Nu metal is a subgenre of alternative metal that emerged in the late 1990s. It blends elements from various musical styles, including hip-hop, grunge, and heavy metal. Characterized by its use of downtuned guitars, aggressive vocals, and often rapped lyrics, nu metal gained popularity with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. The genre often explores themes of personal struggle, alienation, and emotional turmoil. Its unique sound and fusion of genres attracted a diverse audience, leading to significant commercial success in the early 2000s. However, nu metal's popularity waned in the following years, though it still influences many contemporary artists.