36 Trivia Questions about 90s Music

The 90s were a decade filled with iconic music, from the rise of grunge and alternative rock to the dominance of pop and hip-hop.

If you’re a fan of 90s music, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some fun trivia questions.

Challenge yourself and your friends to see who can remember the most about the music that defined a generation.

Let’s dive into these trivia questions about 90s music!

Trivia Questions about 90s Music

The Rise of Grunge in Seattle: In the early 1990s, Seattle became the epicenter for a new genre of music known as grunge, characterized by its sludgy guitar sound and introspective lyrics. One band, in particular, skyrocketed to fame with their album “Nevermind”, which included a hit song featuring the memorable line “With the lights out, it’s less dangerous.” Name this band and the iconic song that helped define the grunge movement.
Boy Band Mania: The late 90s witnessed a surge in the popularity of boy bands. Among them, one American group stood out with their album “Millennium,” released in 1999, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time. This group gave us hits like “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life.” Can you identify this boy band that captured the hearts of millions worldwide?
Queen of Pop’s Evolving Image: Known as the Queen of Pop, this iconic female artist reinvented herself throughout the 90s with various personas and musical styles. Her 1998 album “Ray of Light” was a critical and commercial success, showcasing her exploration into electronic music. Who is this influential pop icon?
Rap’s East Coast-West Coast Rivalry: The 90s saw a fierce rivalry in the rap industry between the East Coast and West Coast scenes. This rivalry tragically culminated in the deaths of two of rap’s biggest stars. Name these two artists and the respective coasts they represented.
Britpop Battle: The mid-90s in the UK were dominated by a rivalry between two Britpop bands. Their battle for chart supremacy was epitomized in August 1995 when both bands released new singles on the same day. Name these two bands and their respective singles that went head-to-head.
Latin Pop Explosion: In 1999, a Latin artist released a crossover English album titled “Ricky Martin,” which included a chart-topping hit known for its catchy chorus and dynamic music video. This song is often credited with bringing Latin pop to the forefront of the U.S. music scene. Name the song and the artist.
Iconic Female Rockers: This decade saw the emergence of several influential female rock musicians. One such artist released an album in 1995 titled “Jagged Little Pill,” which became a massive success and is known for its raw emotion and powerful lyrics. Who is this artist?
Alternative Rock’s Anthem: In 1991, an alternative rock band released a song that became an anthem for Generation X, thanks to its angst-filled lyrics and memorable music video set in a high school. The song’s title and the band’s name are synonymous with the 90s alternative rock scene. What is the name of the band and the song?
Electronic Dance Music Hits Mainstream: This decade saw the rise of electronic dance music (EDM) into mainstream popularity. One particular song, released in 1999 by a French duo, became a global hit and is known for its futuristic music video and the use of autotune on the vocals. Name the song and the artist duo.
The King of Pop’s Groundbreaking Album: In 1991, this legendary artist released an album that not only became the best-selling album of the decade but also featured an ambitious music video that was nearly 40 minutes long and starred a famous basketball player. Name the artist, the album, and the music video.
Diva Collaboration: In 1998, two of the biggest female voices in music collaborated on a song for the soundtrack of an animated film about an Egyptian prince. This song won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Name the two artists and the song.
Grunge Band’s Acoustic Surprise: In 1994, a famous grunge band known for their heavy, electric sound, surprised everyone with an unplugged, acoustic performance on a popular MTV show. The performance was later released as a live album. Name the band and the TV show.
The Rise of Teen Pop Sensations: This teen pop sensation burst onto the music scene in the late 90s with her debut single “…Baby One More Time.” Her schoolgirl outfit in the music video became an iconic look. Who is this artist?
Innovative Rock Opera: In 1992, a popular punk rock band released an album that was structured as a rock opera. The album explored themes of boredom, anxiety, and the struggles of young people. It was a significant departure from the band’s previous sound. Name the band and the album.
The Advent of Britney’s Rival: Around the same time as Britney Spears’ rise to fame, another young female artist emerged as a pop icon with her debut single “Genie in a Bottle.” Who is this artist?
Influential Female Country Crossover: This Canadian singer-songwriter released an album in 1997 that became one of the best-selling albums of all time, blending country music with pop sensibilities. Name the artist and the album.
Iconic Alternative Rock Video: In 1994, an alternative rock band released a music video featuring a continuous shot of the lead singer walking down the streets, ignoring various unusual events occurring around him. Name the band and the song.
Hip-Hop’s Smooth Groove: In 1994, this hip-hop duo released a song that became an anthem for laid-back, smooth rap, contrasting the harder-edged sound prevalent at the time. The song’s music video is memorable for its black-and-white aesthetic and a scene featuring a roller skating rink. Name the duo and the song.
Influential Hip-Hop Album: Released in 1994, this groundbreaking hip-hop album by a New York rapper is often hailed as a masterpiece for its vivid storytelling and complex lyricism. It includes tracks like “N.Y. State of Mind” and “The World is Yours.” Name the artist and the album.
Girl Power Phenomenon: In the late 90s, a British girl group became a global sensation with their debut single “Wannabe,” promoting a message of female empowerment and friendship. They also starred in their own movie in 1997. Name the group and the movie.
Country Music’s Traditional Turn: This artist brought traditional country music back to the forefront in the 90s with his album “No Fences,” released in 1990. The album includes hits like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Thunder Rolls.” Name the artist.
The Rise of Alternative Metal: In 1994, an American band released an album that blended heavy metal with alternative rock, featuring the hit song “Black Hole Sun.” This album is often cited as a key development in the alternative metal genre. Name the band and the album.
Teen Pop and R&B Fusion: This American girl group, formed in the late 90s, blended teen pop with R&B and had a massive hit with “Waterfalls,” a song that dealt with serious issues like drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. Name the group.
Iconic Rock Ballad: Released in 1991 as part of a movie soundtrack, this power ballad by an American hard rock band became one of the best-selling singles of all time. The music video featured the lead singer playing the piano on a runway. Name the band and the song.
Electronic Music Pioneers: This British duo, known for their futuristic and often surreal music videos, were pioneers in the electronic music scene in the 90s. Their 1997 album “The Fat of the Land” included hits like “Firestarter” and “Breathe.” Name the duo.
Reggae Fusion Hit: In 1992, this artist released a reggae fusion song that became an international hit, known for its catchy refrain and distinct dancehall rhythm. The song was a significant moment for reggae fusion in mainstream music. Name the artist and the song.
Swedish Pop Sensation: This Swedish pop group, formed in the early 90s, became international sensations with their debut album, featuring hits like “All That She Wants” and “The Sign.” They were known for their catchy tunes and distinct vocals. Name the group.
Revival of Swing Music: In the late 90s, this American band played a pivotal role in reviving interest in swing music with their hit song “Zoot Suit Riot.” The song became synonymous with the swing revival movement. Name the band.
Ska-Punk Fusion: This California-based band, known for integrating ska into their punk rock sound, achieved mainstream success with their album “Tragic Kingdom” in 1995, featuring hits like “Just a Girl” and “Don’t Speak.” Name the band.
Innovative Trip-Hop Album: In 1994, this British group released an album that is often regarded as a seminal work in the trip-hop genre. The album, featuring the hit “Glory Box,” is known for its moody, atmospheric soundscapes and innovative use of samples. Name the group and the album.
Iconic Rap Duo and Their Social Commentary: This rap duo from Atlanta gained critical acclaim in the 90s for their thought-provoking lyrics and smooth, Southern-style beats. Their 1998 album “Aquemini” is often cited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Name the duo.
Gothic Rock’s Mainstream Moment: This band, known for their gothic rock sound, achieved mainstream success in the 90s with their album “Disintegration,” featuring hits like “Lovesong” and “Pictures of You.” They are often credited with bringing the gothic rock genre into the mainstream. Name the band.
Emergence of Teen Pop Star: This Canadian singer became an international sensation in the late 90s, especially with her hit song “You’re Still the One.” She crossed over from country to pop music, appealing to a wide audience. Name the artist.
Breakout Alternative Rock Album: In 1993, an American alternative rock band released their second studio album, “Siamese Dream,” which became a critical and commercial success. Known for its layered sound and emotional depth, this album solidified the band’s place in the alternative rock scene. Name the band.
Legendary Female Blues Guitarist and Singer: Known for her distinctive voice and proficient guitar skills, this artist released her album “Nick of Time” in 1989, which won three Grammy Awards and brought blues back into the mainstream. Name the artist.
Dance-Pop and House Music Pioneer: This artist, often referred to as the “Queen of House Music,” had a string of dance-pop hits in the 90s, including “Finally,” which has become an anthem in the house music genre. Name the artist.

Answers

Band and Song: Nirvana and “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Boy Band: Backstreet Boys.
Pop Icon: Madonna.
Rap Artists: Tupac Shakur (West Coast) and The Notorious B.I.G. (East Coast).
Britpop Bands and Singles: Oasis with “Roll With It” and Blur with “Country House.”
Song and Artist: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin.
Artist: Alanis Morissette.
Band and Song: Nirvana and “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Song and Artist Duo: “One More Time” by Daft Punk.
Artist, Album, and Video: Michael Jackson, “Dangerous,” and the video for “Black or White” featuring Michael Jordan.
Artists and Song: Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey with the song “When You Believe” from “The Prince of Egypt.”
Band and TV Show: Nirvana and “MTV Unplugged.”
Artist: Britney Spears.
Band and Album: Green Day and “Dookie.”
Artist: Christina Aguilera.
Artist and Album: Shania Twain and “Come On Over.”
Band and Song: R.E.M. and “Everybody Hurts.”
Duo and Song: OutKast and “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.”
Artist and Album: Nas and “Illmatic.”
Group and Movie: Spice Girls and “Spice World.”
Artist: Garth Brooks.
Band and Album: Soundgarden and “Superunknown.”
Group: TLC.
Band and Song: Aerosmith and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”
Duo: The Prodigy.
Artist and Song: Snow with “Informer.”
Group: Ace of Base.
Band: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.
Band: No Doubt.
Group and Album: Portishead and “Dummy.”
Duo: OutKast.
Band: The Cure.
Artist: Shania Twain.
Band: The Smashing Pumpkins.
Artist: Bonnie Raitt.
Artist: CeCe Peniston.