How Electronic Dance Music is Taking Over the Billboard Charts

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

How Electronic Dance Music is Taking Over the Billboard Charts

With the popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) on the rise, it’s no surprise that the genre is starting to take over the Billboard charts. In fact, EDM is now one of the most popular genres of music in the US, and it’s only getting bigger.

If you’re a fan of EDM, then you’ll want to check out this blog post. We’ll take a look at

Introduction

In recent years, electronic dance music (EDM) has exploded in popularity, with legions of fans attending festivals and clubs around the world to see their favorite DJs perform. This rise in popularity has also been reflected on the Billboard charts, with EDM songs and albums routinely topping the charts.

So how did this happen? In a word: streaming. The proliferation of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music has allowed EDM to reach a wider audience than ever before, and the genre’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Below, we take a closer look at how EDM is taking over the Billboard charts.

When it comes to streaming, EDM is one of the most popular genres. According to Nielsen, EDM was the fourth most streamed genre in 2018, behind only pop, hip-hop/R&B, and rock. This is partly due to the fact that many EDM songs are designed to be played on repeat, with catchy hooks and accessible production that make them easy to listen to again and again.

This heavy streaming focus has paid off for EDM artists on the Billboard charts. In 2018, seventeen of the top 100 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 were by EDM artists, up from just two in 2013. This includes hits like “Closer” by The Chainsmokers, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran (which samples an Avicii song), and “Havana” by Camila Cabello (featuring Young Thug), which all spent time at number one on the chart.

EDM’s domination of the Hot 100 is even more pronounced on Spotify’s Global Top 50 chart, which ranks songs based on their worldwide streaming performance. In 2018, thirty-seven of the fifty songs on the chart were by EDM artists, including hits like “Sad!” by XXXTentacion, “In My Feelings” by Drake, and “God’s Plan” by Drake.

Similarly, electronic dance music albums have been consistently topping the Billboard 200 album chart in recent years. In 2018 alone, eight out of the top ten albums were by EDM artists, including The Greatest Showman soundtrack (which features several electronic-infused songs), Black Panther: The Album (featuring several hip-hop and R&B artists with significant electronic elements in their sound), and Scorpion by Drake (which includes several electronic-influenced tracks).

It’s clear that electronic dance music is currently enjoying a moment in the spotlight on the Billboard charts. Thanks to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, EDM is reaching a wider audience than ever before – and it doesn’t seem like its popularity will be slowing down any time soon.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM as it is commonly known, is a type of music that is composed using electronic instruments and software. It has its roots in the 1970s, when DJs and producers began using synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic music-making devices to create danceable beats. EDM has since grown into a massive global phenomenon, with subgenres like techno, house, trance, dubstep, and more.

In recent years, EDM has taken over the Billboard charts. In 2019, seven of the year’s top 10 songs were EDM tracks. This is a stark contrast from just a few years ago, when not a single EDM song cracked the top 10. So what’s behind this sudden surge in popularity?

There are a few factors at play. First and foremost, streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have made it easier than ever for people to discover and listen to new music. This has obviously been a big boon for up-and-coming artists in all genres, but it’s especially helpful for EDM producers who often release their music online before it gets radio play or mainstream attention.

Secondly, the sound of popular EDM has become more palatable to mainstream audiences in recent years. where early EDM was often characterized by harsh synthesizer sounds and frenetic beats, today’s hits are more likely to feature catchy melodies and polished production values. This shift can be attributed to the rise of “mainstream friendly” subgenres like future bass and tropical house.

Finally, celebrities and brands have been increasingly turning to EDM for soundtrack purposes. A prime example of this is the soundtrack for The Fast & The Furious franchise which has featured huge EDM hits like Skrillex’s “Bangarang” and Major Lazer’s “Lean On.” As Hollywood continues to embrace EDM culture, we can only expect the genre’s popularity to continue to rise.

The History of Electronic Dance Music

electronic dance music, or EDM as it’s now commonly known, first began to take shape in the early 1970s. One of the earliest pioneers was Giorgio Moroder, an Italian producer who created groundbreaking tracks like “I Feel Love” and “Love to Love You Baby.” But it wasn’t until the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that EDM really began to take off, with the help of techno pioneers like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson in Detroit, and trance icons like Paul Oakenfold and Sasha in the UK.

In the years since, EDM has continued to evolve and mutate, giving birth to subgenres like house, dubstep, drum & bass, and more. But one constant has remained: its popularity. Today, EDM is more popular than ever before – and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s only getting bigger.

In recent years, we’ve seen an influx of electronic music onto the Billboard charts. In 2013, Avicii became the first DJ to hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 with his smash hit “Wake Me Up!” The following year sawClean Bandit make history with their anthemic track “Rather Be (featuring Jess Glynne), which became the first song by a British group to top the Hot 100 in nearly 20 years.

And these are just two examples – there are plenty more where that came from. In 2015 alone, we saw hits like major hits like OMI’s “Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix),” Silentó’s “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” and David Guetta & Showtek’s “Bad (featuring Vassy).

The Popularity of Electronic Dance Music

In recent years, electronic dance music has seen a surge in popularity, culminating in its takeover of the Billboard charts. From its humble beginnings as a niche genre, electronic dance music has evolved into a mainstream force to be reckoned with. Here’s a look at how this takeover happened and what it means for the future of popular music.

It all started in the early 2010s with artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5 breaking through to the mainstream. These artists brought electronic dance music to a whole new audience, and the genre soon began to dominate the club scene. In 2012, electronic dance music finally broke into the Billboard charts with Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” which spent five weeks at #1.

Since then, electronic dance music has only continued to grow in popularity. In 2016, Calvin Harris became the first artist to have three songs concurrently in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. And last year, Marshmello became the first electronic dance music artist to headline at Lollapalooza.

This surge in popularity is due largely in part to streaming services like Spotify and SoundCloud, which have made it easier than ever for people to discover new artists and songs. Additionally, social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram have given electronic dance music artists a direct line to their fans, allowing them to build up devoted followings quickly.

Looking ahead, it’s safe to say that electronic dance music is here to stay. With more artists breaking through to the mainstream every year, it seems likely that we’ll see even more chart-topping hits from this genre in the years to come.

How Electronic Dance Music is Taking Over the Billboard Charts

How Electronic Dance Music is Taking Over the Billboard Charts

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. And now, it seems to be taking over the Billboard charts.

In 2014, three of the top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 were by EDM artists. In 2015, that number grew to five. And in 2016, it jumped to eight.

What’s responsible for this growth? There are a few factors.

First, EDM is more accessible than ever before. With the advent of streaming services like Spotify and SoundCloud, it’s easy for anyone to find and listen to music from anywhere in the world.

Second, EDM festivals have become more popular in recent years. These events usually feature a lineup of well-known DJs and attract huge crowds of people who are looking to party.

Third, many top pop artists have started collaborating with EDM producers and DJs. This has helped to bring EDM into the mainstream and exposed it to new audiences who might not have otherwise discovered it.

It’s clear that electronic dance music is here to stay. So if you’re not already familiar with it, now is the time to start listening!

Conclusion

The EDM sound has infiltrated every corner of the music industry, and shows no signs of slowing down. From the club to the radio to the Top 40 charts, electronic dance music is having a moment—and it’s not just a passing fad. This is a new musical era, where electronic dance music is becoming mainstream.

Similar Posts