Music has continued to evolve and remain as one of, if not the, most popular source of entertainment in the world. Stories can be told, emotions can be expressed, and identities can be found within many genres of music. I did a survey with a select group of 20 students at Robinson, found the most popular genres of music within that group and wrote a mini guide to each of the genres. This is for anyone looking to expand their music taste and knowledge. I will cover Hip-Hop/Rap, Pop, R&B, and Alternative. These are what many could consider the four most popular genres today.

Hip-Hop/Rap

Rap has become one of the most popular genres of music over the past decade. Rapper Drake was named Artist of the Decade by Billboard, and the genre continues its growth with chart-toppers on the rise like Lil Baby, Tyler, The Creator, and Lil Durk. When asking students at Robinson who their favorite rappers were, some said 23 Year Old Artist “Polo G”, who has used his voice to create a new style of melodic rap, while having many lyrical and conscious elements in his music referring to racial inequality, poverty, and trauma. Another artist that was recommended for anyone getting into rap is Travis Scott due to his euphoric production and hype factor. The final artist I will highlight is Kid Cudi due to his influence on rap and how he helped pioneer melodic rap, as well as him having a different sound. Overall, rap was created to give a place for African Americans to share their stories and express themselves artistically, and many artists are carrying on that legacy in 2023.

ESSENTIAL ARTISTS
Drake
Travis Scott
Lauryn Hill
Little Sims
Kid Cudi
Tyler. The Creator
Lil Wayne
Baby Keem
Kendrick Lamar
J. Cole (WRITER’S PICK)
Juice WRLD
Pop Smoke
Polo G
Playboi Carti

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
2014 Forest Hills Drive By J Cole
To Pimp A Butterfly By Kendrick Lamar (WRITER’S PICK)
Hall Of Fame by Polo G
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill By Lauryn Hill
Nothing Was The Same by Drake
ASTROWORLD by Travis Scott
Man On The Moon by Kid Cudi
Melodic Blue By Baby Keem
Whole Lotta Red by Playboi Carti

ESSENTIAL SONGS
No Role Modelz By J Cole
Alright By Kendrick Lamar
Rapstar By Polo G
Stan By Eminem
Runaway By Kanye West
SICKO MODE by Travis Scott, Drake, & Swae Lee
Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2 by Drake & JAY-Z
Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill
Family Ties by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar
Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst by Kendrick Lamar (WRITER’S PICK)

Pop

Pop is a short term for “popular music” and it is clear why many people still love this genre in 2023. Michael Jackson has been crowned the king of pop and has influenced many of the artists students listen to today. One artist who has had hits upon hits since he came into the music industry is Bruno Mars, who most recently expanded into R&B collaborating with soul artist Anderson Paak. Even though it’s unclear if he will go back to his pop roots, Bruno has been deemed this generation’s Michael Jackson by many due to his powerhouse of a voice. His competition for this generation’s superstar is fellow pop/R&B artist The Weeknd, who has become one of the biggest artists in the world with songs like “The Hills” and “Blinding Lights”. Another rising superstar in pop is former Nickelodeon actress, Ariana Grande who in recent years has showcased her vocal range with multiple billboard topping hits. Last but not least, there is Rihanna who has recently done more genre-bending, but has seen the most success of the past decade behind Drake, with her having 14 Billboard No. 1 hits over her career. Despite pop seeming “basic”, listeners can discover a lot of great albums, songs, and artists from the genre.

ESSENTIAL ARTISTS
The Weeknd
Bruno Mars
Justin Bieber
Rihanna
Ariana Grande
Adele
Taylor Swift
Billie Eilish
Harry Styles
Lizzo
Beyonce
Lil Nas X
Dua Lipa (WRITER’S PICK)
Olivia Rodrigo
Doja Cat

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
Trilogy by The Weeknd
Lemonade By Beyonce
21 by Adele
ANTI by Rihanna
Sweetener by Ariana Grande
Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa
1989 by Taylor Swift
24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Beerbongs and Bentleys by Post Malone
After Hours by The Weeknd
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Purple Rain by Prince
Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars (WRITER’S PICK)

ESSENTIAL SONGS
Hello by Adele
Work by Rihanna & Drake
Better Now by Post Malone
Thriller by Michael Jackson
thank u, next by Ariana Grande
Finesse by Bruno Mars (WRITER’S PICK)
Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa
All Night by Beyonce
Purple Rain by Prince
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd

R&B

R&B came up as one of the most popular genres in the 90’s and 2000’s and remains as one of the most listened-to today. Standing for rhythm and blues, R&B gives listeners a euphoric and smooth melodic sound. One artist who has helped progress R&B in recent years is Bryson Tiller, who helped merge the genres of trap and soul with his album “Trapsoul”. Another amazing artist is SZA, who recently released her hit album “S.O.S.”, including her hit song “Kill Bill”. Another R&B artist who has achieved major success is H.E.R, who has already received 25 Grammy nominations with 5 wins in her young career. Also, as mentioned earlier, Bruno Mars’ expansion into the R&B genre with his album “An Evening With Silk Sonic” with 8-time Grammy winning soul artist Anderson Paak, forming the group “Silk Sonic” The final artist I’m going to talk about is PARTYNXTDOOR, who is signed to Drake’s record label, October’s Very Own (OVO), has worked with Drake, Kanye West, Summer Walker and more. Modern R&B is a genre for the fans of the 808’s and drums of rap but also for people who want a slower tempo in their music.

ESSENTIAL ARTISTS
SZA
Bryson Tiller
Drake
Summer Walker
PARTYNXTDOOR
Frank Ocean
Montell Fish (WRITER’S PICK)
H.E.R.
Ella Mai
Tems
Ne-Yo
GIVĒON
Teyana Taylor
D’Angelo
Usher
The Weeknd

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
Blonde by Frank Ocean
Trapsoul by Bryson Tiller (WRITER’S PICK)
Over It by Summer Walker
CTRL by SZA
S.O.S by SZA
For Broken Ears by Tems
I Used To Know Her by H.E.R.
Her Love Haunts Me Like A Ghost by Montell Fish
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
H.E.R by H.E.R.
K.T.S.E. by Teyana Taylor
Ella Mai by Ella Mai

ESSENTIAL SONGS
Kiss It Better by Rihanna
Heartbreak Anniversary by GIVĒON
Kill Bill by SZA
Hotel by Montell Fish
Exchange by Bryson Tiller
Love Galore by SZA & Travis Scott
The Hills by The Weeknd
Jungle by Drake (WRITER’S PICK)
Boo’d Up by Ella Mai
Trip by Ella Mai
Nights by Frank Ocean
Nike by Frank Ocean
Gonna Love Me by Teyana Taylor

Alternative

Alternative is a genre that can be confusing but is defined as containing musicians and producers that are away from the mainstream, radio-friendly radius of music. This genre usually consists of rock-inspired music but can take from many different genres. One band that is popular within the genre is Mother Mother, who are a British band. Another good artist who paves their own path is Tame Impala, who completely produces his own music and vocals. Last but not least, there is d4vd, who has recently found success via TikTok with his high pitched vocal style as well as his emotional performances. Alternative is not the most mainstream genre out there, but it’s definitely one of the most popular among teenagers.

ESSENTIAL ARTISTS
Tame Impala
Mother Mother
D4vd (WRITER’S PICK)
Nirvana
Paramore
M83
Ramones
Avril Lavigne
Lana Del Rey
Florence + the Machine
Arctic Monkeys

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
Riot! By Paramore
Currents by Tame Impala (WRITER’S PICK)
O My Heart by Mother Mother
Nevermind by Nirvana
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83
Let’s Start Here by Lil Yachty
Ramones By Ramones
Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
Let Go by Avril Lavigne

ESSENTIAL SONGS
Misery Business by Paramore
The Less I Know the Better by Tame Impala (WRITER’S PICK)
Hayloft by Mother Mother
Here With Me by D4vd
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Midnight City by M83
The BLACK seminole by Lil Yachty
Blitzkrieg Bop by Ramones
Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne
Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey

Overall music is a great way to relate to artists, have conversations with friends, and give you good energy. These four genres have helped many at Robinson get through the school day and their daily lives. Of course there are hundreds of more genres and subgenres, but this was a mini-guide for anyone interested in getting into new genres and expanding their music taste.