Music knows no borders, cultures, or generations. It can inspire feelings, draw remembrance, and unite people. But music isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Music has a large number of genres, each having different sounds, instruments, rhythms, and cultural origins. Listening to the smooth sounds of jazz is a different experience than listening to the upbeat sounds of rock music.
In this ultimate guide to all genres of music, we are going to explore all the types of music genres, from the most popular to the least known. So, if you want to discover something new or just find out about the most popular genre of music, this blog will guide you through the different types of music genres today.
Before discussing the various types of music genres, let us first answer one of the most frequently asked questions: How many genres of music are there? This is a tricky question to answer definitively since music genres tend to overlap, change, and create subgenres.
There are more than 1,200 music genres in the world today, and that number keeps growing as new genres and subgenres develop. These include mainstream genres—think classical, rock, and pop—and niche sub-genres or experimental genres, like lo-fi hip-hop or electro-swing.
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Even the varying numbers of genres of music have their provenance tied to regions, epochs of time, and the common social psyche. Over centuries, varying cultures across the globe created their own distinctly unique versions of music. As societies evolved and technology developed, those styles blended and split off, creating new and hybrid genres.
Through the internet and streaming services, the modern era has speeded up how music has evolved. With just a click, listeners from anywhere across the globe can get a taste of each genre of music to get connected and provide feedback.
This article will examine a few of the most iconic and different kinds of music genres that define the international music landscape.
Pop music, short for "popular music," is perhaps the most common music genre in the world. It is world-famous for its catchy tunes, repetitive structures, and relatable lyrics and has taken the charts by storm for decades. Pop music is an umbrella genre that draws on rock, hip-hop, electronic music, and others and keeps shifting. In between, artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Taylor Swift have helped make pop music popular around the world.
Rock music began in the 1950s as a blend of rhythm and blues, country and jazz. Rock's electric guitar driven sound, propelling beats and iconoclastic spirit soon helped make it one of the most popular forms of 20th-century music. Subgenres such as punk rock, grunge, and alternative rock brought additional texture and variety to the rock sound, while iconic rock bands such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones created the musical foundation.
Jazz is a style of music that developed in the African-American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is known for its improvisation, swing, and complex chord progressions. Jazz has had an impact on a multitude of other music genres, such as blues, R&B, and hip-hop. One of the most frequent questions in this book is, “What genre of music is Frank Sinatra? Although related more to jazz, Sinatra's music is classified more with traditional pop and swing music.
One of the oldest and most respectable genres of music is classical music. It includes styles and periods that, on the surface, couldn’t be further apart from the Baroque choral compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach to the Romantic works of Ludwig van Beethoven and the modern pieces of Igor Stravinsky - all of it.
The classical style involves orchestras, symphonies, and opera; however, classical music is primarily instrumental. It is also one of the most systematized genres, with formal compositional techniques and theories that reach back centuries.
Hip hop is one of the most powerful music genres in contemporary society. It was born in the Bronx in the 1970s and is characterized by its rhythmic beats, spoken word (known as rap), and sampling from various musical styles.
Hip-hop culture includes music, dance (breakdance), graffiti, and a fashion style. Hip-hop has since gained massive popularity as a music genre, thanks in large part to artists such as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z, who have brought it into the mainstream.
Blues is a register rooted in the African-American experience, originating in the late 19th century. It's a genre characterized by sad songs and themes of hardship, struggle, and emotional expression. If you think about it, blues music has deeply impacted all types of music, like rock, jazz, and country. Examples of famous blues artists include B.B. King, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters.
EDM, short for Electronic Dance Music, is a wide genre that features many subtypes, such as house, techno, and trance. EDM has a very synthesizer and electronic beat-driven foundation, which leads to a lot of repetitive rhythms, which makes it work well for dance floors and festivals. The genre exploded in the 2000s and is now ubiquitous in nightclubs and music festivals across the globe.
Country music began in the southern United States backwoods in the 1920s. Characterized by its storytelling lyrics and use of instruments, including guitars, banjos, and fiddles, it has developed into one of the most popular genres of music in the U.S. From early artists like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton to stars of today such as Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. The genre has remained at the forefront of American music.
Besides the most familiar music genres, many relatively unknown yet interesting music genres deserve mention. These genres also illustrate the variety and innovation of the music world.
Reggae originated in Jamaica in the 1960s and is known for its laid-back, syncopated rhythms. One of the most iconic musicians of all time, Reggae, helped bring the genre to the forefront of global attention. An early musical genre developed from reggae music is writing about peace, social justice, and political issues.
Lo-fi hip hop, aka "low-fidelity" hip hop, is one of the relatively new genres of music that has found a place in online streaming channels. It’s defined by a relaxed vibe, rough-around-the-edges production, and gentle instrumental loops. This genre is frequently utilized as ambient sound for work or study.
World music encompasses genres of music from all different aspects of non-Western cultures. It includes genres such as African drumming, Indian classical music, and Latin salsa. Though these genres may not have the same commercial viability as pop or rock, they provide a unique listening experience that connects people to different cultures and traditions.
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These can be ballads, anthems, jazz, traditional pop, and swing. Though he’s sometimes boxed in the jazz corner, thanks to his smooth voice and collaborations with jazz musicians, Sinatra is best remembered for his work in traditional pop music, typified by orchestral arrangements and timeless standards. These songs, such as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “My Way,” have solidified his status as an icon in American music.
But overall, the answer varies with region and demographic: What is the most popular genre of music today? Around the world, pop music still reigns supreme on the charts. Still, hip-hop has become hugely popular, particularly in the U.S.
Streaming platforms have also democratized music consumption, making it possible for genres like EDM, reggaeton, and K-pop to gain international audiences. At the end of the day, you have your two most popular genres, but that will always change over time. Pop and hip-hop will always be at the top of the music food chain.
Music is such a versatile art form, with different kinds of music genres to suit every taste and mood. From the classic sound of Sinatra's old-school pop through to the use of electronic beats in EDM, every genre of music has its own special qualities. You might want to dive into the most popular genre these days, or you might want something very niche; however, music always has something new to offer. There are over 1,200 genres to select from, so the options are limitless.
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