Pop music

Pop music (a term that derives from "popular") is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the Western world during the 1950s and 1960s, deriving from rock and roll. The terms "popular music" and "pop music" are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular (and can include any style).

Pop music is eclectic, and often borrows elements from other styles such as urban, dance, rock, Latin, and country; nonetheless, there are core elements that define pop music. Identifying factors include generally short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure) as well as the common employment of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks.

Definitions

David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop music as "a body of music which is distinguishable from popular, jazz, and folk musics". According to Pete Seeger, pop music is "professional music which draws upon both folk music and fine arts music". Although pop music is seen as just the singles charts, it is not the sum of all chart music. The music charts contain songs from a variety of sources, including classical, jazz, rock, and novelty songs. Pop music, as a genre, is seen as existing and developing separately. Thus "pop music" may be used to describe a distinct genre, aimed at a youth market, often characterized as a softer alternative to rock and roll.

Pop music (disambiguation)

Pop music is a musical genre.

Pop music may also refer to:

See also

Pop Muzik

"Pop Muzik" is a 1979 hit song by M, a project by English musician Robin Scott.

Concept and chart performance

The song was initially recorded in R&B and funk styles before a friend of Scott suggested using synthesizers. He describes the genesis of "Pop Muzik" this way:

The single was released in the UK first, peaking at number two on 12 May 1979, unable to break Art Garfunkel's 6-week stint at number one with "Bright Eyes". In August of that same year, it was released in North America, where it eventually climbed all the way to number one in Canada on 27 October and in the US on 3 November.

Along with Scott, other musicians who played on the track were his brother Julian Scott (on bass), then unknown keyboardist Wally Badarou, Canadian synthesiser programmer John Lewis (who died of AIDS in 1985), Drummer Phil Gould (who later became one of the founding members of the group Level 42), Gary Barnacle and Brigit Novik, the backing vocalist, credited as "Brigit Vinchon" on the records and sleeves.

Afropop

Afropop, Afro pop, or Afro-pop may refer to:

Afro pop music

Afro pop music, also spelled Afropop music, is a genre of African popular music that originated in its contemporary form in Africa.

History

Miriam Makeba, one of the famous singers to emerge from the African continent is often credited with being instrumental to Afro pop music's rapid growth, particularly during the 1960s. Most of her songs revolved around the notions of freedom and equality. William Ruhlmann of AllMusic, while reviewing Makeba's debut eponymous album described her as a "black singer with an exotic, folk-based repertoire who could translate her music into a sophisticated club act." Her first major breakthrough in the United States came in 1967, when "Pata Pata" reached No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard charts. She has been identified as the Empress of African Song, Mama Africa and the Mother of Afropop.

See also

References