Hootie & the Blowfish

Hootie & the Blowfish are an American rock band formed in Columbia, South Carolina, whose blend of jangly, radio-friendly rock with roots in Southern college-town bar culture made them one of the defining commercial acts of mid-1990s rock. Fronted by singer Darius Rucker, the band built a large grassroots following through relentless touring of college towns before breaking into the mainstream.

Their 1994 debut album «Cracked Rear View» became a phenomenon, propelled by hit singles «Hold My Hand», «Let Her Cry», «Only Wanna Be With You», and «Time», and it remains one of the best-selling albums in American music history. Its sound — warm, unpretentious, built on Rucker's soulful baritone and clean, hook-driven guitar work — offered an accessible alternative to both grunge and glossy pop of the era, drawing on folk-rock, country, and R&B influences.

The band continued releasing albums through the late 1990s and 2000s, including «Fairweather Johnson» and «Musical Chairs», before going on hiatus as Rucker pursued a successful solo country career. They eventually reunited for new music and touring, remaining fondly regarded as a symbol of easygoing, guitar-driven 1990s rock.