If we had to choose one music video that perfectly captured the 1990s, it would have to be this California-themed celebration featuring 2Pac and Dre’s sister group En Vogue with some seriously entertaining dance moves.
Girl power is strong in this black and white clip. From parachute pants to an incredible jog in place move, there are some fantastic dance routines here – not to mention MJ’s incredible screaming performance that puts this video over the edge!
Madonna’s “Vogue”
From flashy spectacle to low-fi realism, surreal fantasy to retro fetishism – music videos in the 90s showcased all imaginable styles from flashy spectacle to low-fi realism, as well as retro fetishism and flashback fetishism – and it is hard to overstate their impactful effect on dance music generally as represented by its iconic videos.
Madonna made waves with her sensuous video for “Vogue,” which introduced the world to the mesmerizing art of voguing, an extravagant dance style popular among Harlem house-ballroom scenesters at that time. Filmed in stylish black-and-white Art Deco style, the video references paintings by Tamara de Lempicka and Golden Age photography of Horst P. Horst as well as boasting haute couture elegance.
Madonna’s video deftly explores body image and female empowerment with images showing her wearing a lace dress while striking various sexy poses, as well as dancers executing an intricate choreography performed all while standing still.
Hip-hop had established itself firmly as part of mainstream pop culture during the 1990s, and producers were seeking ways to push its limits through music video production. One such video from this era is Limp Bizkit’s energetic “Nookie.” The video follows them on an adventure around town before taking them out onto public streets where they perform explosive performances that bring joyous revelry to crowds of revellers.
Marky Mark’s “Good Vibrations”
Marky Mark’s “Good Vibrations” stands out as an influential song from the 90s, featuring supermodels, soft lighting, and body piercings; its sensuality makes it timeless today.
If you were raised during the 90s, chances are good that you know Britney Spears’s “…Baby One More Time.” It was her breakout video and its gymnasium setting perfectly captured everything about pop music during that decade.
Bjork understood this better than anyone, demonstrating it with her incredible video for “All Is Full Of Love.” Her sci-fi vision featured mechanical robots falling in love, creating an extraordinary piece that defied genre classification.
No list of music videos from the 1990s would be complete without crediting Hype Williams and his incredible creativity in creating one of hip-hop’s iconic images: shiny suits mixed with Afrofuturism and an iconic garbage bag – an image still associated with hip-hop today and which introduced fisheye lens technology into widespread usage, elevating Busta Rhymes to global star status in the process.
Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”
If you grew up during the ’90s, chances are “I Want It That Way” made its way onto your playlist at least once. This iconic BSB song and its music video reached their zenith of turn-of-the-millennium popularity; depicting an unfaithful partner chasing after their former flame with visuals reminiscent of The Matrix; adding another memorable dimension through being shot at LA International Airport’s Tom Bradley Terminal as part of its legacy.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana perfectly captures this period, depicting their band raging at an extreme high school pep rally which eventually turns violent and eventually disintegrates into chaos.
Michel Gondry became famous in the ’90s for creating innovative music videos that popularized synchronized dance performances. However, his iconic work for Daft Punk’s global hit “Around The World” truly stands out. The choreographed video shows off Daft Punk’s dancers moving seamlessly together; an example of how far dance music videos had come over just a few short years.
Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity”
Jamiroquai made it look effortless in their music video for “Virtual Insanity”, earning it the video of the year award at 1997 MTV Video Music Awards and inspiring memes thanks to their floating effects and Busby Berkeley-influenced choreography – elevating “Virtual Insanity” into an art house classic and earning them their only ever MTV Video Music Award win ever! Family Guy even used their appearance as evidence that its creative merits stood up well over time!
Michel Gondry made his mark during the 1990s as a pioneering French director, creating extravagant music videos. One of his most memorable was for Daft Punk’s global hit single, “Around the World”. It featured stunning synchronized dancing that left viewers stunned, and using one-take videos made the video and song stand out amongst equally memorable 90s music videos.
Missy Elliott reigned supreme of alternative rock during the 90s, and her debut video director Hype Williams delivered. His vision pushed hip-hop imagery to its extreme, featuring everything from shiny suits to afrofuturism and eye-catching garbage bags – not forgetting Missy scratching records amidst bees – making this an exciting yet engaging video worth viewing!
The Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage”
“Sabotage,” released by the Beastie Boys in 1990, remains one of the most iconic dance music videos from that decade. Not only did its release help define trip-hop/ambient/Bristol music genre characterized by dark imagery and lyrics; but its video also popularized voguing as an innovative form of dancing that is both fun and sexy; its dance moves can still be found widely imitated today!
This song serves as an indication of where the Beastie Boys came from musically: in late ’70s and early ’80s NYC punk and hardcore scenes. Its aggressive, amp-shredding rock sound and attitude, as well as lyrics depicting being taken advantage of by someone, speak volumes about where their roots lie.
The music video for “No Matter Where We Land” is an unforgettable classic, boasting high-octane stunts such as car chase and jump. Most notably, however, is its first-ever use of a Dodge Viper; an iconic V8 sports car used by law enforcement since the late ’80s and now popular among law-enforcement officers themselves. Filmed at a downtown Los Angeles hotel where the band performed during their 1996 tour; later featured in Futurama episode “Hampton Comes Alive” as well as video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
The Chemical Brothers’ “Sleeping Beauty”
With fashion being such an integral aspect of the 90s, it comes as no surprise that The Chemical Brothers’ mesmerizing dance track became an iconic 90s music video. Helmed by esteemed director David Fincher and considered an ode to Hollywood’s golden age; luxurious Art Deco-era inspired sets and glamorous monochrome photography enhance its allure; plus it stars Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington Tatjana Patitz and Cindy Crawford make appearances!
In the 90s, alternative rock and experimental music reached new levels of obscurity. Beck is featured here performing his trip-hop influenced groove in various roles that range from litter picking convict to car salesman and even horror movie monster. Shot all in one take with dreamlike editing techniques adding a sense of spontaneity and creativity, this music video makes an excellent example.
Even though this music video may not be as impressive as some of the others on this list, it’s worth taking a look. Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” proves that great videos don’t require big budgets – in fact it was shot guerilla style with only $800 budget by Director Spike Jonze going undercover as a choreographer to lead an impromptu flash mob dance troupe to film in front of unsuspecting passerby outside LA’s Fox Bruin Theatre to filming this masterpiece which won three awards at 1999 MTV Music Video Awards!