i don't understand why there is an "alternative" genre of music...isnt ALL music in some way an alternative to another (like gospel could be the alternative of rap...dance the alternative of country...rock the alternative of reggae, etc etc)
can someone explain this 2 me.

i think it implies an alternative to what's mainstream or better known as pop. but i basically agree with your comment. alternative music, alternative lifestyle, etc..

Alternative used to mean college rock which was the lesser-known artists played mostly by college radio stations in the 80s. Now alternative doesn't mean anything.