Over the past five years (2019–2024), American popular music has continued to evolve, with shifts in genre dominance, production trends, and cultural influences. Since 2021 specifically, several key developments have shaped the landscape. Here’s a breakdown of the major changes:
1. Hip-Hop & Rap Still Dominate, But With Shifts
- Continued Rap Dominance: Hip-hop/rap remains the most consumed genre in the U.S., but its sound has diversified.
- Drill Music’s Rise: Brooklyn drill (Pop Smoke) and Chicago drill (King Von) gained traction, with UK drill influencing U.S. artists.
- Melodic & Emo Rap Growth: Artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD (before his passing), and Trippie Redd kept emo-rap alive, while Yeat and others brought a more futuristic, synth-heavy rap style.
- Southern & Trap Resurgence: Artists like Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, and GloRilla kept Southern rap relevant, while Atlanta’s trap sound evolved with producers like Metro Boomin.
2. Pop Music Absorbs More Electronic & Hyperpop Influences
- Hyperpop’s Brief Boom: Charli XCX, 100 gecs, and Slayyyter pushed hyperpop into the mainstream around 2020–2022, though its peak hype faded slightly by 2024.
- Synthwave & Retro-Futurism: The Weeknd’s After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022) popularized ’80s-inspired synth-pop, while Dua Lipa and Kylie Minogue kept disco-infused pop alive.
- EDM & Dance Pop Revival: Songs like BTS’s “Butter” (2021), David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” (2022), and Peggy Gou’s “(It Goes Like) Nanana” (2023) brought dance music back to the charts.
3. R&B’s Evolution – More Alternative & Genre-Blending
- Alt-R&B & Psychedelic Soul: Artists like Steve Lacy (“Bad Habit,” 2022), SZA (SOS, 2022), and Brent Faiyaz blended R&B with rock, funk, and indie influences.
- Afrobeats & Global R&B Fusion: Wizkid, Tems, and Burna Boy influenced U.S. R&B, with Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind (2022) embracing Afro-house.
4. Rock’s Resurgence (Mostly Underground & Niche)
- Post-Punk Revival: Bands like Wet Leg, Turnstile, and IDLES gained critical acclaim, though rock still struggles for mainstream dominance.
- Emo & Pop-Punk Nostalgia: Machine Gun Kelly, Willow Smith, and Olivia Rodrigo (SOUR, 2021) brought pop-punk back briefly.
- Hardcore & Metalcore: Turnstile, Knocked Loose, and Sleep Token gained traction in heavier scenes.
5. Electronic & Industrial Influences Grow (But Not Dominant)
- Techno & Industrial Edges: Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE (2022) and Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind (2022) brought house and techno to pop audiences.
- Darkwave & Industrial Pop: Artists like Grimes, Yves Tumor, and Ashnikko incorporated industrial and cyberpunk aesthetics.
- Drum & Bass (DnB) Revival: Songs like TroyBoi’s “Do You?” (2022) and even Skrillex’s Quest for Fire (2023) had DnB elements.
6. Country Music’s Surprising Crossover Boom
- “Morgan Wallen Effect”: Despite controversy, Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous (2021) and One Thing at a Time (2023) broke streaming records.
- Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER (2024) challenged country’s racial boundaries, while Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers brought a raw, Americana edge.
7. TikTok’s Massive Influence on Music Trends
- Viral Challenges & Microtrends: Songs like Doja Cat’s “Say So” (2020), Lil Nas X’s “Montero” (2021), and Ice Spice’s “Munch (Feelin’ U)” (2022) blew up via TikTok.
- Speed-Up & Nightcore Versions: Slowed + reverb and sped-up tracks became a major trend (e.g., “Escapism.” by RAYE).
8. AI & The Future of Music
- AI-Generated Music: Deepfake vocals (e.g., “AI Drake” songs) sparked debates about copyright and creativity.
- Virtual Artists: FN Meka (controversial AI rapper) and hologram performances (e.g., ABBA Voyage) hinted at a tech-driven future.
Conclusion (2024 vs. 2019)
- Rap is still king, but it’s more fragmented (drill, melodic, trap).
- Electronic, hyperpop, and industrial sounds have influenced pop but aren’t dominant.
- Rock & alternative are bubbling but not topping charts like in the 2000s.
- TikTok dictates hits more than ever, leading to shorter, catchier songs.
- Genre-blending is the norm—Afrobeats, country-trap, and R&B-rock hybrids thrive.