Whenever there is an old school event in town these days, it is almost certain that most of the music played will be from the 90s. That’s mainly because A) people who were in their teens in the 90s are now in their late-20’s and early 30’s, and are thus in the right age for an old school themed night and B) those same people obsess about the music made in that decade in a way that other generations do not. I’ve seen this happen all over the world, and I readily admit that I’m one of those obsessors.
There was something special about music in the 90s, urban music in particular. Hip-hop was fast-evolving and fresh, there were more love and romance songs than there were sex and booty call songs, dancehall was easier to keep up with, R&B involved actual singing and there was still a stylistic difference between it and rap (unlike today where pure singing has been replaced by this weird half-rapping/half-singing/autotuning thing everyone is doing).
In the 90s you needed a massive recording budget, a massive promotions budget and a big slice of luck to get a hit song. Today all you need is a laptop, an internet connection and (yes, still) a big slice of luck. Anyone can be a star these days and everyone is trying, making life is harder for people like me who are still obsessed with music. There is a lot more (crap) to get through than there used to be.
Still, that does not justify the crazy obsession with the 90s that some of us have. So I’m here with a Public Service Announcement for anyone that’s like me and still really into the 90s: enough already! Let’s keep our obsession to ourselves. That decade is never coming back and this current generation doesn’t care about, doesn’t want to know about and is too busy updating their statuses to give two hoots about the music we grew up loving.
*Sticks Lauryn Hill CD in player*
Jun 18, 2012 @ 10:23:34
i think its a time related issue. most people that were teens in the 90s (the golden years!) are now young adults. we’re controlling the airwaves. we’re deejaying at all the parties. we have more money than the teeny boppers that want to hear little wayne’s latest. in about 5 years the story will change. lets make the most of our power while we still can!!!! put that lauryn hill on blast!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 10:38:41
I co-sign Ken! In a few years it’s gonna be Wayne/Soulja Boi/Minaj and we will want to slit our wrists so let’s maximise the 90′s right now while we still can!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 11:22:04
totally agree with ken. its just a matter of time until Eminem is considered classic. boooorrriiiinnnngggg!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 12:53:14
whatever happened to lauryn hill…
Jun 18, 2012 @ 13:36:18
the 90s will always be the golden years. too many great memories!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 16:05:28
i must be really old because I’m stuck in the 80s!
Jun 18, 2012 @ 16:46:01
I love music from the 80s and the 90s and am not even 30 years old yet! That music was something else, something else in a G.O.O.D way. The 90s rocked..the music has a feeling that it resonates and I can’t explain it, but it is along the lines of authentic!!! Like Ken said while we are still in power let’s maximize.
Jun 18, 2012 @ 16:52:40
i like 90s music and I cannot lie,
no other sister can deny,
when a deejay walks in with his LPs
and a big speaker in my face
I get sprung!
(if you don’t get what I’m referring to, you CLEARLY are not a child of the 90s!)
Jun 18, 2012 @ 18:54:32
@mm I LOVE THAT REFERENCE!!!