Originated in the United States and United Kingdom, pop has taken over the radio and social media, skyrocketing young artists and

constantly redefining its sound. From Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift, from The Beatles to Beyonce, pop can sound very different and still obtain its major popularity. So let’s start from the beginning.

According to the London Singing Institute, pop music is believed to have begun in the nineteenth century. Families and friends would gather in their homes to listen to others play the piano. As the need for sheet music grew, the concept of the music industry was developed, and soon enough various genres emerged. Once the phonograph was introduced in the early 1900s, people began listening to recorded live performances, which led to the start of physical sales of music. Next came “Beatlemania” in the 1960s, with John, Paul, George and Ringo introducing us to a completely new sound. Next were the early 70s, when the Beach Boys expanded on the Beatles and their album “Pet Sounds” earned #2 on The Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In the 1970s and 80s, funk

and disco were introduced. Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Earth, Wind, and Fire took over the radio. The world watched as child star Michael Jackson broke out of The Jackson 5 and brought forth an entirely new and signature sound. This era also watched pop-rock evolve with the help of Elton John. The sound of pop evolved constantly with the use of synthesizers and digital instruments. In fact, the popularity of rock happened to coincide with the lack of diversity within the pop music genre, which may have been of assistance as pop rose through the charts. Then came the infamous 2000s. In came Britney Spears, boy bands, and the Spice Girls. Pop star Taylor Swift rose out of the country music industry and overtook the pop genre in 2014 with her album 1989. Beyonce left Destiny’s child and took off with her debut album “Dangerously In Love”. The pop music genre has evolved its sound and artist platform through social media as well. Many young stars have emerged through apps such as Tik Tok, like Olivia Rodrigo did with her 2021 hit Drivers License. Pop music is a thrilling and constantly adapting sound, and you never know what will come out of it next.