History – Genres
This is not an exhaustive list—this list is a work in progress, and we’re still updating it with more names.
| Year/Period | Genre | Country | Description | Impact on Music Culture | Songs & Artists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prehistoric (~40,000 BCE) | Primitive Music | Worldwide | Rhythms and melodies using natural materials like bones, stones, and voices. | Foundation of music, used for rituals, communication, and storytelling. | No surviving songs; explore modern recreations like “The Sound of Neanderthal Flute” by researchers. |
| ~500 BCE | Classical (Ancient) | Greece, India, China | Structured compositions like chants, ragas, and scales. | Basis for later structured music forms like symphonies, folk, and opera. | “Delphic Hymns” (Ancient Greece), “Vedic Chants” (India), “Guqin Melodies” (China). |
| Middle Ages (~500-1400) | Gregorian Chant | Europe | Monophonic, vocal religious music sung in Latin. | Influenced Western music theory and the evolution of harmony. | “Dies Irae” by Anonymous, “O Viridissima Virga” by Hildegard von Bingen, “Ave Maris Stella” by Anonymous. |
| 1600s | Baroque | Europe | Ornate classical music featuring complex harmonies and counterpoint. | Shaped modern music composition techniques; introduced opera and instrumental music. | “Toccata and Fugue” by J.S. Bach, “Spring” by Vivaldi, “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. |
| 1800s | Blues | USA | Originating from African-American communities; characterized by melancholic melodies and 12-bar form. | Foundation for jazz, rock, and popular music. | “Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson, “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters, “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King. |
| 1920s | Jazz | USA | Improvisational music blending blues, swing, and ragtime. | Revolutionized global music; led to genres like swing, bebop, and fusion. | “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, “So What” by Miles Davis. |
| 1930s-1940s | Swing | USA | Up-tempo jazz with big band arrangements for dancing. | Dominated dance halls; precursor to rock and roll. | “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman, “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck. |
| 1940s | Rhythm & Blues (R&B) | USA | Blues-influenced music with strong backbeats and emotional vocals. | Precursor to rock, soul, and modern pop music. | “Good Rockin’ Tonight” by Wynonie Harris, “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton, “Please Send Me Someone to Love” by Percy Mayfield. |
| 1950s | Rock & Roll | USA | Energetic music blending blues, R&B, and country. | Youth culture movement; paved the way for modern rock. | “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley, “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets. |
| 1960s | Psychedelic Rock | USA, UK | Experimented with sounds, effects, and lyrics inspired by counterculture and drug use. | Influenced progressive rock, electronic music, and festival culture. | “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix, “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles. |
| 1970s | Disco | USA | Dance music with a steady four-on-the-floor beat and orchestral elements. | Created modern dance culture and influenced electronic genres. | “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, “Le Freak” by Chic. |
| 1970s | Reggae | Jamaica | Rhythmic music emphasizing offbeats, often with socially conscious lyrics. | Globalized Jamaican culture; influenced hip-hop, dub, and pop. | “One Love” by Bob Marley, “Israelites” by Desmond Dekker, “Pressure Drop” by Toots & The Maytals. |
| 1980s | House | USA (Chicago) | Electronic dance music featuring repetitive beats and soulful melodies. | Laid the foundation for modern EDM and global club culture. | “Your Love” by Frankie Knuckles, “Move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson, “Can You Feel It” by Mr. Fingers. |
| 1980s | Techno | USA (Detroit) | Futuristic electronic music with mechanical, synthesized sounds. | Influenced global electronic music scenes, especially in Europe. | “Clear” by Cybotron, “Strings of Life” by Derrick May, “Good Life” by Inner City. |
| 1980s | Acid House | USA, UK | Subgenre of house music with squelchy sounds from the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. | Defined the UK rave scene; became a symbol of underground electronic culture. | “Acid Tracks” by Phuture, “Voodoo Ray” by A Guy Called Gerald, “Theme from S’Express” by S’Express. |
| 1980s | Hip House | USA | A fusion of house music and hip-hop, blending rap vocals with house beats. | Brought hip-hop into the club scene, influencing crossover hits and artists. | “Turn Up the Bass” by Tyree, “I’ll House You” by Jungle Brothers, “Yo Yo Get Funky” by Fast Eddie. |
| 1980s-1990s | Breakbeat | USA, UK | Electronic music built around sampled breakbeats from funk and hip-hop tracks. | Became a foundation for jungle, drum and bass, and big beat genres. | “Amen Brother” by The Winstons, “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A., “Apache” by Incredible Bongo Band. |
| 1990s | Jungle | UK | High-energy music combining fast breakbeats, basslines, and reggae/dub influences. | Key genre in the UK underground rave scene; precursor to drum and bass. | “Original Nuttah” by Shy FX, “Incredible” by M-Beat feat. General Levy, “Terrorist” by Ray Keith. |
| 1990s | Hardcore | UK, Netherlands | Fast-paced electronic music with distorted beats and aggressive energy. | Became a staple of underground raves and influenced gabber and happy hardcore genres. | “Injected with a Poison” by Praga Khan, “Hardcore Vibes” by Dune, “Rotterdam Terror Corps” by Rotterdam Terror Corps. |
| 1990s | Drum & Bass | UK | High-energy electronic music with fast breakbeats and deep basslines. | Revolutionised electronic music with high-speed breakbeats, deep basslines, and futuristic soundscapes, influencing countless genres worldwide. | “Even If” by Calibre, “Inner City Life” by Goldie, “Miles From Home” by Peshay. |
| 2000s | Dubstep | UK | Bass-heavy electronic music with wobbly basslines and syncopated rhythms. | Gained massive popularity; reshaped EDM with artists like Skrillex. | “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex, “Night” by Benga & Coki, “I Can’t Stop” by Flux Pavilion. |
| 2010s | Future Bass | USA, Australia | Melodic EDM with uplifting chords and bass-heavy drops. | Brought emotional elements into EDM; popularized by Flume and Marshmello. | “You & Me (Flume Remix)” by Disclosure, “Silence” by Marshmello feat. Khalid, “Say It” by Flume. |
| 2020s | Afro-House | South Africa | Rhythmic, soulful house music with African percussive elements. | Globalized African music traditions; became a major influence on festivals and clubs. | “Drive” by Black Coffee, “Osama” by Zakes Bantwini, “Ye” by Burna Boy. |
| 2020s | High-Tech Minimal | Germany | Minimal techno with melodic and futuristic elements. | Popularized by Boris Brejcha; gave techno a fresh, modern appeal. | “Purple Noise” by Boris Brejcha, “Gravity” by Boris Brejcha, “Lost Memory” by Boris Brejcha. |
This is not an exhaustive list—this list is a work in progress, and we’re still updating it with more names.