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Music genre

Pop music

Pop music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music. Explore its 68 subgenres, key artists and related styles.

About Pop music

Pop music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music.

Artists closely associated with the genre include Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Corbin Bleu, Basshunter, Elvis Presley and The Carpenters.

Pop music has given rise to 68 subgenres on this site, such as Pop rock, Indie pop, Contemporary R&B and Pop-punk.

From Wikipedia

Pop music, or simply pop, is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form during the mid-1950s in the United States and the United Kingdom. During the 1950s and 1960s, pop music encompassed rock and roll and the youth-oriented styles it influenced. Rock and pop music remained roughly synonymous until the late 1960s, after which pop became associated with music that was more commercial, ephemeral, and accessible.

Identifying factors of pop music usually include repeated choruses and hooks, short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse–chorus structure), and rhythms or tempos that can be easily danced to. Much of pop music also borrows elements from other styles such as rock, hip-hop, urban, dance, Latin, and country.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Pop music.

Key artists

  • Michael Jackson
  • The Beatles
  • Corbin Bleu
  • Basshunter
  • Elvis Presley
  • The Carpenters
  • Madonna
  • John Lennon
  • Taylor Swift
  • Selena Gomez

Related genres

Questions people ask

Real questions from the Stack Exchange community – follow a link to read the discussion.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pop music?

Pop music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of popular music.

Where and when did Pop music originate?

Pop music originated in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s.

Who are famous Pop music artists?

Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Corbin Bleu, Basshunter, Elvis Presley and The Carpenters.

Sources & credits