It was a year of tragic loss. It was also the year of birth and rebirth, a new beginning born of the shifting genre realities of the early ’90s. One of the greatest and most diverse years of music, 1994 signaled a total sea-change in the popular interests of music. As Grunge was on its way out, doors were opened for Alternatives to the Alternative. Rap, meanwhile, entered an era of bespoke street poetry never seen at this level. Bands put everything on the line against Ticketmaster. The most popular frontman in the world died. Many of the greatest artists of their generation made their debuts and best works. It was a hell of a year. We’re here to sort through the weeds and compete, once again, in a spirited round of ’90s music drafting.