The 90s were a time of significant social and cultural changes. As a 2000s baby, I never got to experience what it would have been like to be a teenager in the 1990s. But a man can dream. There were several era-defining cultures and events in the 90s that always made me feel like I missed out on the good stuff, and I’m hoping by the end of this article, you’ll feel the same way. 

To begin with, let’s address one of the most significant cultural categories: Music. 

The 90s were nicknamed the Gangsta Rap Nineties for a reason; hip-hop legends like Tupac, Biggie, and Snoop Dogg were huge names in those times. The expressive nature of rap as an art form means that ‘beefs’ were commonplace and frequent. One of the biggest rap rivalries of all time revolved around the East Coast and West Coast singers, namely Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. To this day, hip-hop’s contribution to music as a whole is monumental. Being a teen witnessing the creation of an art form is something I envy a lot. The 90s made rap what it is today. 

TV shows and movies were arguably much more relevant back in the day. TV series like F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Seinfeld are celebrated as leaders of the sitcom world today, and we are yet to see any other comedy shows on the same pedestal as these. Say what you will about TV shows like The Sopranos and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but the impact these shows have had on a whole generation of teens is undeniable. Old-school movies like Titanic were era-defining pieces of cinema, teaching us that love is the most potent force in this world. In my opinion, Hollywood is yet to follow up with a worthy entry. 

Today, phones influence almost every aspect of our life, in both good and bad ways. As an avid smartphone user, it is a nice tool to have around, but sometimes I wonder if it’s really such a great addition to our lives. These days, mental health issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, inferiority complexes and many other issues are becoming more prevalent in teens. Social media apps like Instagram provide us with constant stimulation, egging us to keep scrolling for hours on end. The 90s were a time when these problems didn’t seem to be as prevalent, which is another reason why they are so idealized.

While nostalgia is probably a huge reason behind people’s love for the 90s, the overall mood of this decade should also be considered. Somewhere between the end of the Gulf War, and a new, young leader taking up the post of President in the United States, things were starting to look up in the 90s. Apart from this, the ‘political and economic state of the world’ at the time (get it?) seemed to be prosperous in general, in my opinion. 

In the end, I would like to say that time is what you make of it. Idealizing the “good ol’ days” is quite alright, but make sure that you form memorable times in the present and make your own time the “Golden Era”.