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1991

1991 in British Music

Grunge crosses the Atlantic, rave goes mainstream, and Nirvana changes everything.

Key Events

  • Nirvana's Nevermind released — 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' reshapes rock globally
  • The Prodigy debut with Experience — rave music finds its first superstar act
  • Primal Scream release Screamadelica — the ultimate indie-dance fusion

Dominant Genres

GrungeRaveIndieHouse

Notable Trends

  • Massive illegal raves prompt the Criminal Justice Act battle
  • Grunge renders hair metal and much British rock obsolete overnight
  • The Orb and KLF take ambient house to the mainstream

Key Artists of 1991

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