In the 1990s, Australia had few options when it came to electronic dance music. Though radio stations were growing in popularity, especially in rural regions, it wasn’t easy for an urban act to get a major breakthrough. Yet, despite the lack of opportunities, some acts did manage to break through and make a name for themselves. Here’s a look at some of those bands and the music they created.
One band that started out back in 1990 is Akon. The then young Akon found himself getting picked up by Above & Beyond, a popular Australian talent agency that was at the time largely unheard of in the U.S. He soon made his solo debut with the single “Scatter”. The single went on to become Above & Beyond’s second biggest single, while also going straight to number two in the U.S. with “Breathe”.
One other act from the 1990s worth noting is Skin Care. This band formed in Australia but eventually became very popular in the United States. Skincare for the first time came about through the video shown on MTV, which showed a man removing facial hair by means of razor blades. Skin care has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. While no official records are available for the band, they have made guest appearances in a few episodes of American Idol, as well as being named one of the band of the year by DJ Magazines.
Another band with a song in Above & Beyond’s top 10 best songs is the late rave/disco outfit Moody Blues. The group’s song, “Caribbean”, reached number five in the U.S. in the spring of 1990. Though no official explanation has been given as to why the song came second, many speculate it was due to the tension between the group and their American record label, Virgin. Bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin also had issues with their label, though they eventually rose above it. The same can be said for Insane and Skid Row.
The band Fifth Harmony currently holds the number seventeenth position in the all time list for most downloads. A special promotion was held during the U.S. debut tour, which resulted in fans trying to get hold of the band’s CD while it was on sale at local stores. Fans tried their best to steal it and sell it for a substantial profit, despite numerous police warnings.
Finally, the band Akon also made it to the top ten list during the third season of American Idol, placing eleventh. On that show, Akon performed “No Apologize” which became an instant hit. The clip that accompanied the song contained many well-known celebrities from around the world. As you watch online free music videos from that episode, you can see exactly what happened as Akon’s performance went viral.
So, if you have not yet caught up with the series, what are you waiting for? The best time to watch this kind of program is in the fall when it first appears on television. Each season of Idol features a new song and the music video appear around the same time. If you missed the first season, fear not! You can catch up with the rest of the videos in the coming months and enjoy watching the best time slots on Idol.
In the meantime, you can check out the other popular programs that Idol has to offer, including: Dance Revolution: Hottest Hits, Popstar: The Best Show, and Search Party: The Search. You can also make money watching these programs by registering for the corresponding Idol online competitions. Some of them only last for a few days, so it is wise to register for as many competitions as possible in order to maximize your chances of winning the jackpot.
