Greatest 1990s Music Artists

Top 10 Musical Acts of the 1990s (Arranged Alphabetically):
Criteria: Success and Acclaim
Dr. Dre: From NWA to the Chronic, Dre was a pioneer of gangster rap. His 1992 album, The Chronic, is a rap classic.
Metallica: Most early 90s music was a reaction to the crap-a-rama that was hair metal. Metallica led the charge by staying true to metal. They hit it big in the late 80s with "One" and then hit the mega-league with the "Black" album featuring "Enter Sandman." Despite the haircuts, they remained popular throughout the decade experimenting with different styles including symphonic.
Nirvana: They were the meteor that destroyed the dinosaurs. In a firestorm, they reworked the entire music scene. Kurt Cobain could not handle success and Nirvana died with him. The music scene he ushered in died shortly thereafter as music execs wanted more pliable artists and younger audiences wanted bubble gum music.
Pearl Jam: This is a band that would have been successful at any time during the rock era. Despite being labeled alternative, they really are nothing more than a classic rock band.
Radiohead: The most non-commercial monster band ever. Their fans are fanatical and their music is unique. They are also one of the most fan friendly bands around as they recently allowed fans to pick their price for the download of their latest album.
R.E.M.: They created alternative music. The 90s alt revolution began with "Losing My Religion." Their follow up, "Automatic for the People" was decidedly dark and non-commercial. The next album was a guitar driven "Monster." After three huge albums and a mega recording contract, they decided to experiment and their record sales tanked.
Smashing Pumpkins: Like Pearl Jam, the Pumpkins are a band inspired by classic rock. Instead of The Who, they wanted to be like Pink Floyd. Their albums got exceedingly bigger before the decline of the record industry hit them. They broke up and have since gotten back together.
Soundgarden: They began as a metal band and morphed into a classic rock band. Chris Cornell is probably the best vocalist of the period. When they dissolved in 1997, it seemed like the end of an era. Rock was on the way out and Britney Spears was on the way in.
2Pac: The son of a Black Panther and street poet. 2Pac has a Elvis like following amongst some people. His untimely death created a symbol.. He was another casualty of the street.
U2: Like I'd have a list without U2...they redefined themselves in the 90s. They went from pretentious rock stars to pretentious rock stars embracing rock stardom. Everything got bigger for a band that was already the biggest in the world. They redefined their image and their music and then went about redefining the world.
Honorable mentions:
Alice in Chains: Very talented band that kids probably don't remember.Arrested Development: A great example of early 90s creativity.Beck: I always thought he was strange.Garbage: Shirley Manson defined what a 90s woman should be like.Green Day: Not really a punk band, but had a lot of catchy hooks. They'd hit their peak in the 00s.Guns n Roses: What could have been...Nine Inch Nails: After Cobain, Trent Reznor was proclaimed spokesman of the 90s generation.Rage Against the Machine: They amuse me.Red Hot Chili Peppers: They fell into the Aerosmith slow song ballad trap.Tool: The Prog Rock kings of the decade.