Based on my experience/knowledge of the 1990s, there were two types of '90s: the old school '90s (1990-1996) and the new school '90s (1997-1999).  With the '80s I'd say 1980-1985 is the old school '80s and 1986-1989 the newer '80s.

Does anyone else notice this change around 1986?  When music became less new waveish and more alternative, computers and calculators became ubuitiquous, etc?  1986 onwards seems way more modern than the earlier '80s, perhaps partly because the 1970s influence is totally gone.

Yeah, the late 80's have a different feel to them than the early/mid 80's esp. 1988/'89. 1986 still kinda felt like peak 80's though but things started to change a little that year. I might say that 1980-1986 is old school and 1987-1989 is newer 80's even though '86 could go either way.

Yeah, the late 80's have a different feel to them than the early/mid 80's esp. 1988/'89. 1986 still kinda felt like peak 80's though but things started to change a little that year. I might say that 1980-1986 is old school and 1987-1989 is newer 80's even though '86 could go either way.


Yeah.  I think 1995 and 1996 are also slightly more new school/Gen Y then 1994 and prior, but they're still more old school '90s.

Yeah.  I think 1995 and 1996 are also slightly more new school/Gen Y then 1994 and prior, but they're still more old school '90s.



The 90's still felt old schoolish up until 1996 and even into 1997. 1998 is the first year that feels totally new school IMO.

The 90's still felt old schoolish up until 1996 and even into 1997. 1998 is the first year that feels totally new school IMO.


No, I'd even say 1998 is kind of old school.  1997 and '98 are more new school, but they're still old school in some ways.  1999 is the first totally new school year; that's when Spongebob came out.

No, I'd even say 1998 is kind of old school.  1997 and '98 are more new school, but they're still old school in some ways.  1999 is the first totally new school year; that's when Spongebob came out.


Later 1998-Early 1999 was the first totally new school cultural year, when I was about in 3rd grade.

Later 1998-Early 1999 was the first totally new school cultural year, when I was about in 3rd grade.


Yeah I'd agree with that.  That's why Britney Spears became popular, and when South Park really hit its peak.

But back to 1986-1989 being a different type of '80s...

I think they were. That period saw the rise of rap into the public view, the rise of hair metal, the rise to utter ubiquitousness of VCRs/CDs/computers/cable TV/calculators, the death of synthpop and new wave, the origination of what we think of as alt rock and adult Gen X culture like coffee (Sonic Youth, grunge, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pixies), the return of singer-songwriters like Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman, a definite rise in black music (Whitney Houston, Milli Vanilli) and hip-hop influence in "black" music, the more ladylike/'50s of '80s fashions, etc.

No, I'd even say 1998 is kind of old school.  1997 and '98 are more new school, but they're still old school in some ways.  1999 is the first totally new school year; that's when Spongebob came out.



Okay, I'll give you that Donnie. '98 has a certian old school feel to it. I'll go with what velvetoneo said later 1998-early 1999 felt new school.

Okay, I'll give you that Donnie. '98 has a certian old school feel to it. I'll go with what velvetoneo said later 1998-early 1999 felt new school.


I'd agree with that.  I'd say once Master P came on the scene, the old days were over  ;D

Deborah Gibson ruled the second half  8)  :-*  :D

Though unfortunately isn't taken seriously as an adult



Hey, if MTV can rewrite history, so can I

I'd agree with that.  I'd say once Master P came on the scene, the old days were over  ;D



Yeah, Master P coming on the scene and "Make 'em say uhhhh" is the first sign that the world will end in 2012 ;D

Yeah, Master P coming on the scene and "Make 'em say uhhhh" is the first sign that the world will end in 2012 ;D


It was kind of a precursor to saying "errrr!"  ;D