The 25 Greatest ‘90s Bands And Artists

Between rap, rock, R&B and pop music, the ‘90s saw a number of genres flourish throughout the decade. While much of the innovation seen in the ‘90s was a direct result of the musical renaissance that occurred in the ‘80s, several popularized artists and bands of the ‘90s explored new and unprecedented sonic territories, which have since been cemented into contemporary music genres. From grunge to gangsta rap to Britpop, the sub-genres of the ‘90s resonate throughout present day whether through popular current artists or from the ever-growing nostalgia for the decade.

Top Bands And Artists Of The 1990s

While there were a number of musical styles that were born throughout the decade, rock, rap and pop music all saw the biggest innovations. Bands like Nirvana, Pantera and Oasis paved new paths for sub-genres in rock, whereas artists like 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Whitney Houston broke boundaries in the corners of rap and R&B. That’s not to say there were stylistic innovations, however, many of the most notable artists and musical works from the decade derived from these genres.

That being said, the following bands and artists saw multiple career defining releases during the decade, and they have since gone on to significantly impact the shape of modern music. While album sales and general popularity were partly considered when constructing this list, the artist’s impact on modern music and the timelessness of their work were the ultimate factors in determining this list.

25. The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Amalgamating elements of funk, rock and rap, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have brewed an unmistakable sound throughout their multi-decade career. While the group formed in 1982, The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ career would take off after signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1990.

To this day the Los Angeles group is revered as one of contemporary rock’s most formidable groups with hits such as “Californication,” “Under the Bridge” and “Give It Away” which offer a glimpse at their one of kind sonic swagger. Having released 13 studio albums with 2022’s Return of the Dream Canteen being their latest, members Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and John Frusciante are still actively performing and writing music together.

24. Jeff Buckley

Los Angeles based singer songwriter Jeff Buckley rose to fame during the mid-90s and established himself as one of the decade’s most eclectic and skilled musicians. After getting his start in the Los Angeles music scene as a session musician, Buckley started his solo career gigging in Manhattan where he’d be discovered for his ingenious vocal talents and musical versatility.

After signing with Colombia records Buckley’s first and only studio album Grace would release in 1994; to this day it’s regarded as one of most acclaimed debuts from a solo artist and one of the greatest albums from the decade. Buckley sadly died from a drowning incident in 1997, though his legacy and talents are still cherished by millions.

23. Alanis Morissette

The Canadian pop-rockstar Alanis Morissette made waves throughout the ‘90s for her uncanny vocal approach and often provocatively catchy songwriting. 1995’s Jagged Pill, the singer’s multiplatinum debut record and most acclaimed release to date, was the album that put her on the map and is still hailed as a classic from the decade.

Alongside Jagged Pill, Morissette’s sophomore LP Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie and Live/Unplugged album helped propel her career to become one of most successful of any Canadian artist at the time. While Morissette is still actively performing and making music today, her many hits from the nineties such as “Ironic,” “You Oughta Know” and “Thank U” are largely her most celebrated and influential work.

22. Green Day

The 1990s didn’t suffer any shortage of innovative rock despite grunge music taking over the scene at the start of the decade. Forming in 1987 in Rodeo, California, Green Day injected a fist full of melodic punk rock into the ‘90s music scene, which later paved the groundwork for pop-punk in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

Green Day had several hits throughout the ‘90s including “Basket Case,” “When I Come Around” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” and with these illustrious songs Green Day were eventually established as one modern rock’s most popularized acts. Albums Dookie and Nimrod are regarded as some of the most acclaimed rock albums from the ‘90s, and they’re essential pillars to the contemporary punk genre. Members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirt and Tré Cool are still actively performing and writing music together, with 2024 seeing the release of the band’s 14th studio album, Saviors.

21. Backstreet Boys

There’s a reason Backstreet Boys are the most celebrated boy band: quite simply it’s because they’re the most successful one. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, the Floridian boy band have been in a league of their own ever since the release of their 1996 self-titled debut.

Between their debut and 1999’s Millennium, Backstreet Boys produced a number of multiplatinum hits such as “Everybody,” “As Long as You Love Me” and the legendary “I Want It That Way.” The sonic soundscape of the ‘90s certainly wouldn’t be complete without Backstreet Boys, and while the group’s biggest hits came from the ‘90s, Backstreet Boys would go on to release a number of chart topping albums in the following decades. The band is still actively performing and releasing records with their latest being 2022’s A Very Backstreet Christmas.

20. Korn

Coming out Bakersfield, California in 1993, Korn have gone on to become one of the most successful heavy music acts of all time, and were one of the ‘90s most popular rock outfits. The band are largely considered pioneers of the Nu Metal and alternative metal genres, with songs “Freak On A Leash,” “Got the Life,” “Falling Away From Me” and “Blind” being respected anthems of the sub-genres and greater modern metal scene.

Members Jonathan Davis, James “Munky” Shaffer, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, Brian “Head” Welch and former drummer David Silveria cultivated a sound that’s since influenced the entirety of alternative rock and contemporary metal music. The band is still actively touring and making music having just released their 14th studio album Requiem in 2023.

19. Pearl Jam

Forming in 1990 out of the booming Seattle rock scene, Pearl Jam would go on to help pioneer the “grunge” genre of the ‘90s and become one of most highly regarded bands of the scene, and moreover the decade. Founding members Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and former drummer Dave Krusen made an impressionable debut with 1991’s Ten, which showcased the band’s electric rock tastes and musical versatility.

While the band has released 11 studio albums throughout their career with 2024’s Dark Matter being their latest, Ten is still regarded as Pearl Jam’s best album as it contains nearly all the band’s most notable hits from “Evenflow,” “Alive,” “Black” and “Jeremy.”

18. Selena

The Texas-based pop icon Selena Quintanilla Perez, who’s otherwise known as “Selena” was one of the most cherished and influential musicians of the decade. After establishing herself in the late ‘80s as one of the few female “Tejano” artists, Selena was signed to EMI Latin in 1989, which would propel her to becoming one of the most successful Latin American artists of the 1990s.

Selling over 18 million records worldwide, not only is Selena hailed as one of the highest selling female artists in Latin American music but she’s credited with being the “Queen of Tejano Music” — a popular music style deriving of both Mexican and Texan influences. With hits “Amor Prohibido,” “Is Ana Vez,” “Como La Flor” and “Dreaming of You,” Selena’s legacy and musical influence still lives on despite her life being tragically taken in 1995.

17. The Smashing Pumpkins

Chicago’s The Smashing Pumpkins are essential to the soundscape of the ‘90s and the modern rock scene today. Founder and lead songwriter Billy Corgan helped popularize the melancholic alternative rock sound with 1993’s Siamese Dream and 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

The fuzzed out heaviness and dreamy allure of The Smashing Pumpkins was brought to the mainstream through these albums, specifically hits “1979,” “Today” and “Disarm” among others. Without question, much of modern rock and alternative music wouldn’t sound like it does today without The Smashing Pumpkins contributions. While the band saw a breakup period in the early 2000s, The Smashing Pumpkins have since reunited and are actively releasing new music and touring again.

16. Shania Twain

Canadian country music star Shania Twain was one of the most sensationalized artists during the ‘90s, and her music throughout the decade helped build the foundation for many future aspiring pop and country artists, including the likes of Taylor Swift.

While her sophomore LP The Woman In Me earned Twain her first massive hit with the country-focused anthem “Any Man Of Mine,” her 1997 double diamond selling album Come On Over is still her most popular and acclaimed work to date with hits “Man! I Feel Like A Woman,” “You’re Still The One” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Twain is still actively performing and making music with her sixth and most recent LP Queen of Me, releasing in 2023.

15. Soundgarden

The Seattle, Washington outfit were an essential pillar to the grunge rock scene of the 1990s. Forming in 1984, the group’s most consistent lineup would be established in 1990 with Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepard. Wielding a heavy metal and sludgy riff based style within the grunge genre, Soundgarden, like each of the other big four grunge outfits (with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains), were wholly unique in their sonic approach.

The band’s six studio albums produced legendary rock anthems from the likes of “Black Hole Sun,” “Fell On Black Days” and “Outshined” among others. Soundgarden have remained one of the greatest rock outfits from the decade and greater rock genre, despite the band coming to an end following the death of frontman Chris Cornell in 2017.

14. Céline Dion

French Canadian pop star Céline Dion soared to the front of pop culture during the ‘90s from her uncanny musicianship and vocal ability. Starting her career in the late ‘80s Dion performed music in both French and English, though her career significantly took off once she ventured into film music.

After singing “Because You Loved Me,” the theme for the 1996 film Up Close and Personal, Dion had a multiplatinum single and a Grammy under her belt. However, in 1997 Dion performed the main theme for James Cameron’s Titanic with “My Heart Will Go On,” which earned her universal acclaim and cemented her as the “Queen of Power Ballads.” Dion is still active in the music industry though she’s not performing as much after recently being diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in 2022.

13. Metallica

Few artists have seen the same multi-decade success that the metal icons Metallica saw in the ‘80s and ‘90s. While the band rose to fame in the 1980s, they became a household name in the early ‘90s due to the success of their fifth studio album, Metallica otherwise known as “The Black Album.” What James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Jason Newsted achieved on their 1991 album is still unmatched in metal and the greater rock genre, as the Black Album is one of the highest selling studio albums ever.

The multiplatinum success Metallica saw in the ‘90s helped them carve out an approachable though wholly original sound to their already existing thrash metal roots. To this day, many bands have tried to replicate the commercial metal magic heard on Metallica’s Black Album, and no one has come even close. Metallica are still actively performing and recording together with the band currently on tour in support of their 11th studio album, 72 Seasons.

12. Radiohead

The melancholic wonder and mesmerization provided from the UK’s own Radiohead has always been second to none. Original members Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway made up one of the ‘90s most experimental rock groups, and despite not appealing to popular rock trends at the time, Radiohead still managed to carve out a lane of their own.

Each of the band’s albums from the ‘90s saw a different approach to the their wholly unique rock soundscape, and while Radiohead would go on to release several noteworthy records in the following decades, the influence from records Pablo Honey, The Bends and OK Computer is still being heard today. Hits “Creep,” “Karma Police” and “High and Dry” are universally celebrated, and they’re only a taste of what’s made Radiohead one of the greatest rock acts of all time.

11. Alice In Chains

Hailing from Seattle, Alice In Chains formed in 1987 and helped to pioneer the grunge rock sub-genre alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Although Alice In Chains were unmistakably associated within grunge rock, the band’s admiration for heavy music and darker songwriting set them apart from other grunge and alternative rock bands at the time.

Founding members Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley, Mike Starr and Sean Kinney would go on to release some of the most admired records of the decade with 1990’s Facelift and 1992’s Dirt, which boast hits from the likes of “Man in the Box,” “Rooster” and “Would?” among others. While Alice In Chains saw much success throughout the decade, the band unfortunately saw many tragedies as well. Bassist Mike Starr tragically died of an overdose in 2011 (though he had left the band in 1993), and lead vocalist Layne Staley died of an overdose in 2002. However, the band reunited with a new lineup in 2005 and have remained active ever since. In 2018 Alice In Chains released their sixth studio album Rainier Fog, the band’s third with vocalist William DuVall.

10. Dr. Dre

After finding success in the late ‘80s with rap supergroup N.W.A., producer and rap icon Dr. Dre saw his solo career take off in the ‘90s. The Compton-based rapper/producer helped pioneer the West Coast G-funk rap sub-genre through his own solo LPs The Chronic and 2001, in addition to producing hits for other legendary ‘90s rappers such as 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.

Apart from Dr. Dre’s countless collaborative works his own records throughout the ‘90s solidified him as one of the rap genre’s single most important and influential artists. Both 1992’s The Chronic and 1999’s 2001 have sold millions of copies and are universally celebrated for having hits like “Nutin’ But A “G” Thang,” “The Next Episode” and “Still D.R.E” among others. While he hasn’t released another solo LP since 2015’s Compton, Dr. Dre is still active collaborating with other artists and producing within the rap genre today.

9. Pantera

As the masters of “groove metal,” Pantera were at the epicenter of heavy music during the ‘90s and to this day they’re regarded as having one of most widespread influences on modern metal and hardcore. Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown and the Abbott brothers (Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul) made up Pantera, though the band was formed by Dimebag and Vinnie in 1981.

While it took nearly a decade for the band to get signed, Pantera’s discography throughout the ‘90s is unmatched, and the band managed to achieve their first No. 1 charting album with Far Beyond Driven in 1994 despite not appealing to commercial radio. Unfortunately shortly after the band’s ninth and final studio album Reinventing the Steel, Pantera would break up in 2001. Following the band’s breakup, guitarist Dimebag Darrell was tragically murdered in 2004 and Vinnie Paul passed away in 2018. However, Pantera reunited in 2023 between members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, who’ve found great success performing the band’s classic hits and honoring the Abbott Brothers’ legacy.

8. Whitney Houston

It’s an increasingly rare case for a solo artist to see exponential success from back to back decades, and Whitney Houston was certainly that exception. The New Jersey based pop-star had already solidified herself as one of pop music’s most promising artists in the mid-80s, however, after Houston’s role and musical work in the hit film The Bodyguard her career saw unprecedented new heights.

Featuring hits such as “I Have Nothing,” “Run To You” and a rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” Houston propelled the soundtrack into becoming the highest selling film soundtrack of all time, with over 45 millions copies sold to date. With the addition of Houston’s late ‘90s LP My Love Is Your Love, which brought hits “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” and “My Love Is Your Love” among others, it’s easy to understand why Houston is one of the most successful pop and R&B artists from the decade, and furthermore of all time. Tragically, Houston’s career would come to end after her death in 2012, though her legacy and work is still cherished by millions to this day.

7. The Notorious B.I.G.

Representing the best of East Coast rap, Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, is one of the most influential and acclaimed rappers in history. The New York based rapper has written some of the genre’s most well-respected albums and singles such as “Juicy,” “Big Poppa” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” among others.

Wallace’s unique beats and rap flow often undermined the violent lyrical themes he showcased in his songwriting, though it was seen as a new and unprecedented approach to the gangsta rap genre at the time. Despite having a successful career throughout the ‘90s, Wallace’s career came to an abrupt end after he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in 1997. Much like West Coast rapper 2Pac, Wallace saw success posthumously with his double album, Life After Death, released only 16 days after his death.

6. The Cranberries

The Irish alternative rock outfit broke musical boundaries for their cheery melodic and dreamy approach to rock songwriting. Members Mike Hogan, Noel Hogan, Fergal Lawler and vocalist Dolores O’Riordan were the groups core members and they’d go on to record seven studio albums and several multiplatinum singles such as “Zombi,” “Linger” and “Dreams.”

The pop-like quality to The Cranberries otherwise melancholic songwriting — not to mention O’Riordan’s signature yodel vocal style — set them apart from many of the prominent rock acts at the time, and it’s certainly an aspect that’s kept the band’s music so admired for the last three decades. While the Cranberries were active up until 2018, the sudden and accidental death of lead songwriter O’Riordan lead the band to officially disband.

5. Oasis

Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher defined Britpop and took rock to new and unprecedented heights in the mid-’90s with Oasis — one of the most formidable and popularized UK bands in history. Oasis became one of the most beloved groups from the ‘90s with albums Definitely Maybe, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory and Be Here Now, which managed to breakthrough the mainstream following the grunge wave in the early ‘90s.

Multiplatinum hits “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova” and “Live Forever” showcase the band’s wholly unique Britpop aesthetic that’s resulted in them becoming such an international sensation. Despite the band disbanding in 2009, the group have remained one of UK’s most influential bands and their legacy is still celebrated by millions worldwide.

4. Rage Against The Machine

The social and politically toned hard rock from Rage Against The Machine is a quintessential part of ‘90s pop-culture and the hard-rock genre. Tom Morello, Zach de la Rocha, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk crafted an aggressively brilliant amalgamation of rap and hard-hitting metallic rock as heard on their 1992 seminal self-titled debut.

From “Killing In The Name” to “Bulls On Parade,” Rage Against Machine have released a number of socially powered anthems that resonate with millions of fans and artists today. The Los Angeles group is still around today though their status as a band remains questionable with rumors the band has broken up following their recent 2022-2023 world tour.

3. Ms. Lauryn Hill

After finding success in the early ‘90s with the Jazz-rap trio Fugees, the New Jersey rapper and singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill rose to stardom with her widely successful solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The 1998 LP is regarded as one of the greatest rap-R&B albums ever and is widely viewed as a masterclass in contemporary songwriting.

With this release Hill broke boundaries with hits “Doo Wop (That Thing),” “Ex-Factor” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You — (I Love You Baby)” which saw her amalgamate styles from R&B, reggae and rap. While Hill hasn’t released any new solo albums since, she’s still actively performing and recently toured for the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 2023.

2. 2Pac

One of the most beloved and influential rappers of all time, Tupac Shakur, otherwise known as 2Pac, played an essential role in popularizing the gangsta rap genre and rap music as a whole. His seminal hits “California Love,” “All Eyez On Me” and “Changes” helped make the rapper a household name during the decade, and many of his albums are still regarded as foundational pillars to California’s rap scene.

Unfortunately Shakur’s career was cut short after he was tragically murdered in 1996 from a drive by shooting, which many speculated had to do with Shakur’s feud between prominent East Coast rapper, The Notorious B.I.G. However, Shakur’s legacy has still carried on with several posthumous releases making their way into his discography in the following decades.

1. Nirvana

After spearheading the grunge movement in the early ‘90s, Nirvana managed to not only revolutionize rock music, but revive its presences within pop culture. While Kurt Cobain started the band in 1987, the Seattle based group would hit its stride with members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, who contributed on Nirvana’s seminal albums Nevermind and In Utero.

The massive success from 1992’s Nevermind particularly with singles “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are,” lended to Nirvana becoming one of the most important musical acts of the decade. However, with 1993’s In Utero the band would see its peak and further establish them as one of the most important rock bands in history. Tragically, the band’s career would come to an abrupt end after Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994.

Bottom Line

Between rock, rap, pop and alternative music the ‘90s saw a number of flourishing music scenes. While there were countless hit singles and acclaimed records throughout the ‘90s, the artists above produced the most groundbreaking work in their respective genres and have impacted the shape of modern music unlike any other artist from the decade.