Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed in 1987 in Aberdeen, Washington. The band was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, and was known for its powerful and emotive music, as well as Cobain's distinctive songwriting and vocal style. Nirvana released three studio albums during its career: Bleach (1989), Nevermind (1991), and In Utero (1993). The band's breakthrough album, Nevermind, was a commercial and critical success, and helped to popularize the grunge and alternative rock genres.
Nirvana achieved massive success in the early 1990s, with its single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" becoming an international hit and a defining song of the era. The band's music and lyrics resonated with a generation of young people, and Nirvana became one of the biggest and most influential bands of the 1990s. Despite its success, however, Nirvana was plagued by personal and creative tensions, and the band came to an end in 1994 when Kurt Cobain was found dead in his home, in an apparent suicide.
Nirvana's music continues to be widely celebrated and influential, and the band is often cited as one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time. The band's three studio albums have been certified diamond (10 million copies sold) by the RIAA, and have been included on numerous best-of and greatest albums lists. Despite its brief career, Nirvana left a lasting legacy, and continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike.