Lovely Western music

[Western Music] A roundup of male solo singers who were active in the ’90s

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Western music of the ’90s, when grunge, alternative rock, and R&B were reshaping the scene.

If you’re someone who wants to revisit—or discover for the first time—the songs of the male solo singers who defined that era but aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll introduce a host of talented singers who lit up the charts back then.

It’s a rich lineup that both those seeking nostalgia and those wanting to rediscover the music of that time can enjoy.

Now that streaming makes listening so easy, why not rediscover the classic hits of those days?

[Western Music] Male Solo Singers Who Were Active in the ’90s (11–20)

Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) Ft. Ronald Isley & Ernie IsleyR. Kelly

R. Kelly – Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) Ft. Ronald Isley & Ernie Isley Full (Official Video)

Down Low (Nobody Has To Know) Ft. Ronald Isley & Ernie IsleyR. Kelly

When discussing the R&B scene of the 1990s, one indispensable figure is R.

Kelly.

He debuted in 1992 as part of the group Public Announcement, and the following year his solo album 12 Play became a major hit.

With a style that blended smooth melodies, sensual slow jams, and gospel-inspired uplift, he came to be known as the “King of R&B.” His song I Believe I Can Fly, which won three Grammy Awards, was featured in the film Space Jam and became a beloved classic worldwide.

Despite his exceptional talent and illustrious career, he was convicted of long-standing sex crimes beginning in 2021 and is currently serving his sentence.

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In conclusion

The charm of male Western music singers from the ’90s remains timeless and unfading.

For those who lived through the era, their songs evoke nostalgia; for first-time listeners, they offer fresh surprises.

Dive into the uniquely crafted tracks by these ’90s male artists and create your own favorite playlist.

It will surely enrich your musical experience.