It is hard to believe that in exactly two weeks, the 2010s will be behind us and we will be stepping into the 2020s. In terms of music, it has been quite an eventful decade, bringing lots of exemplary artists and songs we will  remember for years to come, as well as introducing us to many new trends due to the rise of technology and social networking in the past ten years. With a new era of music upon us, it is important to look back on the biggest artists, songs, albums, videos, performances, tours, and trends of the past decade.

  One very unique feature of music in the 2010s is that there is not one defining genre for the decade. While most genres of music have begun to expand in the past decade, hip hop has shown remarkable growth. By 2017, rap music had become the most popular genre in the United States due to the rise of influencers being able to release more music at a rapid pace via music streaming services. Some of the most popular rappers of the decade include artists like Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, ASAP Rocky, and 21 Savage among others. The decade has also popularized the use of intermixing a rap verse, as well as many other hip hop elements into mainstream pop songs. Another genre popularized in the 2010s was electronic dance music, as it became more mainstreamed early in the decade due to many DJs collaborating with established pop artists, resulting in popular songs such as Marshmello’s 2019 hit “One Thing Right” featuring country singer Kane Brown.

  Like previous decades, teen pop seems to have made a resurgence over the past ten years. Many of these artists who include Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, The Jonas Brothers, and Selena Gomez got their start starring on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows early in the decade and gained a fan base from there. On the other hand, other teen pop acts such as Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes got their start by uploading videos to social media sites and developing a large following. During this time, we also have seen a resurgence of boy bands, such as One Direction and Big Time Rush, and girl groups, such as Little Mix and Fifth Harmony, for the first time since the late 1990s. 

  Females dominated pop radio in the 2010s with artists such as Beyonce, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna topping the charts throughout the decade. Rihanna even holds the record for most #1 hits in the 2010s, earning nine #1’s since her 2010 hit “Rude Boy”. Unlike other decades, many chart-toppers have come from soundtracks to popular films including Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s 2018 hit “Shallow” from A Star is Born and Pharell’s 2014 hit “Happy” from Despicable Me 2. 

  The 2010s has certainly been quite the decade for music, with many artists and songs we will remember for years to come. Junior Lydia Schray says “I like ‘Senorita’ by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello because it’s really catchy and represents how in a relationship you don’t know if anything will last or if they’re even good for you, meaning you should stay away from them, but the feeling is so intense you keep chasing them and love them.” It may be a bit hard to believe right now, but one day we will all fondly reminisce about the good ole days while nostalgically singing along to our favorite 2010s hits.