Will Smith: Represented “clean,” radio-friendly rap during the 90s. His music was festive and narrative-driven, often avoiding profanity to maintain a family-friendly image. Eminem: The antithesis of Smith’s style, known for dark humor, aggressive lyricism, and controversial themes. Their “rivalry” peaked when Eminem mocked Smith’s clean image in the lyrics of “The Real Continue Reading

Tiffany: Famous for her mall tours and the #1 hit “I Think We’re Alone Now.” She possessed a raspy, soulful voice that appealed to the late 80s teen market. Debbie Gibson: A “triple threat” who wrote, produced, and performed her own #1 hits (like “Foolish Beat”) at age 17. She leaned more into a Continue Reading

Hanson: A family band of brothers known for playing their own instruments and their massive 1997 hit “MMMBop.” Their style mixed 60s soul influences with 90s pop-rock. Britney Spears: The “Princess of Pop” who redefined the teen idol image. Unlike the band-centric Hanson, she was a solo powerhouse focused on high-concept music videos and Continue Reading

‘NSYNC: Known for highly choreographed dance routines and Justin Timberlake’s breakout stardom. They dominated the turn of the millennium with a slightly more “edgy” pop sound. Backstreet Boys: The best-selling boy band of all time. They leaned more into vocal harmonies and classic pop ballads like “I Want It That Way,” maintaining a consistent career through Continue Reading