If you believe that pop music is “dead,” you are greatly mistaken. If anything, pop music
is flourishing.
As a huge music lover who grew up immersed in ’80s pop oldies, I can say that the genre has changed drastically, but that does not necessarily mean contemporary pop music is terrible.
Being mainstream shouldn’t negate the talent and hard work poured into each song.
When explaining my love for pop music, I always receive side eye and the same question: “But why?”
It’s as if these people have never heard of the mastermind Britney Spears.
Over the last decade, artists such as Lady Gaga, Kesha, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj have released hit after hit, making their way to the top of the charts.
August 24, 2010: Katy Perry released her album “Teenage Dream” and for years the album was played like a widely lauded new release. This was before the golden age of streaming services; so if you turned your radio on, you would for sure hear any of the songs on the album.
“Teenage Dream” won Perry awards worldwide, such as the Juno Award for International Album of the year in 2013.
Some would say that no pop artists after the year 2016 to now can come close to the decade of pop that just concluded. In the past, it seemed like the genre’s charm was something inexplicable.
Lady Gaga, for example brought weirdness and originality to her music and videos with the 2009 album “The Fame Monster.”
“Bad Romance” by Gaga was a theatrical piece that no one had ever heard before with perplexing choreography in the music video.
Of course, none of these new pop stars are breaking the mold now because it has already been done. The newer artists are bringing their own character into the pop industry.
There are amazing pop artists that should not be overlooked just because of music that has already been created. For one, Ariana Grande released the album “Sweetener” about being in love, engaged and moving on from her ex, Mac Miller.
After grieving Miller’s death and breaking up with ex-fiance Pete Davidson, Grande decided to release her emotions on the “Thank U, Next” album.
Within six months of “Sweetener” being a hit album and winning a Grammy, “Thank U, Next” was also recognized as one of her best albums.
Grande even headlined Coachella 2019 because of her success in her music career with pop music.
Another pop artist that performed at Coachella 2019 was Billie Eilish who has had a successful career. At the Grammy Awards this year she won a total of five Grammys at 18-years-old.
Lizzo, known for her confidence, created her image of self-love and having a bad bitch attitude, winning three Grammys herself.
Although she was on a smaller stage at Coachella 2019 her performance was still nothing short of jaw- dropping.
When hearing pop music is “dead,” it irks my nerves.
These artists are bringing great content that has changed the way pop music is viewed.
Much like how Gaga and Kesha, for example, brought their wild and out-of-the-ordinary personalities into music.
Music is always adapting and changing. Genres are not going to sound consistent forever.
Just think back to the ‘90s, The Backstreet Boys were running the pop game along with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the lovable Hanson. No artist has created a sound like them since.
Let the artists create their content and continue to make music that could change the music industry.
Music is allowed to change, if it stayed the same life would be boring and uninteresting. Pop music is alive and thriving whether people like it or not.
