Ep 10. 1996

A Year In Music is back with its season 3, and Episode 10 is dedicated to the year 1996. The year 1996 was a special year for music lovers; a lot of new artists emerged and topped the charts. The episode takes us on a nostalgic journey to that year, exploring some of the best songs, albums, artists and the cultural significance of their music.

The episode begins with a look at the top hits of the year, and some of the most iconic radio tracks of the time. We see how popular artists like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston continued to rule the charts, while other emerging musicians like Spice Girls, Alanis Morissette and Oasis gained popularity. We explore some of the most famous music collaborations of the time, such as Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams's "I Finally Found Someone" and Puff Daddy’s "I'll Be Missing You" which was a tribute to his late friend and collaborator, The Notorious B.I.G.

The episode also focuses on the emergence of alternative rock as one of the most dominant genres in the 90s. Bands like Nirvana were at the forefront of the grunge scene, changing the face of rock music forever. The year 1996 marked the debut of another iconic band, Radiohead, with their breakthrough album "The Bends." We see how this album laid the groundwork for their future success and how the band went on to influence other artists in the genre.

The year 1996 also saw the emergence of new genres like trip-hop and drum and bass, which were starting to gain popularity. We delve into the music of artists like Massive Attack, Goldie, and Portishead, exploring their unique sounds and how they were received by audiences around the world.

The episode also looks at how the political and social climate of the time influenced the music being produced. We see how artists like Rage Against the Machine and Tupac Shakur used their music to highlight social and racial injustices, while others like Madonna explored themes of sexuality and empowerment.

Overall, the episode provides a glimpse into the diverse and exciting world of music in 1996. We see how the year marked a critical moment in music history, with new sounds and genres emerging and established artists pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Whether you were a fan of pop, rock, or alternative music, there was something for everyone in 1996, and this episode takes us back to that moment in time.