1980's "All About Image"
The 1980's changed music forever, with the creation of MTV, and the beginning of the computer age. The music at this time was heavily produced, including music videos with tons and TONS of special effects. Some claimed that music was no longer politically aware, which in some instances is correct. But during this time, artists were holding special concerts for different charities, to spread awareness. Madonna held an AIDS benefit concert, videos and pictures of dying Ethiopian citizens were broadcasted to raise funds for relief. Also Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie teamed up to write a song called, "We Are The World," which they got a large group of other well known artists to sing with them. This song was dedciated to the people dying in Africa. Later, around 2010 the song was re-produced and sang by more recent artists, and dedicated to Haiti after the devastating earthquake.
Important Artists:
-Madonna
-Prince
-Michael Jackson
-Janet Jackson
-Whitney Houston
-Lionel Ritchie
-Cher
-New Kids On The Block
-Guns n' Roses
-Metallica
-Bon Jovi
-Def Leppard
-Aerosmith
Important Artists:
-Madonna
-Prince
-Michael Jackson
-Janet Jackson
-Whitney Houston
-Lionel Ritchie
-Cher
-New Kids On The Block
-Guns n' Roses
-Metallica
-Bon Jovi
-Def Leppard
-Aerosmith
Click this link to go to "messages" between Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson about the writing of "We Are The World."
Messages
Messages
1990's
In the 90's music seemed to be overshadowed by personal problems, many of them dealing with drug abuse. Music was also predominantly focused on rap battles. The 90's was a rough decade for music, with the murdering of Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) and Tupac. Both were killed in cars, but neither were caused by car crashes. In 1996 Tupac was shot during a drive by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. A few short months later, Biggie was shot and killed while sitting in his car after the Soul Train Music Awards. Many people feared that the world of "hip-hop" might become a war and end many other lives. Fortunately for everyone involved in hip-hop, that did not happen. In 2002 a documentary was made, including tons of interviews with acquaintances of both Tupac and Biggie. Overall the 90's were mainly known for grunge bands and gangster rappers.
Important Artists:
-MC Hammer
-Vanilla Ice
-Nirvana
-Britney Spears
-Backstreet Boys
-N' Sync
-Christina Aguilera
-Snoop Dogg
-Green Day
-Boyz II Men
-Mariah Carey
-Whitney Houston
-Toby Keith
Important Artists:
-MC Hammer
-Vanilla Ice
-Nirvana
-Britney Spears
-Backstreet Boys
-N' Sync
-Christina Aguilera
-Snoop Dogg
-Green Day
-Boyz II Men
-Mariah Carey
-Whitney Houston
-Toby Keith