Why did jazz lose its general popularity after 1990 until today? (2024)

Jazz, a genre of music that originated in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experienced a decline in general popularity after 1990. The reasons for this decline are multifaceted and complex. Here are some factors that may have contributed to the decline of jazz popularity:

1. Fragmentation of the Music Industry
   The fragmentation of the music industry in the 1990s resulted in a diversification of musical tastes, and jazz was no longer the primary genre for people to listen to. The emergence of new musical genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music resulted in a decline in the popularity of jazz.

2. Lack of Promotion
   Some experts believe that the decline in jazz popularity is due to the lack of promotion by record labels and media outlets. Jazz music did not receive the same level of exposure and marketing as other genres, which may have contributed to its decline in popularity.

3. Changing Tastes
   The younger generation’s musical tastes shifted away from jazz, and they favored genres such as hip-hop, rap, and electronic music. The rise of digital technology and the internet also resulted in a change in listening habits and consumption patterns, with younger listeners preferring to stream and download music rather than buying physical copies.

4. Aging Audience
   The decline in jazz popularity may also be due to the aging of the genre’s audience. Many jazz enthusiasts are older adults who grew up listening to jazz, and as they age, they may not have the same level of interest or enthusiasm for the genre.

5. Limited Exposure in Mainstream Media
   Jazz music did not receive the same level of exposure in mainstream media as other genres, which may have contributed to its decline in popularity. Jazz was no longer played on the radio or featured in mainstream movies and TV shows, limiting its exposure to a wider audience.

Sources:

• Christgau, Robert. “Whatever Happened to Jazz?” Slate, 5 Nov. 2013, https://slate.com/culture/2013/11/jazz-decline-the-genre-has-lost-popularity-in-the-united-states.html.
• Gioia, Ted. The History of Jazz. Oxford University Press, 2011.
• Rosen, Jody. “The Death of Jazz.” The New Yorker, 20 June 2014, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-death-of-jazz.