Genres
Music genres explained
59 genres -- their origins, defining sound, key artists, and the essential albums to start with.
Afrobeats
2000s--present
Alternative Rock
1980--present
Ambient
1978--present
Americana
1990s--present
Art Pop
1972--present
Bedroom Pop
2010--present
Blues
1890s--present
Bossa Nova
1958--present
Chamber Pop
1968--present
Classical
1600--present
Country
1920s--present
Darkwave
1980--present
Disco
1970--1980 (revival ongoing)
Dream Pop
1982--present
Drill
2010--present
Dub
1970--present
Electronic
1940s--present
Emo
1985--present
Folk
traditional--present
Funk
1965--present
Garage Rock
1963--present
Gospel
1900s--present
Grime
2002--present
Grunge
1987--1996
Hard Rock
1968--present
Hip-Hop
1970s--present
House
1982--present
Hyperpop
2013--present
Indie Electronic
2005--present
Indie Folk
2000--present
Indie Pop
1980--present
Indie Rock
1980--present
Jazz
1900s--present
Jazz Fusion
1969--present
K-Pop
1992--present
Krautrock
1968--1978
Latin
1900s--present
Lo-Fi
1970s--present
Math Rock
1988--present
Metal
1969--present
Neo-Soul
1994--present
New Wave
1977--1985
Noise Rock
1978--present
Pop
1950s--present
Pop Punk
1987--present
Post-Punk
1977--1985 (revival 2000s, 2020s)
Post-Rock
1991--present
Progressive Rock
1967--present
Psychedelic Rock
1965--present
Punk
1974--present
R&B
1940s--present
Reggae
1968--present
Shoegaze
1988--present
Singer-Songwriter
1960s--present
Soul
1950s--present
Synth-Pop
1978--present
Techno
1982--present
Trap
2003--present
Trip-Hop
1991--present