Music has a lot to teach us. From World Music to Rap, from Rock to Jazz, there are many styles, genres, and sub-genres in different types of music. It will be wrong to categorise any music into the ‘popular genre of music’ or ‘main music genres’, as the taste keeps on changing with time.
There could be a large number of items on the list. Nevertheless, not all genres are successful and as popular as others. Therefore, some artists are certainly favored over others by the music industry or by the music market.
In the music industry, what are the most popular genres? Do their popularity patterns change geographically as they evolve? These vast questions will be addressed in this essay on different genres of music one should be knowing.
Keep groovin’ to different shades of music genres
1. Pop
Music lovers undoubtedly love pop music, as the label also indicates. Although pop music has evolved so much throughout time, it isn’t easy to define clearly.
Music genres that gain mass popularity are considered pop music. A Beatles song is a pop song, but it would be considered a soft rock song (they produce an enormous amount of music that experiments with many musical genres, but you get my point).
Pop music evolved away from the classic rock form (derived from the Blues) and towards the electronic sound through the Eighties, leading directly to the digital age.
Pop is considered to be one of the popular cultures of its era and dons its own history. Learn the history of pop music production.
Trap and rap are two sub-genres of hip-hop that have been widely adopted in modern pop music thanks to their sounds and musical language. Electronic and dance elements continue to be prominent in popular music. As an example, Latin sounds contribute to an eclectic and diverse approach.
2. Hip-hop and Rap
Both genres, which originated in the Eighties but came from Blues and Gospel roots, gave way to a mainstream standard as they evolved and evolved.
Music was made possible without traditional tools, such as a good singing voice or musical ability, when spoken words and electronic sounds met. Hip-hop’s first rappers painted a picture of the hardships of life in the ghetto through sharp rhymes and rough sounds, but right now, their descendants are enjoying some career successes.
In the same way that many hip-hop subgenres have contributed to the charts, trap and rap influence other genres of music. The internet and social media are influencing trends very rapidly.
3. Rock
The variety of rock music subgenres could probably be the subject of an entire encyclopedia of music genres. To keep this article as simple as possible, we will stick with the basics.
Rock began in the fifties in the United States and Great Britain, directly inspired by the Blues. Having begun in London, it gradually spread across Europe.
Progressive Rock evolved from rough and bluesy styles as rock’n’roll evolved into a more complex form. Meanwhile, Punk music made a comeback towards the end of the Seventies with its raspy and straightforward approach.
Recent years have seen a decrease in the popularity of Rock music. Rock’n’roll has lost its rebellious input to other genres, which have taken over the electronic and digital tools available today.
Rock developed a global following over time, especially in the United States and Europe, just as the two genres discussed in the previous paragraphs.
4. Dance and Electronic music
New ways of making music have emerged thanks to computers and the digital revolution. Music no longer needs instruments to be produced or written. Computers are necessary.
Electronic music gained popularity in dance halls and social events throughout the 1980s and 1990s, as well as preceding phases in the Seventies, at a time when orchestras were still famous among the other music genres. Here’s the detailed guide on how to make electronic music.
EDM has evolved in the last century a lot and we find many admirers of EDM genre. If you have a passion for EDM, you may explore the beginners guide to EDM and find out more about the genre.
5. Latin music
In the Seventies, Latin music was considered a niche genre; however, it has become increasingly popular in the last forty years, thanks to Latin summer hits topping charts worldwide.
Latin music is a different music genre all together which offers a wide range of styles ranging from modern Reggaeton to more traditional styles like Samba.
Its widespread popularity has affected many mainstream productions – including those we could consider Pop – by reincorporating its elements, especially rhythmically.
6. Indie and Alternative Rock
Through the last three decades, the term Indie has evolved. From referring to DIY bands, which descended directly from the punk wave to being applied to glamorous and non-DIY bands these days.
Despite the secretive nature of Alternative Rock, it still exists and considered to be the most popular music in India.
While it has never been a chart-filling genre, Alternative Rock and Indie bands rose to fame throughout the Nineties, becoming another excellent option for anyone who didn’t relate to the glamour of mainstream music.
Several well-known rock sub-genres are included in this broad category, including Grunge.
7. Classical music
Classical music has dominated our culture throughout history. Even though orchestras may not seem so mainstream to you, symphonies, operas, and concertos remain popular worldwide and among all ages.
The older compositions seem to be popular along with the older music genres, but many young composers volunteer tirelessly to help create the classical music forms we all admire and enjoy.
8. K-Pop
Now popular in the U.S. and some European countries, K-Pop is the trending music genres among youngsters and was once available only in Korea.
In the pop world, K-Pop describes a very colourful, fun, glitzy, and glamorous sub-genre sung in Korean.
Social media is the most popular place to follow and revere K-Pop stars. You may read about the best k pop groups in detail.
9. Country
It continues to grow through time, adding style as more popular styles are added to its repertoire while firmly maintaining its identity. Americans adore it, and Europeans praise it, too.
Even though many Country musicians now incorporate elements from Rock and Pop worlds, guitars, banjos, and beautiful voices remain core elements.
10. Metal
Then there’s Metal, which started as a Rock sub-genre but then separated from it due to its popularity.
Heavy Metal was created as a rebellious genre based on distorted guitars and fast drum fills, usually accompanied by scary or creepy images.
Several subgenres have emerged those mix elements of hard rock and hardcore electronica, creating an exciting mix of rock and hardcore.
It does not attempt to be comprehensive. However, it outlines some of the most popular music genres.
There is no definitive list because genres and tastes keep evolving. You can begin your research here as per your selection of songs genres.
