In the early 2000s, pop music was heavily influenced by several sounds, including hip hop, R&B, and electronic dance music (EDM). These genres had a significant impact on the production, composition, and aesthetic of pop music, leading to the creation of a new sonic landscape that was characterized by heavy beats, electronic instrumentation, and polished production.
Hip hop, in particular, played a major role in shaping the sound of pop music in the 2000s. The genre’s focus on rhythmic beats and basslines, as well as its use of samples, loops, and other electronic production techniques, helped to define the sound of many pop songs during this period. The influence of hip hop could be heard in the work of artists such as Outkast, Eminem, and Missy Elliott, who combined elements of hip hop with pop, R&B, and other styles to create a unique and innovative sound.
R&B also had a significant impact on pop music during the 2000s, as many pop artists adopted the genre’s smooth, soulful sound and lush production style. Artists such as Usher, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey helped to popularize R&B-influenced pop, producing some of the decade’s biggest hits and defining the sound of the era.
In addition to hip hop and R&B, EDM played a significant role in shaping the sound of pop music in the 2000s. The genre, which was characterized by electronic instrumentation and heavily processed production, was popularized by artists such as Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and Underworld. These artists helped to bring electronic dance music into the mainstream, influencing the sound of many pop songs and contributing to the popularity of electronic music in the pop world.
Overall, the influence of hip hop, R&B, and EDM helped to create a new and distinctive sound in pop music during the 2000s. This period saw the emergence of a new generation of pop artists who were influenced by these genres and who used electronic production techniques to create a sound that was both innovative and accessible. As a result, pop music in the 2000s was characterized by a unique and diverse sonic landscape that was shaped by these sounds and that continues to influence pop music to this day.
Sources:
- “The History of Pop Music.” BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2QbVz4mKX9VkL9yyfvxGxSZ/the-history-of-pop-music.
- “Pop Music.” Oxford Music Online, Oxford University Press, 2001, www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000003236.
- “The History of Electronic Dance Music.” DJ TechTools, www.djtechtools.com/2015/05/07/the-history-of-electronic-dance-music/.
