7 Ways This Generation Relates To Kurt Cobain Decades After His Death

It's been 21 years since Kurt Cobain took his own life in his Seattle home, but it feels like only yesterday.

The front man of one of the greatest alternative grunge bands in history has not only left a few Billboard-charting hits behind in this world, but also a legacy in the music industry and society as a whole.

Through his angsty sound, Cobain and his bandmates were able to transform an era of 80s rock equipped with big hair and big names, to a scene of bringing the underground movement to the forefront.

While bands such as Blink 182, The Foo Fighters and The White Stripes have, for years, paid homage to Cobain for his ability to pave the way, it wasn't just the alternative rock industry Cobain touched.

Years later, artists like Lana Del Ray, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Eminem pay tribute through song lyrics and quotes in interviews with the media.

But, behind all the fame and glory Cobain had, his inner torment and battles got the best of him. When he took his life in 1994, he brought a timeless issue to the spotlight: the struggling artist.

When we think of celebrities who inhabit fame, success, money and material, we so often think they are on a pedestal, far from where we are as the Average Joes.

But, Cobain was an artist who never hid his struggles.

Whether it was through his cutthroat lyrics, blunt quotes in the media or overall persona, Cobain was no stranger to wearing his psyche on his sleeve.

And, to be quite honest, it’s what the fans truly need to see from their idols. When you look up to someone for so long, memorizing their art and sporting their merchandize on your body, it’s not because you want to fit in with a crowd.

When you’re a true fan of someone, you relate to his or her struggle.

His or her words are able to break through the guarded walls into your heart and soul. You can find yourself through the exertion and sorrow; you can discover parts of yourself tucked deep away inside of you.

We all deal with anxiety about life, fighting stereotypes and societal “rules” drawn out for us, and many times, we feel resistance and the need to fight back.

We want to “Come As We Are,” and be able to challenge the norm, break down the walls and fight back against a society that seems to be always fighting us.

Here are seven Kurt Cobain quotes that prove he’s just like us:

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."

Who doesn’t want just to be who they are, no excuses and no apologies?

“The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.”

As Generation-Y, we’re going to be the generation that changes the world. This means we have to break down the walls of corporate corruption and shake up the industry overall.

“If you die, you're completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on. I'm not afraid of dying. Total peace after death, becoming someone else is the best hope I've got.”

Happiness is the key to all personal success. We are all on the path to complete, total peace within ourselves. It’s not death we fear, but the life of our souls that live on.

“I started being really proud of the fact that I was gay even though I wasn't.”

Our generation is the one that stands for equal rights, equal love and the LGBTQ movement. We feel you, Kurt.

"We have no right to express an opinion until we know all the answers."

When we debate our opinions with others, it’s hard to combat someone who hasn’t done their research. We should always look for all of the facts before we start shouting our opinions. It’s important to never be oblivious to all that’s out there

“The worst crime is faking it.”

No body likes someone who fronts, and no body likes the ones who try to be someone they are not.

"John Lennon was definitely my favorite Beatle, hands down."

Enough said.