Genres of Music

What is hip-hop?

• a genre of music characterized by a strong, rhythmic beat and a rapping vocal track

• a type of popular music, originally by African-American artists, that can have features of other different genres

• music that is made with electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, computers, or other music technology

Which of the listed today’s genres you like the most?

Why are genre-specific festivals important for youth culture?

• 1. They create exclusive environments that limit diversity

• 1. They celebrate cultural diversity and foster connections among fans

• 1. They prioritize commercial interests over community engagement

Also known as western, this genre of music has its roots in the south of the USA. Having evolved from a combination of different fold styles. Combining the influence of working-class immigrants it takes its cues from Irish and Celtic folk, traditional English ballads and cowboy songs.

• pop

• country

• folk

• blues

With roots in rock, pop, heavy metal and punk, this genre of music has a specific goal in that it is designed to have a particularly emotive or emotional resonance. Characterized by expressive melodic musicianship and often confessional lyrics. It is often associated with a particular fashion style that is also influenced by metal and punk.

• rap

• emo

• jazz

• blues

It is a very traditional genre. It is orally passed down over time and often has no author. However, modern artists can still be labelled as artists with their original songs.

Storytelling is a key aspect of this music and whilst musical styles vary across the world, this is a consistent element.

• country

• folk

• hip hop

• classical

Now an extremely broad musical category, this genre evolved out of a cultural explosion in the United States. Featuring vinyl records mixed on turntables and incorporating the rap genre along with heavy bass-lines and samples, it has now become extremely significant in terms of music’s cultural influence in modern times.

• country

• metal

• hip hop

• jazz

Historically started in New Orleans in the early 1900s, this genre of music typifies musical flexibility not seen by many other genres. Featuring a mix of rhythms and tempos as well as a focus on soloing, it also has a huge range of potential instrumental structures and setups. It’s very common for there to be a drummer and a bass instrument as well as any number of lead instruments ranging from woodwind to stringed instruments.

• house

• jazz

• rap

• blues

Originating in Jamaica in the 1960s and taking the world by storm through the work of Bob Marley, this genre is a fusion of traditional Jamaican folk music with jazz and R&B.

Offbeat rhythms and staccato chords are common musical themes, and it is closely linked to Rastafarianism and Afrocentric religion.

• pop

• reggae

• folk

• rock

Arising from the evolution of the electric guitar and distorted amplification, this music genre is now home to hundreds of sub-genres. Popularized in both the UK and the United States by bands playing a 4/4 rhythm and singing verse-chorus songs, it has become part of music history. It is characterized by guitars and a heavy snare and kick drum rhythm.

• pop

• rock

• reggae

• jazz