Top 40 / Pop

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Pop Music Artists & Styles

By Bill Lamb, About.com Guide to Top 40 / Pop

Learn the basics of pop music today including the wide range of contemporary pop music styles and key artists that perform them. You'll find artist profiles, quizzes, discographies, tour schedules, and much more.

  1. Top 40 and Pop Music 101
  2. Interviews
  3. Top Songs By Your Favorite Pop Stars
  4. Artists in the Wings - Performers on Their Way Up
  5. Pop Concert Tours
  6. Michael Jackson
  7. Mainstream Pop
  8. Alternative Pop
  1. American Idol Stars
  2. Boy Bands
  3. British Pop
  4. Girl Groups
  5. Punk Pop
  6. Singer-Songwriter Pop
  7. Artist Quizzes

Top 40 and Pop Music 101

The basics on pop music before diving into specific genres and artists.

Interviews

Get a closer, more in-depth look at top pop performers and producers.

Top Songs By Your Favorite Pop Stars

Lists of the top songs by the biggest stars in the world of pop music.

Artists in the Wings - Performers on Their Way Up

Weekly feature to alert you to a promising recording act just beginning to catch fire.

Pop Concert Tours

Seeing your favorite pop star in concert can be an unforgettable experience. Check out details on current hot concert tours.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - 1983

One of the top pop artist of all time, Michael Jackson died unexpectedly June 25, 2009.

Mainstream Pop

The mainstream in pop music is constantly changing, but when the average music fan thinks of pop music, these are some of the top artists that come to mind.

Alternative Pop

Regina Spektor

Alternative is often used to describe music from the underground or released on independent record labels. It was also heavily influenced by the do-it-yourself attitude of the late 70's punk revolution.

American Idol Stars

Kelly Clarkson

Since the show's debut in 2002, American Idol has significantly impacted the pop music landscape in the US. A number of winners and contestants on the show have become major pop stars.

Boy Bands

Backstreet Boys

By definition a boy band is an all male vocal group that does not play instruments on their songs. Typically their music is glossy mainstream pop oriented to a young female audience.

British Pop

Sugababes

The United Kingdom and Ireland are home to some of the top pop artists on the planet. British Pop often has a slightly different feel and approach to its American counterpart.

Girl Groups

Pussycat Dolls

Girl groups first hit their stride in the early 60's, but a new wave of all-female vocal groups has struck again.

Punk Pop

Fall Out Boy

The roots are in the late 70's punk revolution, but this time around the music with a punk edge is commercially successful and highly melodic.

Singer-Songwriter Pop

Sara Bareilles in Concert - St. Louis, Missouri February 19, 2008

There is currently a rebirth in the popularity of solo singer-songwriters on the pop charts. The first major wave of singer-songwriters was spearheaded by artists like Carole King and James Taylor in the early 1970's. Today's top singer-songwriters perform pop that ranges from soulful, bluesy songs to sunnier, laidback tunes most often accompanied by either guitar or piano.

Artist Quizzes

Test your knowledge of your favorite artists with these quick quizzes.

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