Music in 2018: A Pop Perspective

As we head into 2018, it’s time to take a look at the pop music landscape and see what’s in store for the coming year. From new albums to watch out for to emerging artists to keep an eye on, here’s a pop perspective on what 2018 has in store for music lovers.

Introduction

It would be impossible to overstate the importance of pop music in 2018. The genre has continued to dominate the charts and streaming services, while also serving as a major source of conversation and controversy. From the #MeToo movement to the rise of political populism, pop music has been at the center of some of the year’s most important stories.

With that in mind, here are five things you need to know about pop music in 2018:

1. The #MeToo movement had a major impact on the genre

Pop music has long been criticized for its treatment of women, and the #MeToo movement has only amplified those concerns. In 2018, we saw a number of high-profile cases of sexual misconduct involving pop stars, including R. Kelly, XXXTentacion, and 6ix9ine. These stories dominated headlines and sparked important conversations about gender inequality in the music industry.

2. Political populism was a major theme

In 2018, we saw a resurgence of political populism around the world, and pop music was no exception. Artists like Janelle Monae and Kendrick Lamar used their platform to speak out against social injustice, while others like Taylor Swift and Kanye West found themselves at the center of political controversies.

3. Streaming continued to dominate

Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music continued to dominate the pop landscape in 2018, with subscriptions growing at an unprecedented rate. This trend had a major impact on how people consume music, as well as on the business side of the industry. According to some reports, streaming now accounts for more than 80% of all global music revenue.

4. Pop star feuds captured our attention

From Nicki Minaj and Cardi B to Drake and Pusha T, there was no shortage of Pop Star Feuds in 2018. These beefs often played out on social media and were fueled by gossipy tabloids, providing entertainment for fans and headaches for publicists alike.

5. Music festivals got bigger (and more expensive) than ever before

The Year in Pop

It was a strong year for pop music, with a number of artists releasing catchy, radio-friendly hits. But that’s not to say that 2018 was without its challenges; the industry was rocked by a number of scandals, and the year saw its fair share of tragedies. Here’s a look back at the year in pop.

The Rise of Latin Pop

2018 was a big year for Latin pop, with several artists breaking into the mainstream. One of the most successful was J Balvin, who had a number one hit with “Mi Gente” and collaborations with Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Justin Bieber. Bad Bunny also had a breakout year, with hits like “Mia” and “I Like It.” Daddy Yankee continued to be one of the biggest names in the genre, thanks to his hits “Dura” and “Con Calma.” And although she’s not strictly a Latin pop artist, Selena Gomez’s collaboration with J Balvin and DJ Snake, “Taki Taki,” was one of the biggest songs of the year.

The Return of the Boy Band

In 2018, boy bands made a comeback with the release of three new albums: “Love Yourself: Tear” by BTS, “DNA” by NCT 127, and “Face Yourself” by J-Hope. These albums brought boy band music to the forefront of the pop genre and reintroduced it to a new generation of fans.

The return of the boy band was met with mixed reactions. Some people were excited to see these groups back on the charts, while others felt that they were a juvenile throwback to a simpler time. Regardless of your opinion on boy bands, there’s no denying that they made a big splash in the music world this year.

The Dominance of Hip-Hop and R&B

Hip-hop and R&B were the most dominant genres in music this year, with several artists within each genre having breakout years. In hip-hop, Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” was one of the year’s biggest albums, while Drake’s “Scorpion” was one of the most streamed albums on Spotify. In R&B, Ella Mai’s “Ella Mai” and H.E.R.’s “H.E.R.” were both critical and commercial successes.

Other genres had notable moments as well. Country music saw a resurgence with acts like Kacey Musgraves and Kane Brown having breakthrough years. And within the world of pop music, Ariana Grande had one of the best years of any artist with her album “Sweetener” and her single “Thank U, Next” becoming instant hits.

The Year in Music Videos

2018 has been an interesting year for music, with a number of different genres and styles seeing a resurgence in popularity. One of the most popular genres of music this year has been pop, and a number of different artists have released music videos that have become viral hits. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular music videos of the year, and see what makes them so special.

The Visual Evolution of the Music Video

There has been a lot of discussion about the evolving role of the music video in recent years. While some people argue that the music video is no longer as important as it once was, others argue that it is still an essential part of the music industry.

One thing is for sure – the way that music videos are made and consumed has changed dramatically over the years. In this article, we take a look at the visual evolution of the music video, from early silent films to the modern day.

The Early Years: Silent Films and Experimental Videos
The earliest examples of music videos date back to the early days of film. In these early days, music videos were often used as a way to promote new silent films. One of the most famous examples is The Jazz Singer, which featured a young Al Jolson singing “Blue Skies” in front of a live audience.

During the same period, a number of experimental videos were created that explored the potential of using film as a medium for music. Some of these early experiments were quite avant-garde, such as Walter Ruttmann’s 1927 film Opus I, which featured a number of abstract shapes and patterns set to classical music.

The Golden Age: MTV and The Music Video Format
The modern era of music videos began in 1981 with the launch of MTV in America. MTV quickly became THE destination for young people who wanted to watch their favorite pop stars on TV. Madonna was one of the first major pop stars to embrace MTV, and her innovative and stylish videos helped to define what a music video could be.

During this period, a standard format for music videos began to emerge. Most videos were around 3-5 minutes long, and they generally featured the artist lip-syncing to their latest song while performing some kind of visually-stunning routine or story. This formula would go on to dominate MTV throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

The New Millennium: Internet Videos and Beyond
In 2000, everything changed with the launch of Napster – an online file sharing service that allowed users to download MP3 files for free. This led to a sharp decline in CD sales, which had a major impact on themusic industry as a whole. As CD sales declined, so did funding for big-budget music videos. This resulted in a new wave of more low-budget and experimental videos being made. These DIY-style videos were often released directly onto websites like YouTube, which further increased their reach.

Today, we are in what some people are calling “the post-music video era.” With streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music now dominating the landscape, there is less need for traditional promotional tools like music videos. That being said, there are still plenty of artists who see value in creating visually arresting and thought-provoking visuals to accompany their songs – even if they are not being played on MTV anymore!

The Year’s Most Memorable Videos

2018 was a big year for music, with artists across genres pushing the envelope creatively with their music videos. Here are some of the most memorable music videos from 2018:

– Kendrick Lamar’s “All the Stars”
– Childish Gambino’s “This is America”
– Ariana Grande’s “No Tears Left to Cry”
– Cardi B’s “I Like It”
– Janelle Monae’s “PYNK”
– Kim Petras’ “I Don’t Want It at All”
– Troye Sivan’s “My My My!”
– Years & Years’ “If You’re Over Me”
– Disclosure ft. Sam Smith’s “Latch”

The Year in Festivals

This was the year of the festival. From Coachella to Bonnaroo to Lollapalooza, it seemed like everyone was either going to a music festival or talking about one. Even small towns had their own festivals, with locals coming together to enjoy live music and good vibes. It was a year of peace and love, and the music reflected that.

The Growth of Music Festivals

In 2018, music festivals are more popular than ever. With the growth of social media, the rise of the independent artist, and the continuous evolution of technology, festivals have become a key player in the music industry.

Festivals provide a unique experience that allows fans to see their favorite artists in a live setting, while also discovering new music. They are also a great opportunity for artists to connect with their fans and build their brand.

This year, there are several festivals that are sure to be a hit with music lovers of all genres. Here are some of the most anticipated festivals of 2018:

Coachella:
The annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the most popular music festivals in the world. Held in Indio, California, Coachella features a wide range of musical genres, from rock and pop to hip hop and electronic dance music. With over 200 performances spread out over two weekends, Coachella is sure to have something for everyone.

Governors Ball:
Held on Randall’s Island in New York City, Governors Ball is another popular festival that features a diverse lineup of musicians. In addition to musical performances, Governors Ball also offers food from some of New York’s best restaurants, as well as art installations and other interactive experiences.

Bonnaroo:
One of the most iconic music festivals in the United States, Bonnaroo is held every year in Manchester, Tennessee. With over 100 musical acts performing on 10 different stages, Bonnaroo has something for every type of music fan. In addition to live music, Bonnaroo also offers comedy shows, movies screenings, and other immersive experiences.

The Year’s Most Memorable Festivals

2018 was a big year for festivals, with Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo leading the pack. But there were also many smaller, more intimate festivals that made their mark on the music scene. Here are some of the year’s most memorable festivals:

-The Governor’s Ball Music Festival took place in New York City in June and featured a lineup of pop, hip-hop, and rock performers. The festival was headlined by Jack White, The Strokes, Florence + The Machine, and Beck.
-The Firefly Music Festival took place in Dover, Delaware in July and featured a lineup of indie rock, hip-hop, and EDM performers. The festival was headlined by Arctic Monkeys, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and ODESZA.
-The Lollapalooza Music Festival took place in Chicago in August and featured a lineup of pop, rock, hip-hop, and EDM performers. The festival was headlined by Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Jack White, and Imagine Dragons.
-The Austin City Limits Music Festival took place in Austin in October and featured a lineup of country, rock, pop, and hip-hop performers. The festival was headlined by Paul McCartney

Conclusion

In 2018, the pop music landscape was dominated by a few megastars, with hits from Beyoncé, Drake, Cardi B, and Ariana Grande leading the way. But there were also plenty of other great pop songs released this year, by both established artists and newcomers. Here are some of our favorites.

So there you have it: our favorite pop songs of 2018. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!