Straying Away from the Mainstream Music from the 90s can be hard to classify because of the foundation on which it grew. Alternative was a genre of music that was born out of the need for change. This clearly shows in the alternative, straying away from the mainstream styles, whether it be through rock, rap, reggae, or pop. This musical revolution started in the late 80s and carried throughout the early 90s. The most prominent sub-genre of the 90s was grunge rock. Grunge was a type of alternative rock that rejected commercialism. The most important alternative grunge rock bands were Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, due to characteristics through lyrics and instruments. Nirvana means a place that’s unconscious to all the pain,