10 Top Music Genres And The Artists That Popularized Them

1. 10 Top Music Genres And The Artists That Popularized Them

2. Defined as a category grouping music together that shares certain traditions or conventions, music itself is divided into genres according to its fulfilment of certain criteria; even if those classifications are controversial and entirely subjective, and in many cases, overlap with others. Music itself is always a subjective topic, and what one person loves to listen to, another may well despise. However, there are a few music genres that have achieved lasting popularity among the general public, and here are 10 of them:

3. Rock ● Commonly referred to as ‘rock n roll,’ this highly popular genre of music has been around since the 1950s, and while its roots lie in string instruments, such as the guitar, modern rock also includes the use of many other instruments. Featuring loud and strong guitars, and rock stars who are charismatic and memorable, some of the stars of rock include, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Elvis Presley.

4. Jazz ● With its origins in West African and European culture, jazz music originated in the late 19th to early 20th century, and can be identified by its notes of swing and blues. Having played a historical role in helping to empower female performers, this symbolic music genre was pioneered by such stars as Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Electronic dance music ● EDM mixes tones and beats created by a DJ to form unique music played in clubs and bars all over the world. Sometimes mixing hundreds of tracks in just one DJing session, some stars of the genre who made their debuts in the 1990s include Fat Boy Slim, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers.

5. Dubstep ● A subgenre of EDM, dubstep originated in South London in the late 1990s, and is typically characterised by prominent sub-bass frequencies and syncopated rhythmic patterns. With fans of the genre considering it to be a darker, more underground version of dance music, it has earned its place in the top 10 music genres of the world and features such artists as Skrillex and Flux Pavilion.

6. Techno ● Another EDM subgenre, techno made its mark in Germany at the end of the 1980s, and had its influences in synthpop, house music and funk. A genre frequently played in clubs, techno’s quality has improved vastly with the onset of new technology, and stars that have helped make it so popular today, include Paul Oakenfold and Carl Cox.

7. Rhythm and blues ● Widely referred to as R n B, this particular genre of music combines elements of blues, gospel and jazz, and was first popularised by artists of African American descent. The term ‘rhythm and blues’ was coined by Jerry Wexler of Billboard magazine fame in 1947. Modern stars of this genre include Beyonce, Usher and Rihanna. Country ● With its origins in the 1920s and its roots in American folk and western music, country singers have a unique vocal style that is typically combined with steel guitars, mouth organs and mandolins. Some of those who made the genre so popular include Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers.

8. Pop ● Stemming from the word ‘popular,’ this genre is arguably the broadest of them all, and is one that most of us will be familiar with from listening to the radio and watching the TV. With influences from many other genres, such as Latin, country, and dance, popular artists of this genre include Madonna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears.

9. Indie rock ● Lying somewhere between rock and pop music, this genre was popularised in the late 1980s on MTV, and has continued to be a widely listened to and loved genre featuring such artists as Coldplay, Elbow and The Strokes. Electro ● Blending hip hop and electronic music styles, electro bears a strong auditory resemblance to disco music, but with drum machines and talk boxes to help distinguish it, it has become a genre in its own right, with artists of note including Man Parrish, Freez and Midnight Star.

10. What’s your favorite genre? Or maybe you have more than one? With so many styles of music to choose from today, you can be a fan of them all and find something new and inspiring to listen to, every single day.