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alternative music

[/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈmjuːzɪk/]
noun
música alternativa
1. A genre of popular music that emerged in the 1980s, characterized by its rejection of mainstream commercial values and often featuring unconventional instruments, experimental production techniques, and diverse lyrical themes
Alternative music gained mainstream popularity during the 1990s with bands like Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins.
A música alternativa ganhou popularidade no mainstream durante os anos 1990 com bandas como Nirvana e The Smashing Pumpkins.
2. Music that represents an alternative to the dominant commercial pop and rock music of a given era
She listens to alternative music because she prefers indie and underground artists.
Ela ouve música alternativa porque prefere artistas indie e underground.
NYC Slang
alt music, indie rock
Synonyms
indie musicalternative rockunderground musicnon-mainstream musicrock alternativo
Antonyms
mainstream musiccommercial poppop musicmúsica comercial

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
música alternativa
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
música alternativa / rock alternativo
Both terms commonly used in the music scene
Rio de Janeiro
música alternativa
Standard term with vibrant indie/alternative scene
Portugal
música alternativa
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

going against the grain
off the beaten path
marching to the beat of your own drum
fora do mainstream
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