Most listened to musical genres: know the 20 most popular types of music in the world

Music has been a part of our lives, since the beginning of humanity. Like everything, there are different most listened to musical genres that adapt to the tastes of each person. Therefore, talking about popularity is a controversial and even controversial issue because there are no specific statistics or numbers on what is the most listened to music genre or what are the most popular music genres.

Reggaeton

Defining the best genres of music is impossible, but there is no doubt that reggaeton is one of the most important genres of music today.

It is one of the most popular genres of music in the urban environment, and its name derives from the word reggae, which is another genre. This style of music combines different genres, such as hip hop and Latin music. Currently, it is one of the most popular musical genres and has managed to climb above all, since it became popular in 2000.

Main Reggaeton Artists

Puerto Rican Daddy Yankee is the artist who managed to internationalize this musical genre, along with other colleagues, such as Don Omar. However, the term reggaeton was coined by Daddy Yankee, he used it for the first time in a song with Dj Playero in 1994.

Vico C, is another of the pioneering artists of this musical genre, using references such as rap or hip hop for his songs. Even reggaeton is considered the Spanish version of these American musical genres.

There are many examples of musical genres, in reggaeton over the years, the community has grown adding to the list great artists such as: Wisin y Yandel, Chyno y Nacho, Karol G, Ivy Queen, Maluma, JBalvin, among others .

Hip Hop

When you talk about Hip Hop, you mean talking about one of the genres with the longest history in the music industry. It is within the main styles of music that has evolved and has been able to adapt to the new generations.

This classification of music is popular in the United States and was developed by African Americans and Latinos. It originated in New York, specifically in the streets of the Bronx, where it has been heard since 1970. The rhythm of this music usually accompanies rap and over the years it became a culture, represented in graffiti, a dance style called break dance. . It has even set a trend in fashion.

Hip hop is among the examples of music with great popularity around the world and, although it came to light in the 70's, it was not until the 90's that it really expanded.

Main representatives of Hip Hop

Among the great exhibitors of this musical genre we can mention Run DMC, Tupac, Public Enemy, Snoop Dog, Jay Z, Eminem, among others.

Run DMC, can be considered as the pioneers in these genres of songs. Some consider this group so important and so influential in the music of this style that they assure that, without them, hip hop would not exist. Tupac, was and continues to be another great influencer of this genre, despite his death, he continues to be a great reference for new artists. Tupac is considered a legend for using music to raise awareness of the difficulties of living in poverty, growing up with racism and oppression.

Jay Z, is another artist that should be highlighted. He is considered one of the best rappers today, who has been succeeding with hip hop since the 90's. His musical technique is admired by the entire community, it is based on recording the track and letting himself go in the booth to improvise all the lyrics.

Pop

It is a genre that has existed since 1950, it is a musical genre that takes as reference elements of other rhythms and styles, such as Latin music, rock, dance and even folk. It is part of the types of modern music.

Something that characterizes Pop is the duration of the songs, they are generally short to medium length and are written with a basic structure of verse and chorus or chorus. Likewise, it has melodic themes, hooking rhythms and repeated choruses.

Major Pop Artists

It could be considered to be within the classification of the most important music genres in English of all time. Michael Jackson is among the artists who have given this genre the most boom, accompanied by Madonna, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Elthon John, Britney Spears and many others.

The list of great pop artists is so long that we could dedicate an entire article to this genre and this type of music classification.

Over the years it has evolved and has adapted to the new masses without losing its essence, still being present in the classification of most listened to musical genres. Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga are two of the great exponents of the genre today, along with Jennifer López and Beyonce.

Trap

Trap is considered more of a musical subgenre and has been around since the 90's. In addition, it is one of the new musical genres. Its origin occurs in the southern United States and, currently, its characteristics vary, depending on the artist who interprets it. Artists of American origin do not apply trap techniques in the same way as Latinos.

It is a genre that can be differentiated from the rest by the rhythm, being one of the types of popular music today, the electronic arrangements that it has, the use of auto-tune and the great influences of hip hop that it incorporates. A big difference between trap and traditional rap is that it can ignore the rhyme or the verses.

Main Trap Artists

In the mid-2000s the number of artists grew, becoming one of the most listened to genres of music and began to gain greater recognition. Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Rick Ross were among the first to release hits that were heard on all radio stations in the United States.

Cardi B is one of the most famous female exponents of this genre, she has managed to add thousands of followers, currently. While in the Latin Trap, De La Guetto and Arcángel, were among the first exponents. This style of music is criticized in its Latin version for the use of obscene vocabulary that incites sex, drug use and violence.

However, it is a musical genre that is in vogue, it can be considered one of the new musical genres, and it is listened to by the younger generations. Bad Bunny is one of the most recent exhibitors of the style, along with Anuel AA. Both have managed to take their music to different corners of the world, amassing a large number of loyal fans.

Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

Music today has changed a lot, different subgenres have been created and over the years it will continue to grow due to new technologies and new trends. This has happened before, and a good example of it is Electronic Dance Music (EDM).

In Spanish it translates to electronic dance music, or better known as electronic, dance, club music or dance music. This musical genre is the union of multiple genres, including house, techno, dance pop, among others.

It is a style that is oriented to dance and among its characteristics are synthetic sounds and that are pre-recorded in a studio. In addition, it has rhythms marked with catchy lyrics. Not everything is rhythm and sounds, voices or instrumental music are also included within the themes. In certain Latin countries it is known as changa.

Main representatives of Electronic Dance Music

Daft Punk is a French duo that achieved great popularity in the world, for spreading music of this musical genre. The duo is made up of DJs and producers Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. Their musical career continued until 2021, the year in which they announced their separation through a video on social networks.

Jazz

Among the different types of music there are, Jazz is one of the most listened to genres, with the longest history and which has been the basis for new styles, it is Jazz. It has been present in the lives of human beings since the 19th century and was born in the United States.

Jazz is very complex and although it is called a musical genre, it is more of a family that includes various genres with similar characteristics. Jazz can serve as the background at a family party, it can be danced and enjoyed in different ways. Another important dimension of Jazz is that it is characteristic of African-American culture, which is why it has been the victim of much criticism and rejection.

However, jazz has a long list of musical rhythms that were very popular in the United States, especially between the 1920s and 30s. In addition, it was recognized in Europe and Japan, from the 1950s onwards and It is currently heard all over the world.

Main Jazz Artists

Among the great exhibitors of this genre we have: Duke Ellington, a legend of the genre who is recognized for producing more than two thousand pieces of music. Ella Fitzgerald, one of the first women to play Jazz, known as The First Lady of Song.

Louis Armstrong, is another star of the genre, who managed to be internationally recognized and revolutionized the history of the genre.

Rhythm and Blues or R&B

R&B became known in the United States and is a genre of African-American music that has been heard since 1940. Its rhythm is influenced by jazz, blues and gospel. This musical genre is the basis of rock and roll.

In the 80's is when this musical genre began to collect and had an international reach. Whitney Houston is one of the greatest protagonists of this style, the soundtrack of the movie The Bodyguard is a great example of the impact of this music.

Main representatives of R&B

This style of music has had some changes, like all genres of music, however, all have been in favor of adapting to new audiences. Currently, it is known as contemporary R&B and has great performers such as Justin Timberlake, Cristina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Ariana Grande. They all represent contemporary R&B from the last few decades.

Country

It is a style of music that was born with the influence of other more popular musical genres. If you look up the history of country, you will find that it was created and spread in the United States, especially in the southern regions. By the 30's it began to become international and quickly caught on in many countries due to the folkloric elements it has.

Major Country Artists

It is a style that is associated with cowboys, cowboys, spiritual music and a wild lifestyle full of freedom or life in the country. The Cartes Family, were the first to record a complete album of this genre.

So many are the characteristics that this musical style has with life in the countryside, that by the 60's it was centered only in Nashville. There is even a Nashville sound, among the most listened to music genres. It was a movement that your pop influence and among the most important artists that elevated it were Jim Reeves, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton.

Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are other artists in the genre with a huge following today.

Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal was born in the mid-1960s, between the United Kingdom and the United States and is a fusion of hard rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock. This genre has unique characteristics that make it recognizable anywhere in the world.

The electric guitars, drums, bass and the use of amplifiers in the instruments are details that make this style unique. It is a heavy, intense genre with a great musical load.

Main representatives of Heavy Metal

Metallica is an American band that represents heavy metal very well. They have more than 40 years in the music market and add around 10 albums.

Since the band was created, they have made more than 120 million dollars for creating music and have been considered the four greats of thrash metal, a name given to the four most influential bands of this genre in the 80's . In addition, they belong to the Rock Hall of Fame and have a star on the Kerrang magazine walk of fame.

Classical Music

More than another of the musical genres, it is a musical current. And it is based on the liturgical music of Western Europe. This style of music is present in orchestras, operas. It is a genre that represents the cultured, academic and is present in the upper class of society.

Major Classical Music Artists

Beethoven and Antonio Vivaldi are recognized composers of this musical current and have been important influencers for the creation of new musical genres. It can be said that they are present in all genres in some way.

Mozart and Bach are two other exponents of classical music. The first is perhaps the best known in the entire history of classical music. Its compositions are currently used for the stimulation of babies, since they are in the womb.

Blues

Blues is one of the musical genres in English, which not only focuses on the vocal, but also the instrumental has an important meaning. It consists of using notes with a repetitive pattern that follows a twelve-bar structure.

It is another of the most popular musical genres, associated with African-American culture and has been present in American communities since the 20th century. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that he became a major influence on country music. Other important genres such as jazz, R&B, hip hop, among others, derive from this musical style.

Main representatives of Blues

Most of the great exponents of this genre are African-American. Each artist expresses melodies full of feeling and personality. B.B King, Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Buddy Guy are just some of the best-known blues singers.

Buddy Guy is considered a blues institution, in his beginnings he played with Muddy Waters and had a peculiar way of playing the guitar, in addition to his unmistakable voice. For more than 30 years he has been a huge star of the genre.

Salsa

There are different genres of music, each one has its time, its public and its moment of fame. For example, salsa is one of the musical genres to dance to, which represents the Caribbean, Latin America and invites everyone who listens to it to dance.

The origin of this style combines Cuban son, a bit of jazz, blues and Caribbean music. Puerto Rican artists and the Dominican Johnny Pacheco were the ones who consolidated and internationalized the genre in the sixties, then it spread to each Latin country. Salsa also has different subgenres, including hard salsa, romantic salsa, and timba.

Main representatives of salsa

A list of the most important exponents of salsa could not begin without mentioning Celia Cruz. She accompanied by Hector Lavoe, Andy Montañez, Joe Arroyo, Willie Colòn, Ruben Blades, Gilberto Santarosa, Oscar D'Leòn, among many others.

Celia Cruz, the queen of salsa, is an icon in this musical genre, the Cuban marked a before and after in salsa and opened the doors for many female artists to represent the genre.

La Guarachera de Cuba internationalized many of the tropical rhythms that are known today, such as the rumba, the guaguancó, the guaracha and the bolero, but salsa was the genre with which it shone all over the world.

Merengue

Merengue is another style of Caribbean music, with upbeat, upbeat rhythms. He is present at any Latino event and, generally, he is the breaker of any party. His roots are African and his lyrics often refer to love and romance. In the 50's, the migration of many Puerto Ricans made it one of the popular musical genres and artists such as Frank Cruz and Alberto Beltrán became known.

Main Merengue Artists

Wilfrido Vargas, Toño Rosario, Juan Luis Guerra, Olga Tañón are some of the best-known artists who spread merengue. Wilfrido Vargas and his orchestra were the first Dominican merengue ensemble to fill out the Altos de Chavón amphitheater, an achievement that only Frank Sinatra had achieved.

Olga Tañón is among the most recognized women in merengue, her music is known worldwide and she has been a great influencer of the musical genre.

Bachata

Bachata is one of the most popular dance music genres and styles in the world. It has its origin in the Dominican Republic and is considered a bolero with rhythm, which has influences from merengue and Cuban son. The lyrics speak of love and heartbreak and it is one of the current musical genres most present in Latin countries.

Main representatives of bachata

Drunk with love, is the first recorded song, which is considered bachata and was performed by the Dominican artist José Manuel Calderón in the sixties. Juan Luis Guerra was the one who gave it international projection in the early 90's.

Currently, Romeo Santos, former lead singer of the group Aventura, is one of the ambassadors of the genre. In the musical world he is known as The King of Bachata and he has taken the style to all parts of the world.

Disco

The musical genre Disco is a danceable style that derives from R&B and that mixes different genres such as soul and funk. This musical genre was very popular at parties in the seventies. When you wonder what musical style is, Disco can be a good example, since it is a danceable genre with particular characteristics.

Main representatives of disco

Some of the most characteristic performers of disco music have been: MFSB, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer and The Jackson 5.

Cumbia

Cumbia is a musical genre that comes from Colombia and has indigenous and African influences. Little by little, it has been internationalized and, currently, it is heard in various countries of the world, not only Latin American ones. If you do research on what genres of music exist, this is one of those characteristic folk genres of the world.

Main representatives of cumbia

Pacho Galán is one of the great exponents of this genre, known as “the king of merecumbé”. Like him, Luis Carlos Meyer, Carmen Rivero and his group, Matilde Días, Rigo Tovas, among others, have been artists who have left this genre on high.

Tango

Tango is a well-known musical genre in Argentina and Uruguay. She has a unique, sensual style with a characteristic dance style. Although it is heard internationally, it is not a genre with as many followers today.

Main tango artists

Carlos Gardel is one of the best known artists for singing tango, some even consider him the inventor of this musical genre. His songs narrated the drama of a person's daily life. Other big names in this genre are Ignacio Corsini, Hugo del Carril and Mercedes Simone.

House

This is a purely electronic genre. It originates from Chicago, in the United States and managed to become popular in the eighties, in the Afro-American and Latin discos of the moment.

Main House representatives

David Guetta, Daft Punk, deadmau5, Fatboy Slim and Basement Jaxx are among the most listened to House artists and groups.

Soul

Soul is a genre influenced by gospel, R&B, and pop. It has been heard since the 1960s and is well known for originating in African-American culture. The lyrics of the soul songs are directed at racial segregation and other campaigns of the anti-racial movement.

Main soul artists

Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, James Brown are several of the great exponents of soul, a musical genre that, as we said, owes a lot to culture African-American and is still well received today.

Rock

The rock genre is one of the most popular and important musical genres from the second half of the last century to the present, not only because of the artistic quality of its different representatives, but also because of the critical aspect of some of the songs and currents that it has generated throughout its historical trajectory. This critical aspect of the rock genre has allowed it to establish its own identity, distinguishable from musical genres such as pop, which has a more marked commercial orientation.

Main representatives of rock

There are and have been several soloists or groups that have stood out in the current of the rock genre. Some that can be mentioned are Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Deep Purple, The Doors, Nirvana, and Pink Floyd.

When we ask ourselves what are the types of music that exist or investigate the different most listened to musical genres, we will find a very large variety. If we study the types of music and their definition or what kind of music exists, we will discover that different types of musical genres and their characteristics have emerged in each era. There are various most popular music genres, music categories, each one has its style, some complement each other, others have their original sound. The truth is that they all make up the cultural landscape of our time.