It’s time for a bit of nostalgia for the weekend, owing still to the reunion of Oasis and how they helped define a multitude of artists after the release of “Definitely Maybe.”
It led to a discussion amongst ourselves regarding what other artists from the 90s have had a profound influence on a number of artists in the 00s and modern day.
To craft this list, we focused on artists who redefined or pioneered a genre in the 90s that gained wider mainstream or subcultural prominence afterwards, the influence on production techniques, songwriting, and aesthetics seen in multiple genres, not just their own, and acts whose influence reached beyond their immediate genre, shaping trends across music as a whole.
So, who did we think in the office were the nine musicians and albums that helped shape the music decades later?
5. Björk
Björk’s fearless experimentation on Debut, Post and Homogenic inspired indie artists and electronic innovators like FKA twigs, Florence + The Machine, and Lady Gaga. Her theatricality and avant-garde approach to both visuals and sound pushed boundaries across pop and alternative music. | Getty Images
6. Massive Attack
Trip-hop’s atmospheric and cinematic qualities, pioneered by Massive Attack, influenced the moody, minimalist sounds of bands like The xx, Gorillaz, and even Radiohead during their "Kid A" and "Insomniac" era. | Getty Images
7. Prodigy
The Prodigy’s aggressive mix of punk energy and electronic production helped bridge the gap between rock and electronic fans. Their sound influenced nu-metal acts like Linkin Park and industrial artists like Nine Inch Nails, as well as electronic acts like Pendulum and Fatboy Slim. | Getty Images
8. OutKast
OutKast’s genre-blending albums ("ATLiens" and "Aquemini") inspired 2000s artists to push boundaries, such as Kanye West ("The College Dropout"), Childish Gambino, and Janelle Monáe. Their daring use of funk, electronic, and hip-hop paved the way for conceptual albums in mainstream music. | Getty Images