet Conner, bassist Van Doug Wimbish (who eventually shipped over artist Stanley Donwood
Symphony in 1997 was Conner, and replaced Muzz 10 million copies in the since 1994. Radiohead's
one of their most drummer Mark Skillings in 1992). U.S. Alongside fellow experimental approach is
popular songs. Pickerel. Pickerel The band's lyrics California punk bands credited with advancing
was replaced by range from the Bad Religion, the the sound of alternative
Barrett Martin in personal to the Offspring, Rancid, rock. The song Creep and
1991. Dollar Bill was political, including NOFX, Pennywise and the album OK Computer
one of their many social commentary Social Distortion, Green influenced alternative rock.
songs. on racism in the Day is credited with
United States. popularizing
mainstream interest in
punk rock in the U.S.
 Runaway from
1995 is one of
Janet Jackson’s
greatest vocal
performances
with excellence
choreography in
its music video.
Long before other icons like Beyonce,
Missy Elliot, and Brandy, she has been
around to show groundbreaking songs,
elaborate music videos, and constant,
excellent dancing. She helped to cause
society to give more creative and economic
opportunities for African American artists in
the modern age. She worked hard to be
one of the greatest musicians of all time.
She has been a singer, songwriter, actress,
and dancer since the 1970's. She is Sister
Janet Jackson, and she is now 57 years old.
For almost six decades, she has lived a life
lled with overcoming obstacles,
reinventing R&B music, being a role model
for so many women (especially black
women) and showing a stage performance
that can't never be forgotten. Janet Jackson
loved to break down racial and gender
barriers in the decades of our generation.
She was born in the Midwestern city of
Gary, Indiana. She is the youngest child of
the Jackson family. Her mother Katherine
Jackson was a musician, and his father
Joseph Jackson was a worker and former
boxer. Janet Jackson worked with the
Jackson Five in the Chicago-Gary area. She
moved to the Encino neighborhood of Los
Angeles, California. She performed on the
variety show of The Jacksons in 1976.
Janet Jackson performed with his brothers
at the Las Vegas Strip when she was 7
years old.
She worked on shows like Good Times, A
New Kind of Family, and Diff'rent Strokes.
Janet Jackson made her debut album in
1982. It was produced by many legends
from Angela Winbush to Leon Sylvers. She
made Dream Street too. The album of
Control with producers Jimmy Jam and
Terry Lewis changed her life and music in
general. Janet Jackson wanted to be her
own woman and make her own legacy as
an artist. The album of Control did it. It
came out in 1986 with new jack swing
influences early on. Her music like Control
and The Pleasure Principle outlines her
great dancing abilities. The lyrical content
of her music was about empowerment.
Rhythm Nation 1814 was an album talking
about conscious issues and with songs
about love from Escapade, Alright, Black
Act, and Rhythm Nation. She influenced so
much culture with her acting and music
career. She acted in Poetic Justice. She
made her album of Janet. That's the Way
Loves Goes is Janet's song about being
introspective about love. Her song with
Michael called Scream in 1995 was about
refuting the allegations about themselves.
Here is Janet Jackson in 1993 at
MTV talking about her world tour
in celebrating her album called
Janet. Bill Bellamey interviewed her
and her world-famous dancers too.
Janet Jackson made the provocative
album The Velvet Rope. This was in late
1997. The Velvet Rope talked about
everything, and I do mean everything from
romance to domestic violence, and love in
general. Janet Jackson donated proceeds
from the song Together Again to the
American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Janet Jackson worked with more people
from Shaggy, Blackstreet, and Busta
Rhymes. She worked on more movies from
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps to For
Colored Girls. Janet Jackson influenced
tons of artists from Aaliyah, Destiny's Child,
Usher, etc.
By the 21st century, she made classic
songs like All for You, Feedback, Make Me,
and No Sleep (featuring J. Cole). The
documentary of Janet Jackson came on
Lifetime and A&E on January 28 and 29,
2022. Janet Jackson helped to break
cultural boundaries and show music that is
loved by everyone. Some of the greatest
choreography shown in music videos and
performances have been shown by Janet
Jackson. Janet Jackson earned ve
Grammys, 11 Billboard Music Awards, 1
American Music Awards, and was inducted
to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Janet Jackson loves her son
unconditionally.
 1999 and the Pop Explosion
1999 was the end of the 1990's filled with music influenced by techno, hip hop, electronic, R&B, soul,
neo-soul, jazz, gospel, rock fusion, and other genres. By January 1999, the London, England DJ and
producer Fatboy Slim (a.k.a. Norman Cook) has his first #1 UK solo single with "Praise You." The hit
video for the single features guerilla-style videography of flash mob dancers outside a theatre. The song
is from Slim's second album You've Come A Long Way, Baby #1 UK. At the same time, the Swedish
singer Eagle-Eye Cherry has a hit with his single "Save Tonight" reaching #5 US and #6 UK more than
a year and a half after its initial release. Cherry is the son of jazz trumpeter Don Cherry and the half-
brother of singer Neneh Cherry. In 1998 and in early 1999, Britney Spears was a superstar in the pop
industry. The McComb, Mississippi actor, and singer Britney Spears, a former cast member of The
Mickey Mouse Club, hit's #1 in the US and UK with her debut single "...Baby One More Time." The
song is the title track from her debut album which hits #1 US, #2 UK and sold 25 million copies
worldwide. The Orange County, California alternative rock band Lit found success with their second
album A Place in the Sun which went platinum in America. By February 1999, the rapper Eminem
(Marshall Mathers) had his major label debut album The Slim Shady LP #2 US, #10 UK. Produced by
Dr. Dre and others, the album goes 4X Platinum in the US and multi- Platinum UK. The album's lead
single "My Name Is" hits #36 US and #2 UK. In February 1999, there was the third album from Silkk
The Shocker (Vyshonn Miller) a New Orleans, Louisiana rapper debuts at US #1. The single "It Ain't
My Fault Pt. 2", featuring labelmate Mystikal, reach #18 US Hot 100 and #1 US Rap. The album is the
second in a row to reach US Platinum for The Shocker. Blondie and NYSNC released music.
By April 1999, after declaring bankruptcy at the height of their success in 1995, Atlanta R&B/hip hop
group TLC are back with their third album Fanmail #1 US, #7 UK. The album produces two US #1
singles "No Scrubs" #3 UK and "Unpretty" #6 UK. The album goes 6X US Platinum and sells 14 million
copies worldwide. Sugar Ray has the song Every Morning, Buckcherry had its debut album and the
Dublin, Ireland woman band of B*Witched had the hit "C'est La Vie." By May 1999, Kiss was the song
from the Christian Rock band Sixpence None the Richer from New Braunfels, Texas. The group breaks
into the US Top 100 at #2 with their single "Kiss Me" #4 UK. The song is from the group's self-titled
third album which goes to US Platinum. The group's cover of The La's song "There She Goes" hits #32
US, #14 UK. Latin music star Ricky Martin, who began his music career at age 12 in the Puerto Rican
boy band Menudo, hits #1 in both the US and UK with the single "Livin' La Vida Loca". The song is
from Martin's self-titled fifth studio album which charts at #1 US, #2 UK and sells 15 million copies
worldwide. Ricky Martin's music was shown everywhere. By May of 1999, Backstreet Boys released the
Millennium album. It would be 13 X platinum in America and sell over 24 million copies worldwide.
Jacksonville, Florida nu metal, rap rock band Limp Bizkit hit #1 US with their second album Significant
Other #10 UK. The album features two of the band's biggest hits "Nookie" #3 US Alternative and "Re-
Arranged" #1 US Alternative. The album goes 7X Platinum in the US. 1999 was the time when a new
school rock/rap hybrid movement started to increase in the mainstream music industry. By June 1999,
the Pioneering digital peer-to-peer file-sharing application Napster debuted. The software allowed users
to easily share MP3 audio files across the internet. The company ran into legal issues related to copyright
infringement initiated by major record labels and many musicians. Later, Napster was forced into
bankruptcy. Napster was gone, but Napster gave birth to future streaming services (after CD sales drop
in the 21st century) like Spotify. Other services like Limewire and Gnutella followed too. Bronx, New
York City singer and actor Jennifer Lopez hits #1 US, #4 UK with her first single "If You Had My Love."
The song is from her debut album On The 6 which charts at #8 US, #14 UK and goes US Triple
Platinum. The second single "Waiting For Tonight" also goes Top Ten in both the US and UK. Canadian
country singer Shania Twain has another crossover pop hit with her single "That Don't Impress Me
Much" #7 US, #3 UK. It is the third US/UK Top Ten hit from her third album Come On Over which
goes 2X Diamond in the US and sells over 23 million copies worldwide. 98 Degrees, from Los Angeles,
released their song of The Hardest Thing. Groups like Slipknot and Pearl Jam released music and
albums. Blink 182 had music.

By July 1999, the Houston, Texas girl group Destiny's Child have their first US #1 hit with the single
"Bills, Bills, Bills" #6 UK. The song is the lead single from the group's second album The Writing's On
The Wall #5 US, #10 UK. The album's third single "Say My Name" also hits #1 US in early 2000. The
album goes 8X Platinum in the US. Destiny's Child by the end of the 1990's were already iconic and
outstanding with their impact on R&B culture. Macy Gray had the song I Try and Christina Aguilera
had the song of Genie in a Bottle. By July of 1999, Woodstock '99 was held in Rome, New York 100 miles
away from the original site. MTV provided live coverage and headliners included Rage Against The
Machine, Limp Bizkit, Metallica, DMX, and many others. 400,000 attended, but the festival is marred
by vandalism and violence. LFO had the single Summer Girls and Smash Mouth had the song All-Star.
 AN ODE TO THE LATE SISTER AALIYAH

The late Sister Aaliyah was the young woman who defined a generation of R&B music. She was one of the
most influential artists of all time. People have called her the Princess of R&B and the Queen of Urban Pop.
She showed R&B, pop, and hip-hop cultural excellence. She was born in Brooklyn, New York to Diane and
Michael Haughton. Her brother was Rashad. By the time she was five years old, she moved to Detroit,
Michigan. She played a role in the play Annie in the Gesu Elementary Catholic school. Aaliyah's mother was
a singer, and her uncle was an entertainment lawyer who was married to Gladys Knight. Aaliyah was on Star
Search in 1989 when she was 10 years old. She had pet animals like ducks, snakes, and iguanas. She
attended Detroit schools. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing
Arts. Her first album was released in 1994 mixing R&B and hip hop. Her single of Black and Forth was
revolutionary in music. By 1996, her 2nd album was One in a Million. That album was produced by Timbaland
and Missy Elliott (both people being from Virginia in the 757). I'm from the 757, so I know both producers very
well. In that album, it had songs like Hot Like Fire, 4 Page Letter, and other songs. She worked with Magoo and
others on the song Up Jumps da Doogie being part of the Virginia music movement. She acted in New York
Undercover, made the cover of Journey to the Past as part of the Anastasia soundtrack, and was in the movie
Romeo Must Die in 1999. After making the song Try Again, she released her last album Aaliyah.

Aaliyah Playing Trish in Romeo Must Die was a classic role from her.
That album was released on July 17, 2001, having records like We Need a Resolution and Rock the Boat. More
Than a Woman and I Care 4 U were released posthumously. She planned to be on the Matrix series and
Sparkle. We know how Aaliyah passed away. We know of her legacy being a greatly talented artist who loved
life and her fans. Her soprano voice had glorious falsetto elements. As having a down-to-earth personality,
Aaliyah was a young lady who had amazing charisma, great inspiration, and a humble spirit. She passed away
on August 25, 2001, when I was just a freshman in college. It was a sad time. I was in my grandmother's house
when I heard the news. Aaliyah had a gentle soul whose beauty was beyond her physical appearance. It was
her personality and gracious soul that made her beautiful as a black woman too.

Rest in Power Sister Aaliyah.

 POP artists OF THE 1990’S THAT ARISEN (IN
PREPARATION OF 21ST CENTURY MUSIC)

Christina Aguilera has a All 4 One is a group that I Britney Spears

powerful voice. Back in the late remembered during the 1990’s. helped to take teen
1990’s, he had more innocent The California band had singles pop to the next level
songs. By the 21st century, she like I Swear, So Much in Love, and with her 1998 single
took more risks in her music. I Can Love You Like That. All 4 of Baby One More
One brought down barriers in Time.
music.

By the late 1990’s, music changed greatly from

the early 1990’s. For example, there was more
soulful sounds during the early to mid-1990’s
(like with music from En Vogue and SWV) and The Backstreet
Mandy Moore was the late 1990’s had a more electronic, futuristic Boys came about in
born in Nashua, 1993 at Orlando,
New Hampshire to sounds (with the Timbaland/Missy Elliot Florida. They were
be a world-famous inspired beats found in the music of Aaliyah, very popular by 1996
singer, songwriter, etc.). During the late 1990’s, these pop groups with their debut
and actress. Her album of Backstreet
debut single was ourished with diverse sounds and lyrics about Boys. By 1997 and
Candy in 1999. love and dating. We saw tons of teenagers in beyond, they had
various stadiums desiring to listen to people international
popularity.
like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and
other human beings. ese groups set up a
foundation for the future music of the 21st
century from the chords, the notes, and the
fashion styles. During the late 1990’s, I was in
high school. e 1990’s was a very exciting
Jessica Simpson is a
Texas singer from
decade in my life, which is why tons of older NYSNC flourished
Millennials like me have nostalgia for the during the 1990’s and
who went from
early 2000’s with a
singing at church 1990’s indeed. large teenage fan base.
choirs to sold out
arenas. Her rst
album was Sweet
Kisses in 1999.

98 Degrees was
based in Los Angeles
showing pop music
about love and
romance.
 This image showed No Doubt and its session/touring
musicians on Today in 2009. From left to right, the
following people are: Tom Dumont, Stephen Bradley,
Adrian Young, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Gabrial
McNair.

Just a Girl (from 1995)

from No Doubt wanted
to confront the
erroneous stereotype
that women must
confirm to a monolithic,
restrictive life that
confirms to
mainstream society.

The rock band of No Doubt was
created by members of Generation
X in Anaheim (at Southern
California) that wanted to express
angst, love, music, and a sense of
togetherness. They remain one of
the greatest bands of the 1990’s and
beyond. The band was born in
1986. Their debut album existed in
1992. One of their greatest albums
was Tragic Kingdom in 1995 with
the single of Don’t Speak. I heard
of the song Don’t Speak back in the
1990’s when I was almost 13 years
old.
Gwen Stefani was the lead vocalist
of the band, and other members
have great importance in No Doubt
too. They are known to make rock
music with ska influences. Their
music like Just a Girl, Simple King
of Life, Hey Baby, Sunday
Morning, New, Underneath It All
(with Lady Saw), Push and Shove,
and Settle Down are certainly
influential in their punk influenced
rock vibe. It important to note that
one original member was a Brother
named John Spence. He passed
away in 1987.
John Spence did back flips, stage
dives, and was a great crowd
controller back in the 1980’s. The
members of No Doubt have
established their own solo projects
and collaborations too. The band
sold over 33 million records
worldwide. No Doubt has been
also influenced by new wave,
alternative rock, pop punk, reggae
fusion, reggae, electropop,
dancehall, pop, and post-grunge
genres of music too.
In August 1999, Las Vegas, Nevada R&B girl group 702, named after the Vegas area code, hit #4 US, #22
UK with their single "Where My Girls At?" The song is from the group's self-titled second album on the
Motown label which charts at #34 US and goes Platinum. I heard that song everywhere in 1999.
Canadian singer-songwriter Tal Bachman has a hit with his debut single "She's So High" charting at #14
US, #30 UK. Bachman is the son of former Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive co-founder
Randy Bachman. The single is from Bachman's self-titled debut album #124 US. David Bowie had the
album of Hours. Ben Harper, Enrique Iglesias, and Eiffel 65 had hit songs. On October 1999, New York
singer Mariah Carey has her 14th US #1 single with "Heartbreaker" #5 UK which features Brooklyn
rapper Jay Z (Shawn Carter). The track is from Carey's seventh album Rainbow which charts at #2 US,
#8 UK, and sells eight million copies worldwide. The first Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is
held in Indio, California over two days. The event featured almost 80 acts with headliners Beck, Tool,
and Rage Against The Machine. Attendance was well below expectations at 20,000 per day, causing the
concert promoters to take an $850,000 loss at the event. This was in October of 1999. Scar Tissue was a
hit song from LA band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smooth was a song by Santana and Rob Thomas. P
Diddy had the song Satisfy You with R. Kelly. The song is from Combs' second album Forever which
charts at #2 US and #9 UK. The album went Platinum in the US. The hit song of Mambo No. 5 came
from Munich, West Germany singer Lou Bega. Marc Anthony had the song of I Need to Know and
Jessica Simpson had the song of I Wanna Love You Forever. Signed to New Orleans label Cash Money
Records at the age of 12, Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) released his solo debut album Tha Block
Is Hot at age 17 and charted at #3 US. The album's title track charts at #24 US Rap and the album went
Platinum in the US. This was in November of 1999.
 Commemorating Musicians who Recently Passed Away in 2024
Some sad, shocking news is that the gospel singer Mandisa
has passed away. She was born in Citrus Heights, California.
She transitioned in Nashville, Tennessee on April 18, 2024.
She was only 47 years old. As an expert of music, she loved
to express her vocal talents. Many know her for being on
American Idol. She worked hard in her journey of life. Being a
graduate of the HBCU of Fisk University, her degree was a
Bachelor of Music with a concentration in vocal performance.
Her songs like Only the World, God Speaking, and
Overcomer, her walk with God was very special. Her family
and friends speak of her kindness, generosity, and glorious
smile. She was open about her struggles in life, and we show
the same kindness and courtesy to her dignity. At the end of
the day, she was an overcame so much and her wings in the
aftermath will be so much more glorious.
Rest in Power Sister Mandisa.
Dickey Betts lived from December 12, 1943, to April 18, 2024
as an American guitarist, singer, composer, and founding
member of the rock band of The Allman Brothers Band. He
was the lead guitarist of the band for years. Betts was the
writer and singer on the Allmans’ hit single of Ramblin’ Man.
Later, he composed instrumentals that appeared on most of
the group’s albums. Betts was born in West Palm Beach,
Florida. He passed away at Osprey, Florida at the age of 80
years old. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and won a best rock performance
Grammy Award with the band for "Jessica" in 1996,
Sandra Crouch was a legendary gospel singer, drummer, and
songwriter. She lived from July 1, 1942, to March 17, 2024. By
1984, she won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel
Performance, Female for her 1983 album of “We Sing Praises.”
During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Sandra Crouch played
the tambourine on many Motown recording sessions in Los
Angeles like The Jackson 5 hits of I Want You Back and ABC.
He had a twin brother named Andrae. She and her brother co-
pastored the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in
Pacoima, California. Andrae Crouch passed away in 2015.
Sandra Crouch lived to be 81 years old.
Rest in Power Sister Sandra Crouch
Rico Wade was a famous producer involving hip hop music
who was the cornerstone of Organized Noize and Dungeon
Family. Both groups were based in Atlanta, Georgia. Rico
Wade was one prominent producer who helped to create the
modern-day hip-hop sound of Atlanta. He worked with
Outkast, TLC (Rico Wade co-wrote the TLC song of
Waterfalls), Goodie Mob, Future, etc. As a fan of the Atlanta
Falcons team, he worked hard to promote the culture of the
city of Atlanta. He lived to be 52 years old. Rico Wade loved
his wife and his children.
Rest in Power Brother Rico Wade
 Madonna of the 1990’s
Whether people like her or not, she
wasn’t playing games in the 1990’s.
Back then, I heard of Madonna (who
was born in 1958) and the
controversies she had. Back then,
Bedtime Stories from America was a much conservative
1994 was one of her nation than it is today, so what she
was doing in the 1990’s was very
unique albums.
taboo. Madonna is known for
reinvention, versality, and breaking
C P down barriers of how sexuality is
shown in music videos like 2 Live
O R Crew. Before 2 Live Crew, N.W.A.,
and Madonna, Betty Davis did that
back in the 1970’s. Madonna using
N O religion, political, and sexual themes
continue to inspire her in the 21st
T & V century. Justify My Love in 1990 (MTV
once banned the video from being
R O aired during that time), Vogue,
Erotica in 1992, and Human Nature
in 1993 explored sexual fantasies,
O C sadomasochism, sexual
exploration, dancing, etc. Madonna
V A wanted independent women
expression in music videos and
literature like her controversial book
E T called “SEX.” By the late 1990’s she
embraced Kabbalah with her album
R I Ray of Light. Me personally, I don’t
agree with all her statements like her
comments about Janet Jackson, her
S V statement about Whitney Houston,
and her statement that she doesn’t
I E care if she goes to Hell (in a concert
in Syndey, Australia in 1993). I want
that to be made clear. From movies,
A winning awards, defending her art,
and inspiring future artists, Madonna
L remains an important part of the
history of pop music.
 SOME OF THE GREATEST TELEVISION SHOWS OF THE 1990’S
As one of the most hilarious,
influential sitcoms of all time, Martin
(1992-1997) featured talented black
Americans who wanted to make us
laugh. From Martin Lawence, Tisha
Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II,
Thomas Mikal Ford, Tichina Arnold,
and other people, Martin remains
pivotal in our culture (the cast
reunited at the 2024 75th Primetime
Emmy Awards).
Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
described a coming-of-age story
created by Michael Jacobs and April
Kelly. It focused on the life of Cory
Matthews (played by Ben Savage)
and his family and friends in dealing
with teenage years and early
adulthood. Will Friedle, Besty Randle,
Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, William
Russ, Trina McGree-Savis, and other
people star in the show too.
The medical drama of ER (1994-
2009) took the genre of medical
series to the next level and into the
next century. There is no Grey’s
Anatomy without ER. ER is focused on
the Cook County General Hospital
starring Anthony Edward, George
Clooney, Eriq La Salle, Gloria Reuben,
Noah Wyle, Sherry Stringfield, Mekhi
Phifer, Laura Innes, etc.
The science fiction drama series of
The X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018)
gave the younger generation the
opportunity to witness a show about
UFO researchers trying to find the
truth about aliens and UFOs. David
Duchovny and Gillian Anderson act as
a great detective team in their jobs.
The 2008 film of The X Files: I Wat to
Believe existed too along with the past
1998 film of The X-Files.
Law & Order (1990-2010, 2022 to the
present) remains one of the most
important TV shows of all time in
dealing with the judicial system. The
show focused on the basics of a
criminal case, the prosecution, the
judge, the defense, and the verdict.
Sam Waterston has been one of the
many primary people on the show for
over 20 years.
Long before The Chappelle Show and
Martin, In Living Color (1990-1994)
was one of the most innovative sketch
comedy shows in human history. It was
created, written, and starred by
Keenan Ivory Wayans. The Wayans
family, Jim Carrey, Tommy Davison,
Jamie Fox, T’Keyah Crystal Keymah,
Kelly Coffield Park, and The Fly Girls
performed on the show. The show
dealt with race, class, sex, and culture.
NY Undercover (1994-1999) is one of
my favorite shows growing up. I
watched that show during the 1990s. It
is about detectives with an urban
background and a pro-hip hop culture
fighting crimes all over New York City.
The show starred Malik Yoba, Michael
DeLorenzo, Patti D’Arbanville-Quinn,
Lauren Velez, Jonathan LaPaglia, and
other human beings. The show dealt
with police brutality, race, sexism,
church bombings, gangs, music, and
HIV/AIDS.
The original series of Living Single
(1993-1998) was created by Yvette
Lee Browser. Six Generation X New
York City friends who are shared their
dreams and professional experiences.
They live in a Brooklyn Brownstone. It
was one show that influenced future
shows in detailing the complex
relationships and friendships of black
people in America. Queen Latifah, Kim
Coles, Erika Alexandr, Kim Fields, T.C.
Carson, John Henton, and Mel
Jackson worked hard to give great
performances in Living Single.
Saved by the Bell (1989-1993) showed
the story of suburban high school kids
(played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin
Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Tiffani-Amber
Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez,
etc.). who experience teenage angst and
many social issues from drug use,
women’s rights, dating, the ecosystem,
D.U.I, etc. The characters of the show
were talented.
Friends (1994-2004) featured a cast of
people like Jennifer Aniston, Courteney
Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlance, the late
Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer.
The show is about young 20s and 30s
people who work and live in Manhattan,
New York defining their legacies as
human beings. The cast showed
romance, love, career goals, and other
aspects of human living in a complex
world.
Family Matters (1989-1998) is about an
African American family in Chicago
whose father is a policeman. The show
also revolves around the relationship of
Kellie Shanygne Williams (playing Laura)
and the eccentric, clumsy Jaleel White
(playing Steve Urkel) as they grow from
neighbors into blossoming lovers in a
surprising twist. The series also stars
Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton,
Telma Hopkins, Darius McCrary, Rosetta
LeNoire, Shawn Harrison, Bryton
McClure, Michelle Thomas, Jaimee
Foxworth, etc.
Full House (1987-1995) was an
underrated ABC sitcom that was created
by Jeff Franklin. The show is about a
widowed father Danny Tanner who works
with his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis
and childhood best friend Joey Gladstone
to help raise his three daughters. John
Stamos, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier,
Candace Cameron, Joei Sweetin, Mary-
Kate and Ashley Olsen, and other people
star in the show. Full House featured
many stories, adventures, and a unique
theme song.
The Simpsons (1989- the present) is the
longest running American aminated series,
the longest running American sitcom, and
the longest running American scripted
primetime TV series. The show outlines the
joy and imperfections of the Simpsons
family in overt terms. Homer, Marge, Bart,
Lisa, and Maggie Simpson are joined in
some of the most entertaining aminated
adventures of all time.
The show of Seinfeld (1989-1994) was
created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.
It has nine seasons and 180 episodes
about the personal lives of Seinfeld and his
three friends played by Jason Alexander,
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards.
The show is based on Manhattan’s Upper
West Side in NYC filled with the minutiae of
daily life. There is standup comedy from
the fictional character of Jerry Seinfeld.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
outline the story of Will Smith playing a
fictional character who evolves from a
street-smart person from Philadelphia to a
more humble, multifaceted resident of Bel-
Air, Los Angeles where he lives with his
upper-class relatives. Adventures abound
in this show being one of the greatest
shows of all time featuring James Avery,
Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro,
Karyn Parson, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph
Marcell, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Daphen Maxwell
Reid, Ross Bagley, etc.
The mystery documentary show of
Unsolved Mysteries (1987-2010, 2020 to
the present) was formed by John
Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer. Robert
Stack, Raymond Burr, Karl Malden, Virginia
Madsen, and Dennis Farina. Hosted the
show. The show deals with trying to solve
mysteries about conspiracies, UFOs,
ghosts, unsolved crimes, and missing
persons. The eerie theme song was
composed by Michael Boyd and Gary
Remal Malkin. The 2020 theme song of the
show was arranged, performed, and
recorded by West Dylan Thordson.
 SOME OF THE GREAT PERFORMANCES OF THE 1990’S

Whitney Houston gave The Star-Spangled Banner song as a charity song to raise funds for the soldiers and
families of those involved in the Persian Gulf War. She sang it during the Super Bowl XXV during 1991 at the
original Tampa Stadium. It was an unforgettable performance. The source of the image above is the following:
Creator: George Rose, Credit: Getty Images, Copyright: 1991.

The entertainer Michael Jackson gave a stirring performance at Super Bowl XXVII’s halftime show. It took
place at Pasadena, California on January 31, 1993. He was introduced by James Earl Jones. He performed
many songs like Jam, Billie Jean, Black or White, We Are the World, Heal the World, the beginning of Another
Part of Me.

Back in 1998, when I was 15 years old, I remember the famous duet of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston in
the song of When You Believe came about (as part of the Prince of Egypt soundtrack about the Exodus). They
were at the absolute best vocally during that historic time.
The 1990's was the time when most of my childhood existed. I witnessed shows like A Different
World, Moesha, The Wayans Brothers, The Parent Hood, The Simpsons, Martin, Living Single,
Mighty Max, Power Rangers, and Batman: The Animated series during that time period. It was a
time of massive cultural explosion internationally. We saw the end of the Cold War back then
along with musical and technological developments from the cloning of sheep, the Human
Genome Project, gene therapy trials, lithium-ion batteries, Microsoft Word, and the expansion of
the Internet. This post-Cold War decade saw music that was lively and diverse. Music dealt with
the individual, honest, and complex human experience. From Gangsta's Paradise from Coolio ft.
LV to Baby from Mariah Carey, human emotions were shown in a raw fashion. The youth
worldwide loved to listen to grunge, hip hop, Eurodance, rock, country, gospel, funk, jazz, and
house music. Teen R&B and pop cultural musicians expanded with artists like Aaliyah, Brandy,
Monica, Britney Spears, 98 Degrees, etc. Grunge acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple
Pilot were very popular along with alternative rock acts like R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Creed,
Everclear, Bush, etc. The 1990's saw hip hop become more resilient, debated, and grown to the
next level with Salt-n-Pepa, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Tupac, the Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay Z, Outkast, Wu-
Tang Clan, The Fugees, etc. Punk Rock saw a resurgence with Blink-182, Green Day, No Doubt,
Goldfinger, etc. We saw rave and EDM with Moby and Bjork. Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, etc.
represented country music. By the end of the decades, groups like Spice Girls, Destiny's Child,
Christina Aguilera, En Vogue, Dru Hill, Mya, Whitney Houston, etc. were on the top of their
games expressing lyrics about the value of love and human growth. Sorrow in music existed in the
1990's with very talented artists passing away like Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, Selena, Eazy-E,
Tupac Shakur, and the Notorious B.I.G. The strength of the 1990's was that it focused on
excellence, individuality, and a carefree attitude about unapologetic self-expression. The 1990's
wasn't all roses as hurricanes, racial tensions, church bombings, mass shootings, and other terrible
occurrences did exist back then. Yet, the 1990's did have many positive joys like fair representation
of black Americans on TV shows, diverse musical genres being respected, and a sense of optimism
about the future. Later, we will see the music of the 21st century on an in-depth level.

By Timothy

“Got folk down in Galveston, rooted in

The genre of Country Music will be part of the next
Louisiana
music series soon. It’s time, especially with artists
like Beyonce releasing new music with the album of
Used to say I spoke, "Too country" Cowboy Carter. This new series will show artists
spanning multiple decades, culture, movies, unsung
And the rejection came, said "I wasn't history (especially of black country artists), and
country 'nough" inspiration.

Said I wouldn't saddle up, but The Upcoming History of Country Music
Series
If that ain't country, tell me what is?

Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years Part 1 The Origin of Country Music and Its
Early Years (From the 1920’s to the
They don't, don't know how hard I had to 1950’s)
Part 2 Country Music Grows (The 1960’s
fight for this and the 1970’s)
Part 3 Country Music’s New Generation
When I sang my song” (The 1980’s and the 1990’s)
Part 4 Modern Country Music (From the
-Beyonce’s American Requiem (from her 2000’s to the Present)
2024 Carter Cowboy album) Part 5 The Legacy of Country Music
There is always a once in a lifetime artist who changes
the whole atmosphere of the world. She is one artist who
is not only one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time.
She is one of the most influential musicians of all time.
She broke barriers, increased the power of hip hop, and
gave classic jewels and gems on socially conscious
issues for over 20 years. She is Sister Lauryn Hill, and
she is 48 years old. She was born in East Orange, New
Jersey. Her mother was an English teacher, and her father
was computer and management consultant. She was
raised Baptist. She lived in New York City before living in
South Orange, New Jersey. There were records by Curtis Lauryn Hill had brought forth a
May eld, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys new, mainstream acceptance
Knight that Lauryn Hill listened to. Also, she played Her 1998 album of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill of the genre of hip hop. By the
Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On a lot. She was popular changed everything. It was recorded in Jamaica. It talked 21st century, she worked on
and performed at Amateur Night on It’s Showtime at the about race, gender, black issues, and everything under other endeavors. Lauryn Hill
Apollo in 1988. She was on the track team and the the sun. It was like Lemonade before Lemonade. The helped to change culture of
cheerleading squad at Columbia High School. His Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was one of the greatest showing a representation of
classmate was the actor Zach Braff. Hill is very smart. In albums in history. The title was inspired by the book The diverse black women being
high school, he took dance class, founded the school’s Mis-Education of the Negro (1933) by Carter G. artists and having other
gospel choir, was on advanced placement classes, and Woodson and The Education of Sonny Carson, a lm and occupations. Her 2013 single
had mostly As in school. She worked with the Fugees autobiographical novel. The album had D’Angelo, Carlos was Neurotic Society
starting during the early 1990’s. She had acted in As the Santana, Mary J. Blige, and the then new artist John (Compulsory Mix). Later, she
World Turns, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (with Whoopi Legend. To Zion was a song dedicated to her son Zion was on a song on King
Goldberg), and other lms. Lauryn Hill has amazing Marley. Music from the songs had many classic themes Disease 2 with Nas. Lauryn Hill
talent. She graduated from Columbia High School in found in songs like Los Ones, Can’t Take My Eyes Off helped to popularize melodic
1993. She was in the Fugees and made The Score in You etc. It helped to push neo soul to the next level with hip hop. She merged the lines
1996. It was very popular. The Score won the Grammy artists like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Maxwell, Meshell of hip hop and R&B. Lizzo, Jay
Award for Best Rap Album and was one of the greatest Ndegeocello, and other people. Missy Elliot and others Z, H.E.R., SZA, Beyonce, and
albums in human history. When I was an early teen, I were inspired by her work. Doo Wop (That Thing) was other musicians are all
heard songs like Ready or Not and Fu-Gee-La all the time. popular in defense of self-empowerment, Blackness, and inspired by Lauryn Hill. She
Killing Me Softly was a breakout hit playing homage to community development. Everything is Everything is a wore locs, braids, bantu knots,
Roberta Flack. Lauryn Hill didn’t just talk about conscious great record too. During the 1999 Grammy ceremony, and afros as part of her own
issues. She founded the Refugee Project to help at risk Hill broke another record by becoming the rst woman autonomous way of showing
urban youth in 1996. She raised money for Haitian to win ve times in one night, taking home the awards for the beauty of black women.
refugees, supported clean water well building projects in Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, Lauryn Hill loves all her
Kenya and Uganda. She had a rap concert in Harlem to Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best New children a great deal.
promote voter registration. Artist. During an acceptance speech, she said, "This is
crazy. This is hip-hop!"
 During the next part of this series on Rock Music and Pop Music, there will be a discovery and
concrete analysis of the music of the 21st century. Merging genres characterize a large part of the
music of this current era. People have more of a consciousness about labels, publishing, masters,
contracts, marketing, and other multifaceted aspects of the music industry. This time saw artists of
the 20th century flourish in the 21st century like Beyonce, U2, Kelly Rowland, The Foo Fighters,
Green Day, Brandy, Monica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sade, Mariah Carey, and other human beings.
Also, we have a new generation of artists presenting music in the 21st century like H.E.R., Jon
Baptiste, Victoria Monet, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Adele, Linkin Park, etc. After
Napster was gone, this time saw new streaming services giving more musical access to people via
Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and other entities. By the
2020’s, there is a rise of the growth of country music along with the celebrations of hip hop, R&B,
gospel, jazz, rock and roll, and other forms of musical expression. The same debates about
censorship, the role of music in society, and the essence of music persists now in 2024 just like back
in the day. Subsequently, we must permanently maintain or preserve our core principles of justice,
goodwill, righteousness, humility, understanding, compassion, and excellence (which must be
embraced in our lives).