20 music genres with origin, era, key characteristics, and notable artists. Free to use, no attribution required — copy it, download it, or open it directly in the JSON Formatter. Runs entirely in your browser.
[
{
"genre": "Blues",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "Late 19th century",
"characteristics": [
"12-bar form",
"call and response",
"bent notes",
"improvisation"
],
"artists": [
"B.B. King",
"Robert Johnson",
"Muddy Waters"
]
},
{
"genre": "Jazz",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "Early 20th century",
"characteristics": [
"syncopation",
"improvisation",
"swing",
"complex harmony"
],
"artists": [
"Miles Davis",
"John Coltrane",
"Louis Armstrong"
]
},
{
"genre": "Rock",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1950s",
"characteristics": [
"electric guitar",
"heavy rhythm",
"strong backbeat"
],
"artists": [
"The Beatles",
"Led Zeppelin",
"Rolling Stones"
]
},
{
"genre": "Pop",
"origin": "USA/UK",
"era": "1950s",
"characteristics": [
"catchy melody",
"verse-chorus structure",
"wide appeal"
],
"artists": [
"Michael Jackson",
"Madonna",
"Taylor Swift"
]
},
{
"genre": "Hip-Hop",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1970s",
"characteristics": [
"rapping",
"sampling",
"beatboxing",
"DJing"
],
"artists": [
"Kendrick Lamar",
"Jay-Z",
"Nas"
]
},
{
"genre": "Electronic",
"origin": "Europe/USA",
"era": "1970s",
"characteristics": [
"synthesizers",
"drum machines",
"sampling"
],
"artists": [
"Daft Punk",
"Kraftwerk",
"Aphex Twin"
]
},
{
"genre": "Classical",
"origin": "Europe",
"era": "11th century",
"characteristics": [
"orchestral instruments",
"formal structure",
"written composition"
],
"artists": [
"Beethoven",
"Mozart",
"Bach"
]
},
{
"genre": "Country",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1920s",
"characteristics": [
"storytelling",
"acoustic guitar",
"fiddle",
"twang"
],
"artists": [
"Johnny Cash",
"Dolly Parton",
"Willie Nelson"
]
},
{
"genre": "R&B",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1940s",
"characteristics": [
"soulful vocals",
"gospel influence",
"rhythm section"
],
"artists": [
"Aretha Franklin",
"Stevie Wonder",
"Beyoncé"
]
},
{
"genre": "Reggae",
"origin": "Jamaica",
"era": "1960s",
"characteristics": [
"offbeat rhythm",
"bass-heavy",
"social commentary"
],
"artists": [
"Bob Marley",
"Peter Tosh",
"Toots Hibbert"
]
},
{
"genre": "Soul",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1950s",
"characteristics": [
"gospel roots",
"emotional delivery",
"horn arrangements"
],
"artists": [
"Otis Redding",
"James Brown",
"Sam Cooke"
]
},
{
"genre": "Metal",
"origin": "UK/USA",
"era": "Late 1960s",
"characteristics": [
"distorted guitars",
"fast tempo",
"power chords",
"screaming vocals"
],
"artists": [
"Black Sabbath",
"Metallica",
"Iron Maiden"
]
},
{
"genre": "Punk",
"origin": "UK/USA",
"era": "Mid 1970s",
"characteristics": [
"fast tempo",
"DIY ethic",
"raw sound",
"anti-establishment"
],
"artists": [
"The Clash",
"Sex Pistols",
"Ramones"
]
},
{
"genre": "Folk",
"origin": "Worldwide",
"era": "Traditional",
"characteristics": [
"acoustic instruments",
"storytelling",
"cultural tradition"
],
"artists": [
"Bob Dylan",
"Joan Baez",
"Simon & Garfunkel"
]
},
{
"genre": "Latin",
"origin": "Latin America",
"era": "Early 20th century",
"characteristics": [
"percussion",
"dance rhythms",
"Spanish lyrics"
],
"artists": [
"Carlos Santana",
"Marc Anthony",
"Bad Bunny"
]
},
{
"genre": "Disco",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "1970s",
"characteristics": [
"four-on-the-floor beat",
"orchestral",
"danceable"
],
"artists": [
"Donna Summer",
"Bee Gees",
"Gloria Gaynor"
]
},
{
"genre": "Funk",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "Late 1960s",
"characteristics": [
"syncopated groove",
"strong bass",
"horn section"
],
"artists": [
"James Brown",
"Sly & the Family Stone",
"Parliament-Funkadelic"
]
},
{
"genre": "Alternative",
"origin": "USA/UK",
"era": "1980s",
"characteristics": [
"non-mainstream",
"experimental",
"varied influences"
],
"artists": [
"Radiohead",
"Nirvana",
"The Smiths"
]
},
{
"genre": "Indie",
"origin": "UK/USA",
"era": "1980s",
"characteristics": [
"independent labels",
"DIY",
"introspective lyrics"
],
"artists": [
"Arctic Monkeys",
"Arcade Fire",
"Vampire Weekend"
]
},
{
"genre": "Gospel",
"origin": "USA",
"era": "Early 20th century",
"characteristics": [
"religious themes",
"choral harmony",
"emotional delivery"
],
"artists": [
"Mahalia Jackson",
"Kirk Franklin",
"Yolanda Adams"
]
}
]