One of my personal favorite things to do with music is search for songs or artists that I normally wouldn't stumble across. Sometimes, it can be fun to scroll through the Top 50 songs worldwide on Spotify and see what comes up. That's how I fell into a rabbit hole two years ago of discovering artists that hail from Sweden and have never looked back. There are so many talented artists presenting their own unique sound that are so much fun to discover and listen to. 56d1k

The 1990s were a time of shifting cultural ideologies and landscapes, as the music-consuming populace ditched the long-haired glam rock stars and electronic musicians of the 1980s for a darker, edgier, and harder sound. The Watts Riots in the wake of the Rodney King beating by the Los Angeles Police Department, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the Bill Clinton presidency and impeachment all played a part in the cultural tonal shift across America.

Although it is hard to believe, these tremendous pop-punk albums from 2010 will be turning 15 years old in 2025. Some of these records came from artists who were already firmly cemented in the genre, trying to keep up with the likes of the hit-making Green Day. Others were trying to build their careers and get off to a great start, just as other rock bands had with their iconic debuts. Regardless of whether they had been around for a while or not, they all came ready to produce hits.

Before the pop princesses of the 2020s, Rihanna was at the helm as the absolute queen of the early 2000s and 2010s. It seemed like every year from the time she released her first single in 2005, there was at least one Rihanna hit on the radio that had everyone singing along. Her music was key in defining the pop music of the 2010s. From her slow ballads, to her club hits, to her numerous collaborations which span genres and generations, Rihanna is a pop artist unlike any other.

Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet was heavily inspired by a famous 1970s music group. In 2024, during Carpenter's breakout year, the star drew a lot of comparisons to artists from older generations. Among them were people like Marilyn Monroe and country queen Dolly Parton. Carpenter has never been shy about the artists that inspire her and has become known for covering their music at her shows.

Many of the most important movements in music history got their start, primarily, in one city. Grunge, motown, thrash metal, and countless more, are all musical movements and subgenres that originated and grew within one specific American city. There are also some cities that may not be responsible for entire musical movements or subgenres, but that have been the original stomping grounds for an outstanding number of bands and artists, many of whom have written musical tributes to growing up there.

This Disney Channel star seems ready to take on the music industry again after almost a decade. Pop culture has been flooded with nostalgia in recent years, with various 2000s stars stepping back into the spotlight and 2000s shows and movies rebooting. It's no surprise some 2000s singers are ready to relaunch their music careers, too.

From the moment they burst onto the music scene, Paramore has been changing pop-punk for the better with a vast catalog of important songs. While bands such as the hit-making Blink-182 are seen as the legends of the genre, Paramore has now been around for over 20 years and is headed toward that distinction. Throughout their career, they have taken many different avenues, proving they have no problem going outside their comfort zone.

49 years ago, the rock band U2 came to fruition and took the rock world by storm. A group of teenagers in the middle of Dublin could never have conceived of the impact they would have when they ed forces in 1976 to form a band called "." They'd change music forever. Everyone has their favorite U2 songs, and some are immensely underrated, but everyone agrees their greatness is undeniable.

It may be challenging to be at every single one of these sought-after events across the globe, but these 10 music festivals would be a dream to attend as they encapsulate the many different forms of these celebrations. Some of these rely heavily on legends, such as the hit making Def Leppard. However, others try to aim to make an impact by featuring younger artists like Olivia Rodrigo, who made a major impression at Lollapalooza, Chile. There are also plenty that mix both.