The 1990s may be the last distinct decade when it comes to music. Sure, there are a myriad of big names that have come since, from Nelly to Eminem to Taylor Swift and beyond. But no decade since the ’90s has a feel like that one did.
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Below, we wanted to honor the final decade of the 20th century with a deep dive into nine of its most essential musical icons. From pop stars to rappers and rockers, these nearly two handfuls of performers are emblazoned on the halls of the decade
[RELATED: 5 of the Best Kids Songs from the 1990s]
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the ’90s music.
1. Britney Spears
In 1998, when Britney Spears, the former Mickey Mouse Club performer, released her single, “…Baby One More Time,” she became a star with the snap of some fingers. Taking advantage of all the tropes—the schoolgirl outfit, the high school setting—Spears became the object of affection far and wide. But it was with talent, professionalism, and skill that she stuck around for decades. In some ways, Spears may be relegated to pop starlet, but she is no slouch when it comes to her dance moves, lyrical delivery, and singing voice. She remains an icon today.
2. Justin Timberlake
It’s hard to talk about the 1990s and Britney Spears without talking about Justin Timberlake. The two famously dated and their breakup led to Timberlake’s breakout hit in the 2000s, “Cry Me a River.” But before he hit the stage solo, Timberlake was part of the epic boy band NSYNC, which boasted many hits, including the 1997 song, “Tearin’ Up My Heart.” With his blonde curls and charming smile, Timberlake, another former Mickey Mouse star, became a heartthrob. A status he still enjoys today in many a fan’s mind. With a glorious singing voice and moves like Usher, Timberlake is still turning heads even now.
3. Christina Aguilera
Yet another former Mickey Mouse star turned ’90s icon, Christina Aguilera also dominated the airwaves and MTV broadcasts thanks to her breakout 1999 hit, “Genie in a Bottle.” With swaying hips and a voice like gorilla glue, Aguilera was the apple of many a music fan’s eye. Even though she broke through at the end of the decade, Aguilera’s influence was so fast that she more than deserves a spot on this list. And she’s still earning award nominations and hit singles these days.
4. Dr. Dre
Switching gears, we’re heading back a few years to the early part of the decade when former N.W.A. producer Dr. Dre broke onto the scene as a solo performer with his 1992 album, The Chronic. That record also boasted the debut of another ’90s icon, which we’ll get to below. Dr. Dre, with his sticky beats and deep voice, has become a godfather of rap music. He also helped find two icons of the 2000s, Eminem and, later, 50 Cent. Not bad.
5. Snoop Dogg
We go from the Godfather to the Dogfather. Snoop Dogg, who made his debut on The Chronic, has one of the smoothest deliveries in rap and is one of the most likable personalities. When he released his own solo album following The Chronicz—that album, of course, was Doggystyle in 1993—Snoop was instantly cemented as one of the greats. It was like those rare occasions when an athlete wins Rookie of the Year and MVP in one season. Today, he’s as ubiquitous on TV as Peyton Manning.
6. Kurt Cobain
The handsome tragic hero of grunge, Kurt Cobain led the Pacific Northwest-born rock group Nirvana until he died at 27 years old in 1994. His band, though gone for some 30 years now, remains one of the most beloved and impactful rock groups. His name still makes headlines thanks to his band’s poetic, power-punch of a sound. You can’t talk ’90s without talking grunge and you can’t talk grunge without talking Nirvana and Cobain. Not only was his band the bomb, but he was also married to Courtney Love, whose band Hole was another epic outfit with songs like, “Doll Parts.”
7. Eddie Vedder
Where Cobain was depressive, Eddie Vedder, the frontman for the Seattle-born grunge band Pearl Jam, was hopeful. Both of their groups came from the Seattle area and both shared friends in common. But Eddie, who is still alive and doing great things today with his band, seemed to relish the more positive side of life. Yes, things can get bad. But if you work and believe, there is a better future. Maybe he was right, maybe not. But he often imbued Pearl Jam with that silver lining. Today, his voice remains a powerful entity, one that can still shatter souls.
8. Chris Cornell
While many grunge bands enjoyed success in the 1990s, none boasted a singer like Chris Cornell. In fact, Cornell, the dark and mysterious frontman for Soundgarden, had two voices. The low simmer and the bubbling over banshee shriek. Sadly, like Cobain, Cornell passed away too young, dying by suicide in 2017, but his memory remains today. He is larger than life, thanks to his dual-pronged singing voice that will never be forgotten.
9. Dave Matthews
While grunge was boiling over in the Pacific Northwest, there were some important artists on the East Coast making music that had a bit more sunshine. Blues Traveler, Phish, and Spin Doctors come to mind. But no band had the impact that Dave Matthews and his Charlottesville, Virginia cohorts enjoyed. With songs like “Crash into Me” and “Too Much,” the group became a fan favorite amongst college kids, and as a result, the band has enjoyed more than a handful of No. 1 albums. With Matthews’ charming, irreverent sensibilities, his band of misfits (read: violinist, saxophonist, and a rhythm section) is still drawing tens of thousands to festivals and Labor Day weekend shows.
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