pop music
genrespop MYOO-zik
Popular music characterised by catchy melodies, simple structures, and broad commercial appeal.
Pop music is defined more by its commercial intent and audience than by specific musical features, though it typically favours accessible melodies, verse-chorus structures, moderate length (3-4 minutes), and polished production. The term emerged in the 1950s to describe music aimed at a mass audience.
Pop has absorbed elements from virtually every genre: rock, R&B, hip-hop, electronic, Latin, and country. The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Taylor Swift represent different eras of pop dominance. The genre's commercial power is enormous — pop songs can reach billions of streams, and the global pop music industry generates tens of billions in revenue annually.