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Alternative

Alternative (colloquially shortened to alt) is a commercial category related to rock music, primarily developing in the United States? in the 1980s? through college radio, trade publications, and semi-major labels. By the early 1990s?, alternative music was a mainstream commercial phenomenon, and it would remain an institution through the decade and far into the 2000s?, rebranding as indie? for a new generation.

The heart of alternative music is alternative rock?, but alternative also commonly includes:

• adult alternative? and alt-pop?
• indie rock and other indie music
• New Wave? and alternative dance
• punk? and post-punk