16 Forgotten ’90s Music Genres That Faded Away
Rewind to the ‘90s and rediscover 16 music genres that once rocked the charts but have since disappeared from the mainstream.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
People experimented with new and unique sounds back in the 90s. While some genres vanished entirely, leaving us with recollections, others evolved into new types. These are the 16 musical trends from the ’90s that gained popularity before disappearing forever.
1. Trip-Hop
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A moody blend of hip-hop beats and dreamy electronic textures, trip-hop was the sound of urban cool. Acts like Portishead and Massive Attack defined its smoky vibe.
2. Jungle/Drum and Bass (Mainstream Era)
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With lightning-fast breakbeats and heavy bass drops, this UK import surged into clubs and raves. For a brief moment, it flirted with the mainstream.
3. Swing Revival
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Bands like Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brought zoot suits and brass horns roaring back. The ‘90s swing craze was fun and flashy, but it burned out quickly.
4. Christian Alternative Rock
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Groups like DC Talk and Jars of Clay brought faith-based lyrics into the alt-rock space. It briefly crossed into the mainstream charts. Today, it lives quietly in specific Christian music markets.
5. Third Wave Ska
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Trumpets, checkered patterns, and skanking ruled the late ’90s thanks to bands like Reel Big Fish. It mixed punk energy with Jamaican rhythms for a quirky sound.
6. Chillout/Lounge Electronica
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Ambient grooves and downtempo beats filled cafes and chill rooms everywhere. Think Zero 7 and early Groove Armada. Now, it’s more background noise than a genre people actively follow.
7. Eurodance
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Catchy hooks, thumping beats, and lots of “oohs” and “yeahs” — Eurodance was Europe’s answer to club pop. Acts like Aqua and 2 Unlimited dominated dance floors.
8. Pop-Punk Emo (Early Wave)
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Before the 2000s emo explosion, bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral brought emotional lyrics to punk roots. It laid the groundwork for later acts but stayed niche.
9. G-Funk
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A West Coast twist on hip-hop that fused funk samples with laid-back rhymes, G-Funk was Dr. Dre’s signature sound. For a while, it defined rap’s vibe.
10. Industrial Rock
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With clanging metal sounds and distorted vocals, industrial rock thrived briefly thanks to Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. It was edgy, loud, and experimental.
11. Neo-Soul (Early Phase)
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Artists like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu gave soul a modern, jazzy twist. It was cool, introspective, and rich in groove. Despite its influence, the early neo-soul vibe faded into other R&B subgenres.
12. Britpop
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British guitar bands like Blur, Oasis, and Pulp created a pop-rock scene bursting with swagger. It was UK-centric, but for a while, America also took notice. It fizzled out as the 2000s embraced different trends.
13. Teen Pop Ballads
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Not just bubblegum — slow, heartfelt ballads from young artists filled the airwaves. Think early Britney or Jessica Simpson. These sappy hits were huge, then vanished as pop grew more dance-driven.
14. Acid Jazz
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This genre blended jazz, funk, and hip-hop into something smooth yet funky. Bands like Jamiroquai and Brand New Heavies were pioneers.
15. Post-Grunge (First Wave)
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After Nirvana, bands like Bush and Candlebox carried the grunge torch with a radio-friendly twist. It lacked the rawness of Seattle grunge and got quickly overshadowed.
16. Happy Hardcore
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Fast, euphoric, and filled with chipmunk-style vocals, happy hardcore was rave music on sugar. It was huge in underground scenes and late-night dance parties. Mainstream never embraced it fully, and it eventually faded away.