The Codes and Conventions Of Music Genres

Rap

Rap artist, 2 Chainz

"Rap" is a relatively new genre of music, and is incredibly popular amongst younger music consumers. Rap artists will usually perform solo, often 'rapping' about an issue or experience that a younger audience will relate to, or even aspire to. In many Rap music videos, we often find a mise-en-scene of material wealth, pool parties, private clubs and sexualized women. It is because of the latter that the target audience of rap artists are often male audiences, though the genre is still popular amongst female audiences-- female rap artists such as Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea are leading the way in this regard, though they still in some part conform to the commonly associated sexualized image of women in the rap genre.

R&B

R&B (Rhythm and Blues) has shifted in its meaning over the course of its existence as a genre of music. In R&B's early stages, the genre was considered to be comprised primarily of African-American artists, who were increasing in popularity alongside the rise of 'Jazz' and 'Rocking' music during the 1940's to 1960's. Today, R&B still carries the association that the genre generally features black artists, such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.







Rock

Rock is an expansive genre, exploding outwards from roots held in 1940's music culture. Here are some examples of Rock Sub-genres:

A performance on stage by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

*Glam Rock *Gothic Rock *Grunge Rock *Hard Rock *Indie Rock *Heavy Metal *Emo

And many more! Rock is considered to have origins in the 1940's United States "Rock and Roll" music scene, supposedly influenced by "rhythm and blues" and country music. The most commonly used instruments of modern Rock are the electric guitar, electric bass guitar and drums.





Pop

Said to have origins in 1950's America, 'Pop' can be described most simply as 'popular music' - that is, the genre of Pop is highly accessible to audiences ranging from middle-age to the majority of young people. Often in Pop, repetition of a clear chorus is essential in allowing for a vast audience to immediately recognize and absorb the lyrics of the song; it's how the song spreads to its listeners. (A catchy song is a successful song!)

The CD album front cover to Katy Perry's "One of the Boys" album.  Released 2008.

Figures such as Michael Jackson and Madonna are considered some of Pop's most renown artists, with flavors of Pop, such as 'Bubblegum Pop', being introduced by artists such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in the 1990's.