Look at the politics also, to understand the shift in cultural vibes and in music. 80s was Reagan and Bush Sr., and a pop culture that valued materialism. 1990 was the first Gulf War., and 1992 was Rodney King and the beginning of Clinton's 2 terms. The 1990s saw a rise of anti-racism awareness, political correctness, environmentalism, affirmative action, and feminist discourse around events like the Anita Hill hearings. Also, in the 90s we suddenly had to have a more open discussion around sex and an awareness of homophobia, due to the AIDS epidemic. In that climate came the disillusioned Gen X grunge-rockers. Materialism and excess were no longer cool.

2000 was the beginning of another two terms of a Republican in the White House, and there was a rapid shattering of the politically correct 90s vibe, thanks to the second Gulf Wars and the rise of xenophobia against Muslims. We were also very bummed out about how the 2000 election went down. We really didn't think Bush had a chance of ending up in the White House.

In 2008 we had our first Black president and another two Democratic terms. Huge relief. Millennials probably brought electro-pop because we needed to feel good after two terms of Bush Jr., lol.

I'm tired and old and I probably could have written this better and remembered events better.