12 ’90s Music Videos That Were Way Too Inappropriate for Kids
These ’90s music videos pushed boundaries with their sexual, violent, or deeply unsettling content, making them highly inappropriate for kids.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The ’90s was a decade of musical experimentation, and that boldness extended to music videos that often blurred the lines between art and shock. These 12 videos stirred controversy for their explicit content, whether through overt sexuality, disturbing visuals, or adult themes. While they left a lasting mark on pop culture, they were certainly not suitable for younger audiences.
1. Madonna – “Justify My Love” (1990)
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This black-and-white video featured Madonna exploring themes of BDSM, voyeurism, and bisexuality in a Paris hotel. It was so provocative that MTV banned it outright, leading Madonna to release it as the first-ever video single. The sensual and surreal imagery was never meant for young eyes.
2. Nine Inch Nails – “Closer” (1994)
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“Closer” was drenched in religious and sexual imagery, with scenes involving bondage, taxidermy, and crucifixes. The haunting visuals and explicit lyrics were paired with disturbing, symbolic cinematography. MTV had to heavily censor it, but even the edited version remained deeply unsettling.
3. Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time” (1998)
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Though not explicit in the traditional sense, Britney’s schoolgirl outfit and provocative dance moves stirred a major controversy. Critics accused the video of sexualizing a teenage girl for mainstream pop appeal. Its impact sparked debates on teen sexuality in pop culture.
4. Marilyn Manson – “The Beautiful People” (1996)
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This grotesque and chaotic video featured nightmarish visuals, distorted faces, and fascist imagery. Marilyn Manson’s horror-inspired aesthetic shocked parents and teachers alike. The aggressive themes and visuals were far from appropriate for impressionable viewers.
5. The Prodigy – “Smack My Bitch Up” (1997)
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Told entirely from a first-person perspective, this video follows a night of heavy drug use, violence, and explicit sexual content. The ending twist, revealing the protagonist as a woman, added to its polarizing nature. It was banned or heavily restricted in many countries.
6. TLC – “Red Light Special” (1995)
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This sultry R&B video was essentially a slow-burning seduction, complete with lingerie, dim lighting, and sensual choreography. While artistically shot, the overt sexual content made it unsuitable for young viewers. The title alone hinted at mature themes.
7. Aerosmith – “Crazy” (1994)
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Starring Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler, the video followed two teenage girls skipping school, stripping, pole dancing, and seducing older men. Despite its glossy, rebellious vibe, the adult themes and visuals raised eyebrows. The real-life relationship between Tyler and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler made things even weirder.
8. George Michael – “Outside” (1998)
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This cheeky video was a bold reclaiming of Michael’s sexuality following his public arrest for lewd conduct. Set in glittery public bathrooms and featuring cops in tight uniforms dancing suggestively, it was packed with innuendo. While it was empowering for many, it was not designed with kids in mind.
9. Tool – “Prison Sex” (1993)
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This stop-motion video was visually abstract but thematically disturbing, tackling topics like abuse and trauma. Its eerie claymation style masked intense metaphors that disturbed many adult viewers, let alone children. MTV eventually pulled the video from rotation due to its subject matter.
10. Madonna – “Erotica” (1992)
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Another Madonna shocker, this video was tied to her Sex book and Erotica album. It featured scenes of simulated orgies, bondage, and nudity — all in grainy, black-and-white. The video was considered too obscene for regular broadcast.
11. Rammstein – “Du Hast” (1997)
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Known for their intense, militaristic imagery, Rammstein’s video featured guns, explosions, and cult-like ritual. The dark visuals and violent overtones contributed to its controversial nature. Though not sexual, the aggression and nihilistic mood were not meant for young audiences.
12. D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (1999)
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The video featured a shirtless D’Angelo in extreme close-up, slowly rotating and sweating suggestively as he sang about sensual longing. It was shot in a single take and intended to be intimate, but it was more provocative than subtle. Many parents found it uncomfortably explicit.