Evolution of Music in the 90's: Pain & Pleasure Sells
Pain & Pleasure Sells in the 1990s
As times change and our country continues to adapt to its evolution, music coincides with America’s altering state. Musicians of the 1990s apply aspects of their own lives into their lyrics to sell themselves. Whether positive messages or negative, fans envy the lives that musicians in the 1990s sing about. The decade began with an attraction towards street-life, pain and agony in music with bands like the Nirvana and Metallica. Even in other genres like rap music, gang-life and drugs became commonly bragged about. N.W.A, Tupac Shakur, and Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G) all expressed this life in the hood. In addition, pop artists utilize their flawless physical features to sell their music. Madonna and the envious Britney Spears signify this form of lyrical expression. From the early 1990s to today, all of the popular musicians earned their success through their lyrical representation of life. Some found prestige in focusing on life’s hardships, while others chose to express life’s wonders. Either way, artists of the 1990s incorporate aspects of their daily lives into their lyrics to successfully sell their image. In doing so, the artists provide a subject that their fans can relate to and in essence become increasingly fond of. The decade began with an attraction towards heavy metal rock, a craze carrying over from the years before. Long flailing hair, ear piercing guitars, pounding drums, and loud rambling is what made up these compositions. As rock grew increasingly popular, fans began searching for bands with messages they could relate to. Metallica was a perfect example of the changing attitudes of fans. The band was known for their grungy street look and sound. Head bangers admired their quick pace tone, and mainstream music supporters respected their vocals. They continued to sing about true struggles until, of course, they became superstars with no further troubles to speak of. Their music
As times change and our country continues to adapt to its evolution, music coincides with America’s altering state. Musicians of the 1990s apply aspects of their own lives into their lyrics to sell themselves. Whether positive messages or negative, fans envy the lives that musicians in the 1990s sing about. The decade began with an attraction towards street-life, pain and agony in music with bands like the Nirvana and Metallica. Even in other genres like rap music, gang-life and drugs became commonly bragged about. N.W.A, Tupac Shakur, and Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G) all expressed this life in the hood. In addition, pop artists utilize their flawless physical features to sell their music. Madonna and the envious Britney Spears signify this form of lyrical expression. From the early 1990s to today, all of the popular musicians earned their success through their lyrical representation of life. Some found prestige in focusing on life’s hardships, while others chose to express life’s wonders. Either way, artists of the 1990s incorporate aspects of their daily lives into their lyrics to successfully sell their image. In doing so, the artists provide a subject that their fans can relate to and in essence become increasingly fond of. The decade began with an attraction towards heavy metal rock, a craze carrying over from the years before. Long flailing hair, ear piercing guitars, pounding drums, and loud rambling is what made up these compositions. As rock grew increasingly popular, fans began searching for bands with messages they could relate to. Metallica was a perfect example of the changing attitudes of fans. The band was known for their grungy street look and sound. Head bangers admired their quick pace tone, and mainstream music supporters respected their vocals. They continued to sing about true struggles until, of course, they became superstars with no further troubles to speak of. Their music
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