By Rizzo on February 2, 2009

Remember the days before T-Pain and Nelly? Back when Sean Combs was still Puff Daddy? Back when two kings of the game ruled supreme? When rap still sounded like rap? If you haven’t figured it out yet, this article is dedicated to ’90s rap music. Rap in the ’90s brought widespread popularity to the genre. In the late 80s, Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C. and N.W.A. built a foundation for the gangster rap genre. They paved the way for what would be arguably the best decade the genre has ever seen.
With the exit of Ice Cube in 1989, N.W.A. continued to feud and eventually disbanded in 1991. The stage was set for an epic battle of rap supremacy in the early 90s. An East-West Coast divide had formed with Bad Boy Records on the East Coast, and Death Row Records on the West Coast. Tupac threw gasoline on the fire when he accused Biggie and Combs of being involved with the shooting he fell victim to in a NYC recording studio in 1994. With each record after that, the drama escalated and I think we all know how this story ends.
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Posted in A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Blackilicious, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cypress Hill, DMX, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Eric B. & Rakim, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, LL Cool J, Luniz, Mase, Master P, Mobb Deep, N.W.A., Naughty by Nature, Notorious B.I.G., The, OutKast, Popular Rap Music of the '90s, Public Enemy, Puff Daddy, Roots, The, Run-D.M.C., Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Wu-Tang Clan | Tagged A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Blackilicious, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cypress Hill, DJ Polo, DMX, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Eric B., Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap, Lauren Hill, LL Cool J, Luniz, Mase, Master P, Mobb Deep, N.W.A., Naughty by Nature, Outkast, Public Enemy, Puff Daddy, Rakim, Run-D.M.C., Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G., The Roots, Tupac Shakur, Wu-Tang Clan |
By Rizzo on August 31, 2008

Rizzo Music is back with a new article from the “Popular Music of the 90s” series. Last week I made a list of some of the best pop music of the decade and today I am going to share with you my list for the most popular rock music of the 90s. Out of all the lists and playlists I have created in the past, this was by far the hardest to come up with. There are so many great artists and songs that originated in the 90s and deciding on just 5 songs for every year was tough. I tried to get representation out of all the key rock artists and hopefully I didn’t forget anyone.
After much debate I was able to compile this list of 90s rock music. There are so many songs that I really enjoy that could not be included due restrictions on space but there are 50 great singles here for your enjoyment.
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Posted in AC/DC, Alice In Chains, Better Than Ezra, Blind Melon, Bush, Collective Soul, Counting Crows, Dishwalla, Eve 6, Everclear, Fastball, Foo Fighters, Fuel, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Jane's Addicton, Jesus Jones, Lit, Live, Marcy Playground, Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Oasis, Offspring, The, Pearl Jam, Popular Rock Music of the '90s, R.E.M., Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Semisonic, Smashing Pumpkins, The, Sonic Youth, Spacehog, Sublime, Temple of the Dog, Third Eye Blind, Verve Pipe, The, Verve, The, Wallflowers, The | Tagged AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Better Than Ezra, Blind Melon, Bush, Collective Soul, Counting Crows, Dishwalla, Eve 6, Everclear, Fastball, Foo Fighters, Fuel, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Jane\'s Addicton, Jesus Jones, Lit, Live, Marcy Playground, Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Semisonic, Sonic Youth, Spacehog, Sublime, Temple of the Dog, The Offspring, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve, The Verve Pipe, The Wallflowers, Third Eye Blind |
By Rizzo on August 28, 2008

Remember when you could turn on the radio and actually find some decent music? That is what I miss the most about the 90s. Whether you liked rock, pop, or rap, the ’90s provided your fix for your particular tastes. Although my tastes tend to lean towards the post-grunge music I grew up on, there was no denying some of the great songs that came out of the decade.
I thought it was time to switch it up and bring to you a new kind of article. Within in the next few weeks I am going to present to you my favorite 90s songs separated by genres. I thought I would start off with pop since its pretty general, and well, popular. I will get to strictly rock and rap and many other sub-genres in the future. Feel free to offer your suggestions.
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Posted in Ace of Base, All-4-One, Amy Grant, Annie Lennox, Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Blaque, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Dionne Farris, EMF, Ginuwine, Haddaway, Jennifer Lopez, K-Ci and JoJo, Los Del Rio, Marc Cohen, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Montell Jordan, Mr. Big, Popular Pop Music of the '90s, Real McCoy, The, Rednex, Roxette, Savage Garden, Shania Twain, Sting, SWV, Technotronic, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, Will Smith | Tagged 4 Non Blondes, Ace of Base, Aerosmith, All-4-One, Amy Grant, Annie Lennox, B52\'s, Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Blaque, Bryan Adams, C and C Music Factory, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Dionne Farris, EMF, Ginuwine, Haddaway, Jennifer Lopez, K-Ci and JoJo, LEN, Los Del Rio, Marc Cohen, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Montell Jordan, Mr. Big, P. Diddy, Rednex, Roxette, Savage Garden, Shania Twain, Snap, Sting, SWV, Technotronic, The Cranberries, The Fugees, The Notorious B.I.G., The Real McCoy, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, Will Smith, \'N Sync |
By Rizzo on May 25, 2008

It has been a long time since I made a playlist so I decided what better way to make a playlist then to have one with a little variety. ’90s music is a topic that covers all genres and hopefully I got a good sample of the 1990s in this playlist. This playlist doesn’t feature any hits that were that big in the ’90s but does offer some pretty good songs and a couple of my favorites. No matter what type of music you enjoy, this should take you down memory lane, as there is sure to be at least one song you recognize. I hope you enjoy this selection of ’90s music and be sure to tell me what you think of it. Feel free to check out my other playlists at the bottom of the post and I’ll see you next time.
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Posted in Alice In Chains, Beastie Boys, Cranberries, The, Ginuwine, Hootie And The Blowfish, Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spin Doctors, Third Eye Blind, Tori Amos | Tagged Alice in Chains, Beastie Boys, Ginuwine, Hootie and The Blowfish, Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spin Doctors, The Cranberries, Third Eye Blind, Tori Amos |
By Rizzo on January 12, 2008

Rizzo Music continues with the countdown of the Top 100 Songs of the 1990s, with “Found Out About You” by Gin Blossoms. A radio friendly hit with mass appeal, “Found Out About You” was Gin Blossoms fourth single off of New Miserable Experience. Although this was the only single to hit #1 on the Modern Rock Charts, they released 5 singles off of their sophomore album – all of which cracked the Top 40 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. “Found Out About You”, which was released in 1994, may not be their most popular or famous song to date but was one of those songs that defined their sound as a band.
Gin Blossoms is a jangle pop alternative rock band that formed in the late 80s, but didn’t hit it big until 1993 when they released, “Hey Jealousy”. They not only had five successful singles off of New Miserable Experience, but they also went on to release 3 more singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, two of which broke into the top 10. The band split up in 1997 but started to regroup after 2002. They released their latest album, Major Lodge Victory in 2006 and have been touring ever since.
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Posted in Gin Blossoms, Top Songs Of The '90s | Tagged Gin Blossoms |
By Rizzo on December 28, 2007

After watching VH1′s Greatest Songs of the 90s, I was inspired to start up a series of posts with my picks for the Top 100 Songs of the 1990s. I am going to skip out on the rap songs since I am not that big of an expert on that field of music. I am tempted to include some pop from the 90s but we will see if any of it actually makes the list. I am going to set out a few ground rules for the list and link back to this post for every entry.
Rules (subject to change):
1) An artist can only have up to a maximum of three songs on the list.
2) No rap, Hip-Hop, or R&B will be included on this list.
3) Only singles will be considered for this list.
4) I will accept suggestions but this list is in no way comprised of results from a poll or any form of voting process. It is strictly the opinion of Rizzo Music.
5) And obviously the song must have been released between Jan 1st 1990 and Dec 31st 1999.
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Posted in 311, Bush, Counting Crows, Days of the New, Filter, Gin Blossoms, Marc Cohen, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The, Oasis, OMC, R.E.M., Top Songs Of The '90s, Train | Tagged 311, Bush, Counting Crows, Days Of The New, Filter, Gin Blossoms, Marc Cohen, Oasis, OMC, R.E.M., The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Train |
By Rizzo on August 22, 2007

Lately I have been listening to a lot of music, most of which I never heard before. A lot of it has been from some of my favorite artists, but some have just been random songs that I have come across. I have been going through some old albums as well as some new ones and I decided to make a new playlist with some of my new favorites.
I would just like to make a note of Dishwalla, a band that I recently rediscovered and started to listen to them extensively. Know most for their classic radio hit, “Counting Blue Cars”, they are a band that is much deeper then their one hit wonder status. If you happen to like “Coral Sky”, which is in this playlist, I suggest you check out more of their latest album, which is self-titled. Some of my favorites from that album are “Above The Wreckage”, “Collide” and “40 Stories”. If your more of a fan of their older music you should definitely check out their Live… Greetings From The Flow State album. Well, that’s it for this week. Hope you enjoyed it.
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Posted in Better Than Ezra, Big Head Todd And The Monsters, Bush, Depeche Mode, Dishwalla, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie And The Blowfish, Playlists, Smashing Pumpkins, The, Wallflowers, The | Tagged Better Than Ezra, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Bush, Death Cab for Cutie, Depeche Mode, Dishwalla, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie and The Blowfish, Playlist, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Wallflowers |
By Rizzo on May 7, 2007

A great recap to a great decade. Saturday Night Live is a show that I really have enjoyed over the last decade or so. From Chris Farley to Chris Rock, this show was stacked with comedic geniuses. This television special had plenty of commentary from almost all the great cast members of the 1990s but it was lacking a little in the video clips. With such a long span to cover, it was hard to fit everything into a two hour special but I think that they did a good job. You really can’t go wrong with Chris Farrley’s Matt Foley skit or Will Farrell’s Cowbell performance.
It was really fun to see all the old cast members come back to talk about the golden age of SNL that was the early 90s. The cool thing about it was that there were only a few missing from the commentary. The only one that I noticed that was missing was Adam Sandler. I, being such a avid 90s music fan, loved that fact that they included a bunch of past performances from so many good bands. The musical acts have always been an intricate part of Saturday Night Live, and it was nice to see them be included in the special.
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Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Beck, Blues Traveler, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Garbage, Gin Blossoms, Green Day, Music News, Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Sheryl Crow | Tagged Barenaked Ladies, Beck, Blues Traveler, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Garbage, Gin Blossoms, Green Day, Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Sheryl Crow |
By Rizzo on March 5, 2007

Another Monday playlist for you to enjoy. I just realized how busy these next two weeks will be for me but I am going to try my best to keep up with new articles. For this playlist I thought it would be fun to get a good mix of 10 random songs selected by Itunes. I thought this sample would give a good representation of the kind of music I listen to everyday. I just hope that nothing embarrassing comes up. Thanks for listening and I hope you find something that you like.
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Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews Band, Goo Goo Dolls, Natalie Imbruglia, Playlists, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers | Tagged A Perfect Circle, Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews Band, Goo Goo Dolls, Keane, Lifehouse, Natalie Imbruglia, Playlist, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers |