1998 in British Music

The Story of 1998

Post-Britpop consolidation, with British music finding new directions. Massive Attack's 'Mezzanine' was a dark, brooding masterpiece, 'Teardrop' becoming iconic. The album's heavy, dub-influenced sound marked a shift from the trip-hop origins. Cornershop's 'Brimful of Asha' was a joyous, Indian-influenced indie hit. Manic Street Preachers' 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours' was huge, 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next' winning the Mercury Prize. Robbie Williams went solo – 'Angels' became the defining ballad of the late 90s, launching a solo career that would make him Britain's biggest entertainer. The boyband and girl group wars were fierce – Steps, B*Witched, Five and Billie were competing with the Spice Girls and All Saints. Madonna's 'Ray of Light' was massive. Fatboy Slim's 'You've Come a Long Way, Baby' made big beat accessible to everyone, 'Praise You' and 'The Rockafeller Skank' becoming ubiquitous. The Prodigy's 'Fat of the Land' was still huge. Dance music was now mainstream in a way it hadn't been before. British music was commercially thriving, even if the guitar-led indie scene felt in transition.