Genres and Styles
Popular artists who play(ed) this style of music include Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Ariana Grande.
What is Pop?
This original member of NWA found further success as a solo artist, but achieved staggering wealth when he started working for Apple.
Who is Dr. Dre?
Play song #1
What is "What Makes You Beautiful"
This musical symbol is often confused by non-music makers as a hashtag.
What is a sharp?
This legendary Memphis singer is known as the "King of Rock and Roll"
Who is Elvis Presley?
Popularized by artists like Skrillex and influenced by earlier Techno and House styles, it is what EDM stands for.
What is Electronic Dance Music?
This was the first hit rap record, recorded in 1979 by The Sugarhill Gang.
What is Rapper's Delight?
Play song #2
What is "Hypnotize"?
These ancient counting symbols are used to represent chords within the same key.
What are Roman Numerals?
"The Godfather of Soul" is best known for his flamboyant stage act singing songs like "Papa's got a Brand New Bag" and "Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud!"
Who is James Brown?
This "colorful" style originated with freed slaves in towns like New Orleans, Memphis, and Kansas City and provided the foundation for generations of new music throughout the last century.
What is the Blues?
This member of Hip Hop's "Holy Trinity" is credited with innovating the use of records and record players as instruments, paving the way for all DJs to come.
Who is Grandmaster Flash?
Play song #3
What is "Let's Get It On"?
When someone says they like the "beat" of a song, they are probably really talking about this musical element.
What is rhythm?
Known at birth as Stefani Germanotta, she dropped out of NYU to pursue her "Fame", and her provocative style gained her an army of fans as well as scorn from haters, and is now up for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Who is Lady Gaga?
On August 11th, 1973, a party in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx was afterwards considered the birthplace of this now dominant musical style.
What is Hip-Hop?
This Queens native and brother of Reverend Run is one of the two founders of the first big Hip Hop record label, Def Jam.
Who is Russell Simmons?
Play song #4
What is "I Want You Back"?
The notes C, D, E, F, and G make up this popular scale in the key of C major.
What is the pentatonic scale?
Peter Hernandez was born in Hawaii and rose to become one of the biggest stars in pop, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson and working with mega producers like Mark Ronson. We know him better by this nickname he was given because of his resemblance to a legendary wrestler.
Who is Bruno Mars?
While it is a completely different style of music, it is still what R&B stands for.
What is Rhythm and Blues?
This modern day master was the first non-classical musician to win a Pulitzer Prize when his album took the award in 2018.
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
Play song #5
What is "Johnny B. Goode"?
John Coltrane explored and exploited this musical phenomenon to create one of the most difficult and legendary jazz tunes of all time, which can also be found in popular songs like "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
What is the Circle of Fifths?
This rapper taken too soon was also known by his birth name of Christopher Wallace.
Who is Notorious B.I.G.?