The 1990s were the peak years of MTV. Total Request Live became appointment viewing, artists lived or died by their video spins, and music television was at the centre of youth culture. From grunge anthems to pop explosions, these are the 20 music videos that defined 1990s MTV.
20. Alanis Morissette – Ironic (1996)
A simple concept—four Alanises in one car—turned into one of the decade’s most memorable visuals. The video perfectly matched her quirky, confessional tone, and MTV had it on heavy play through 1996. It helped power Jagged Little Pill (1995) to 33 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the most successful albums of the decade.
19. Spice Girls – Wannabe (1996)
Shot in a single take inside London’s Midland Grand Hotel, Wannabe introduced the world to “Girl Power.” MTV rotated it relentlessly, and the chaotic, energetic visuals made the group instant global stars. The single reached No. 1 in 37 countries, kicking off the Spice Girls’ domination and pushing their debut album Spice (1996) to over 23 million copies sold.
18. R.E.M. – Losing My Religion (1991)
Directed by Tarsem Singh, the surreal visuals combined religious iconography with Michael Stipe’s vulnerable performance. The video won six VMAs in 1991, including Video of the Year, and was played constantly during the early ‘90s alternative boom. The single came from Out of Time (1991), which sold 18 million copies worldwide, making it R.E.M.’s mainstream breakthrough.
17. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun (1994)
One of MTV’s creepiest staples: distorted suburbia, grotesque grins, and apocalyptic skies. Directed by Howard Greenhalgh, it captured the eerie side of grunge culture. The video’s constant airplay pushed the single from Superunknown (1994) to No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and helped the album sell over 9 million copies worldwide.
16. Missy Elliott – The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) (1997)
Missy’s inflatable trash-bag suit became one of the decade’s most iconic images. Hype Williams’ fisheye-lens visuals made it futuristic, bold, and unforgettable. The track, from her debut Supa Dupa Fly (1997), helped the album go platinum within two months and established Missy as one of 1990s MTV’s most creative stars.
![Missy Elliott - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) [Official Music Video]](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/hHcyJPTTn9w/hqdefault.jpg?w=801&ssl=1)
15. Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998)
Split-screen visuals of Harlem in the 1960s versus the 1990s gave Hill’s solo breakout a timeless feel. The song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard, making Lauryn the first female rapper to achieve that feat. The video was an MTV favourite, boosting sales of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), which went on to win Album of the Year at the Grammys and sell over 20 million copies worldwide.
14. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (1992)
Lowriders, backyard barbecues, and West Coast swagger—this video introduced G-funk to MTV’s mainstream. It became one of the channel’s most replayed hip-hop videos of the decade. From Dre’s The Chronic (1992), the single went top 10 on Billboard and helped the album sell over 3 million copies in the U.S.
13. Pearl Jam – Jeremy (1992)
Based on the true story of a teenager who took his own life in front of his classmates, Jeremy was one of the most haunting videos ever aired on MTV.
- MTV Cut (Normal Version): The ending was censored. Instead of showing Jeremy turning the gun on himself, the screen cut to his classmates frozen in shock, spattered with blood. Many viewers misinterpreted this edit as Jeremy attacking his peers.
- Uncut Version (Below): Director Mark Pellington’s original ending made it clear—Jeremy puts the gun in his mouth and pulls the trigger. The uncut version restored the intended focus on suicide, not violence against others.
Even with MTV’s changes, the video remained unforgettable, winning four VMAs in 1993, including Video of the Year. From Ten (1991), it cemented Pearl Jam as one of the defining bands of 1990s MTV.
12. Tupac feat. Dr. Dre – California Love (1995)
A Mad Max-inspired desert wasteland became the backdrop for one of the biggest rap anthems of the decade. Directed by Hype Williams, the video showcased Tupac as a superstar and Dre as a blockbuster producer. It earned two Grammy nominations, drove All Eyez on Me (1996) to Diamond certification (10 million sold in the U.S.), and was on near-constant MTV play.
![2Pac ft. Dr. Dre - California Love (Official Video) [Full Length Version]](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/omfz62qu_Bc/hqdefault.jpg?w=801&ssl=1)
11. Beastie Boys – Sabotage (1994)
Spike Jonze’s parody of ‘70s cop shows—complete with fake moustaches, wigs, and chaotic chases—was MTV comedy gold. Though famously snubbed at the 1994 VMAs, fans kept it in rotation. It came from Ill Communication (1994), which hit No. 1 on Billboard, making the Beasties one of MTV’s most reliable acts.
10. Madonna – Vogue (1990)
Shot in sharp black-and-white by David Fincher, Vogue fused Hollywood glamour with New York ballroom culture. It was one of 1990s MTV’s most played clips and won three VMAs. The single topped the charts in over 30 countries, boosting I’m Breathless (1990) and keeping Madonna on top into a new decade.
9. Eminem – My Name Is (1999)
Cartoonish parody, celebrity takedowns, and raw humour—this video made Slim Shady a household name. Even censored, MTV couldn’t stop spinning it. The track, from The Slim Shady LP (1999), helped the album sell over 5 million copies in the U.S. within a year, turning Eminem into MTV’s most controversial new star.
8. Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (1999)
TRL’s crown jewel, this video saw the Backstreet Boys in matching white outfits performing on an airport runway—a visual that became instantly iconic and one of the most requested clips in MTV history. The single sold over 10 million copies worldwide, while their album Millennium (1999) moved 30 million units, much of it fuelled by MTV hysteria.
The video’s cultural saturation was so complete that Blink-182 famously parodied it in their All the Small Things video, poking fun at boy-band tropes while proving just how massive Backstreet had become.
7. TLC – No Scrubs (1999)
With its futuristic spaceship sets and metallic outfits, No Scrubs dominated late-1990s MTV. It won Best Group Video at the 1999 VMAs, spent four weeks at No. 1 on Billboard, and helped FanMail (1999) sell over 6 million copies in the U.S.
6. Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time (1998)
The schoolgirl outfit, the choreographed hallway routine—this video became the face of TRL. MTV played it constantly, making Britney the decade’s final megastar. The single hit No. 1 in 18 countries, and the album …Baby One More Time (1999) sold 25 million copies worldwide.
5. TLC – Waterfalls (1995)
A socially conscious anthem paired with CGI effects of the trio as water spirits. It won Video of the Year at the 1995 VMAs, making TLC the first Black act to claim that honour. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, pushing CrazySexyCool (1994) to 14 million U.S. sales.
4. Guns N’ Roses – November Rain (1992)
Nine minutes of rock-opera spectacle, complete with wedding, funeral, and Slash’s legendary church solo. Costing $1.5 million, it was one of the most expensive videos ever made. MTV’s endless rotation made it a fan favourite, pushing Use Your Illusion I (1991) to 7 million U.S. sales.
3. Britney Spears – Sometimes (1999)
A breezy beachside ballad that kept Britney’s momentum alive after her debut. While not as iconic as Baby One More Time, it was a TRL mainstay in 1999 and ensured Britney mania never slowed. The single boosted sales of her debut album past 10 million in the U.S.
2. *NSYNC – Tearin’ Up My Heart (1998)
This breakout video sparked the boy-band wars. MTV played it side by side with Backstreet Boys, fuelling one of pop’s biggest rivalries. From their self-titled debut NSYNC (1997/1998 U.S. release), the single made them household names and helped the album sell over 10 million copies in the U.S.
1. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
A dingy gymnasium, anarchic cheerleaders, and Cobain’s howl. Directed by Samuel Bayer, the video became the most requested in MTV history, flipping the mainstream from hair metal to grunge almost overnight. From Nevermind (1991), the single hit No. 6 on Billboard, and the album went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
Why 1990s MTV Mattered
1990s MTV wasn’t just television—it was the centre of youth culture. From Nirvana’s chaos to Britney’s schoolgirl routine, from TLC’s activism to GNR’s excess, these videos didn’t just sell singles—they sold eras. Every afternoon, millions tuned into TRL or waited for the next world premiere, and these 20 clips became the soundtrack to growing up in the ‘90s.
But none of this would have been possible without the groundwork laid by 1980s MTV, when Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Duran Duran first turned music videos into global events. If the ‘80s built the stage, the ‘90s filled it—and made MTV a worldwide obsession.