Genres are a main way artists can classify their tracks to help identify curators on Groover who will be more likely to offer them opportunities. With so many different and new types of genres emerging, it can be hard for artists and curators to know which genre maps to which music style. We've created this guide to help you by sharing a brief description and examples of artists for each genre we have on Groover.
We have over 100 sub-genres on Groover to represent the diversity of music sent on the platform and help you find the best curators & pros for you.
💡 Scroll through this list or Command/Control + F to search for a genre.
Classical/Instrumental
Classical music
Traditional music genre featuring orchestral, chamber and solo works by composers.
Artists: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach.
Film music
Music composed for movies and TV shows, often featuring large orchestras and memorable themes.
Artists: John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone.
Instrumental
Music without vocals, often featuring solo or ensemble performances.
Artists: Yanni, Lindsey Stirling, Kenny G.
Neoclassical
Contemporary classical music featuring modern elements and influences from other genres.
Artists: Max Richter, Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm.
Solo Piano
Piano music played without accompaniment, often featuring classical or jazz styles.
Artists: Ludovico Einaudi, Yiruma, George Winston.
Electronic
Acid house
Electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive 303 bassline and drum machine rhythms.
Artists: Aphex Twin, DJ Pierre, Phuture.
Ambient
Atmospheric music often featuring natural sounds, electronic textures, and a sense of tranquility.
Artists: Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Steve Roach.
Bass music
Genre of electronic dance music characterized by heavy bass and sub-bass frequencies.
Artists: Bassnectar, Skrillex, Zeds Dead.
Beats
Instrumental hip-hop featuring loops, samples, and beats with minimal or no vocals.
Artists: Flying Lotus, Jinsang.
Chill out
Laid-back electronic music featuring downtempo beats and soothing melodies.
80—120 BPM
Artists: Tycho, Zero 7, Thievery Corporation.
Dance music
High-energy music designed for dancing and featuring various sub-genres such as house, techno, and disco.
120—130 BPM
Artists: Avicii, Calvin Harris, David Guetta.
Deep house
Sub-genre of house music featuring soulful vocals, smooth basslines, and jazzy elements.
110—125 BPM
Artists: Kerri Chandler, Larry Heard, Moodymann.
Disco
Upbeat and danceable genre, featuring funk-inspired grooves, orchestral arrangements, and soulful vocals.
Around 120 BPM
Artists: Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Chic.
Drum and Bass
Fast-paced and energetic, characterized by intricate breakbeats and heavy basslines.
160—180 BPM
Artists: Roni Size, Goldie, Andy C.
Dubstep
A sub-genre of electronic music featuring heavy bass-drops and aggressive rhythms.
Around 140 BPM
Artists: Skrillex, Benga, Rusko.
Electro Swing
A fusion of vintage swing music and modern electronic beats.
Artists: Caravan Palace, Parov Stelar, Swingrowers.
Electronica
A genre of electronic music with an emphasis on experimentation and sound design.
110—120 BPM
Artists: Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, The Chemical Brothers.
Experimental Electronic
A genre that pushes the boundaries of electronic music, often featuring unconventional sounds and structures.
Artists: Autechre, FKA Twigs, Oneohtrix Point Never.
French House
A sub-genre of house music with disco and funk influences.
110—130 BPM
Artists: Daft Punk, Justice, Cassius.
Funky / Jackin House:
Upbeat and groove-centric, characterized by catchy basslines, vocal snippets, and disco influences.
120-130 BPM
Artists: Mark Farina, Joey Negro, Dimitri from Paris
Future House
A genre of house music characterized by heavy basslines and futuristic sounds.
120—130 BPM
Artists: Tchami, Oliver Heldens, Don Diablo.
Hard Dance / Hardcore / Hardstyle
High-energy electronic music with a focus on intense beats and aggressive sound design.
130—160 BPM
Artists: Showtek, Headhunterz, Angerfist
Hard Techno
Relentless and pounding subgenre of techno / electronic dance music characterized by aggressive beats and industrial soundscapes.
130-150 BPM
Artists: Chris Liebing, Paula Temple, Adam Beyer
House Music
A genre of dance music characterized by a four-on-the-floor beat and often soulful vocals.
115—130 BPM
Artists: Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Marshall Jefferson.
Industrial Music
A genre that blends heavy metal, punk rock, and electronic music with a focus on harsh, abrasive sounds.
Artists: Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Skinny Puppy.
Minimal
A stripped-down, repetitive genre of electronic music with a focus on minimalistic sound design.
120—135 BPM
Artists: Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Monolake.
Nu-Disco
A modern take on disco, featuring electronic beats and funky basslines.
Artists: Breakbot, The Juan Maclean, Todd Terje.
Organic House / Downtempo
A fusion of earthly sounds and slow tempos, often integrating world instruments and ambient textures.
90-120 BPM
Artists: Be Svendsen, Nicola Cruz, Lee Burridge
Phonk
A subgenre of hip-hop with a lo-fi, vintage sound.
Autour de 170BPM
Artists: DJ Smokey, DJ Yung Vamp, DJ Akoza.
Progressive / Melodic House & Techno
A genre of house music characterized by lush and melodic soundscapes, and a focus on emotional content.
120—125 BPM
Artists: Eric Prydz, Lane 8, Yotto.
Psy-Trance
High-energy trance with layered melodies, pulsating basslines, and spiritual or psychedelic themes.
138-145 BPM
Artists: Infected Mushroom, Vini Vici, Astrix
Synthwave
A genre of electronic music inspired by 80s pop culture, featuring vintage synthesizers and retro-futuristic sounds.
80—140 BPM
Artists: Kavinsky, The Midnight, Mitch Murder.
Techno
A genre of electronic music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and minimalistic sound design.
120—150 BPM
Artists: Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin, Carl Craig.
Trance
A genre of electronic dance music characterized by melodic leads and uplifting themes.
125—150 BPM
Artists: Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk.
Trip Hop
A downtempo genre of electronic music characterized by atmospheric soundscapes and hip-hop-inspired beats.
70—100 BPM
Artists: Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky.
Folk/Acoustic
Country Americana
A genre of American music that blends elements of folk, blues, and country.
Artists: Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson.
Indie Folk
A genre of folk music characterized by lo-fi production and a DIY aesthetic.
Artists: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine.
Singer-Songwriter
Music characterized by personal, introspective lyrics and acoustic instrumentation.
Artists: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen.
Hip-Hop/Rap
Chill Lofi Hip Hop
Smooth and relaxing hip-hop sub-genre with nostalgic samples and lo-fi production.
Artists: J Dilla, Nujabes.
Cloud Rap / Hip Hop
Aerial and atmospheric hip-hop sub-genre with melodic beats and mumbled lyrics.
Artists: Lil B, Clams Casino, A$AP Rocky.
Drill
Aggressive and raw hip-hop sub-genre characterized by dark instrumentals and violent lyrics.
Artists: Chief Keef, Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign.
French Rap
French-language hip-hop featuring diverse sounds and often socially-conscious lyrics.
Artists: IAM, MC Solaar, Booba.
Grime
UK-originated hip-hop sub-genre with fast-paced flow, hard beats, and gritty lyrics.
Artists: Skepta, Wiley, Dizzee Rascal.
Hip-hop
Popular music genre featuring rap vocals over a beat, often with social commentary and storytelling.
Artists: Tupac, Nas, Kendrick Lamar.
Instrumental Hip Hop
Hip hop without vocals, focusing on beats, samples, and soundscapes.
Artists: Madlib, DJ Shadow, RJD2.
International Rap
Hip hop from around the world, featuring diverse sounds and cultural perspectives.
Artists: MC Jin (China), Emicida (Brazil), M.I.A. (Sri Lanka/UK).
Rap
Genre of popular music featuring a spoken or chanted rhythmically rhyming lyrics over a beat.
Artists: Jay-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne.
Trap
Southern hip-hop subgenre with heavy bass, 808 drums, and sparse melodies.
Artists: T.I., Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane.
Jazz
Experimental Jazz
Jazz music with unconventional structures, sounds, and instrumentation.
Artists: Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, John Zorn.
Jazz Fusion
Jazz subgenre that combines jazz with rock, funk, and other genres.
Artists: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report.
Modern Jazz
Jazz music that incorporates modern styles, techniques, and sounds.
Artists: Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Snarky Puppy.
Electronic Jazz / Nü Jazz
Fusion of jazz with electronic, ambient and soul music, incorporating elements like synths, drum machines, and effects, with a taste for experimentation.
Artists: St Germain, Nils Petter Molvær, Jazzanova.
Metal
Death/Thrash
Extreme metal sub-genre characterized by fast tempos, harsh vocals, and brutal lyrics.
Artists: Slayer, Kreator, Possessed.
Hardcore
Punk sub-genre with aggressive rhythms, shouted vocals, and political lyrics.
Artists: Black Flag, Minor Threat, Bad Brains.
Metal/Heavy metal
Heavy and aggressive music genre characterized by distorted guitars, complex rhythms, and loud vocals.
Artists: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath.
Melodic Metal
Metal subgenre with melodic vocals and harmonized guitar leads.
Artists: In Flames, Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy.
Noise
Experimental music genre with harsh, dissonant, and non-musical sounds.
Artists: Merzbow, Whitehouse, Lou Reed.
Pop
Afrobeat/Afropop
High-energy, danceable genre fusing West African rhythms and Western pop influences.
Artists: Fela Kuti, Burna Boy, Wizkid.
Commercial
Pop music intended for a large public and commercial success.
Artists: Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande.
Dance pop
Upbeat, energetic pop music with a focus on danceable beats and hooks.
Artists: Madonna, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa.
Dream pop
Atmospheric and aerial pop music with hazy, dreamlike soundscapes.
Artists: Beach House, Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star.
Electropop
Pop music with electronic instrumentation and production techniques.
Artists: Pet Shop Boys, Robyn, CHVRCHES.
Hyperpop
Fast-paced, experimental pop music with heavy electronic production and high-pitched vocals.
Artists: 100 Gecs, Charli XCX, SOPHIE.
Indie pop
Pop music produced independently of major record labels, often with lo-fi production values.
Artists: The Smiths, Passion Pit, HAIM.
International Pop
Pop music from non-English speaking countries.
Artists: Aya Nakamura (France/Mali), Maluma (Colombia), Rosalía (Spain).
K-pop/J-pop
Pop music from Korea and Japan, often with elaborate choreography and production.
Artists: BTS, BLACKPINK, AKB48.
Latin Pop
Pop music with Latin American influences, often featuring Spanish or Portuguese lyrics.
Artists: Shakira, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez.
Lo-fi/Bedroom Pop
DIY, low-fidelity pop music often produced in a bedroom or home studio.
Artists: Clairo, Gus Dapperton, Beabadoobee.
Pop Rock
Pop music with rock influences, often featuring guitar-driven hooks and anthemic choruses.
Artists: Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne.
Pop Soul
Pop music with elements of soul, often featuring emotive vocals and gospel-influenced harmonies.
Artists: Adele, Amy Winehouse.
Progressive Pop
Pop music with complex arrangements, unconventional song structures, and progressive influences.
Artists: Kate Bush, Björk, Peter Gabriel.
Psychedelic Pop
Pop music with psychedelic influences, often featuring trippy lyrics and production.
Artists: MGMT, The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective.
Synthpop
Pop music with prominent use of synthesizers and electronic instrumentation.
Artists: Depeche Mode, New Order, The Human League.
Popular Music
Canzone italiana
Italian pop music featuring melodic vocals and romantic themes.
Artists: Mina, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini.
Variété française
French pop music featuring chanson and cabaret influences.
Artists: Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg.
German song
German pop music with diverse styles and themes.
Artists: Nena, Falco.
Holiday music
Music typically associated with the Christmas holiday season.
Artists: Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, Wham!
Nouvelle scène
French alternative pop music with introspective lyrics and innovative arrangements.
Artists: Dominique A, Miossec, Mathieu Boogaerts.
R&B/Soul
Funk
Groove-based genre characterized by syncopated rhythms, horn sections, and soulful vocals.
Artists: James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince.
R&B
Rhythm and blues music with soul, funk, and hip-hop influences.
Artists: Whitney Houston, Usher, Alicia Keys.
Soul
Emotive genre with gospel roots and powerful vocal performances.
Artists: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye.
Urban pop
Contemporary pop music infused with urban influences such as hip-hop, R&B, and electronic.
Artists: Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna.
Reggae
Dub
Jamaican music genre characterized by heavy basslines, reverb, and delay effects.
Artists: Lee "Scratch" Perry, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo.
Reggae
Jamaican music genre combining elements of mento, ska, and rocksteady.
Artists: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and The Maytals.
Rock/Punk
Alternative rock
Non-mainstream rock music that deviates from traditional genres.
Artists: Nirvana, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins.
Blues
Music genre rooted in African American history and culture, characterized by soulful vocals and expressive instrumentation.
Artists: B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson.
Coldwave
Post-punk music genre featuring dark, atmospheric soundscapes and icy electronic instrumentation.
Artists: The Cure, Bauhaus.
Electronic rock
A fusion of rock and electronic music, often featuring synths and drum machines.
Artists: Depeche Mode, The Prodigy, LCD Soundsystem.
Experimental rock
A genre that pushes the boundaries of traditional rock music, often incorporating unconventional sounds and structures.
Artists: Radiohead, Sonic Youth, The Velvet Underground.
Garage rock:
A raw and energetic style of rock music, typically featuring distorted guitars and simple chord progressions.
Artists: The Stooges, The White Stripes, The Sonics.
Hard rock
A heavier and more aggressive style of rock music, often featuring loud guitars, powerful vocals, and driving rhythms.
Artists: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses.
Indie rock
A broad term for independent rock music that often emphasizes creativity and originality.
Artists: Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend.
New wave
A genre that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by a blend of punk, electronic, and pop influences.
Artists: Blondie, Talking Heads, Devo.
Pop punk
A fast and catchy style of punk rock that often features melodic vocals and upbeat guitar riffs.
Artists: Green Day, The Offspring, Blink-182.
Post punk
A genre that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by a more experimental and artful approach to punk rock.
Artists: Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Gang of Four.
Post rock
A genre that emphasizes atmosphere and texture over traditional song structures and vocals.
Artists: Sigur Rós, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky.
Progressive rock
A genre that combines rock music with elements of classical music, jazz, and other styles, often featuring complex instrumentation and lengthy compositions.
Artists: Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes.
Psychedelic rock
A genre that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by a trippy, experimental sound often influenced by drugs and Eastern mysticism.
Artists: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Tame Impala.
Punk rock
A genre characterized by fast, aggressive music and lyrics that often critique society and politics.
Artists: The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash.
Rock & roll
A genre that emerged in the 1950s, characterized by a fusion of blues, country, and R&B influences.
Artists: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard.
Shoegaze
A genre characterized by dreamy, atmospheric music and heavily distorted guitars.
Artists: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride.
Surf rock
A genre characterized by upbeat, instrumental music with a beachy vibe.
Artists: The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, The Ventures.
World
African music
A diverse genre encompassing the music of the many cultures and regions of the African continent.
Artists: Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Youssou N'Dour.
Arabic music
A genre that encompasses the music of the Arab world, characterized by intricate melodies and rhythms.
Artists: Fairuz, Umm Kulthum, Amr Diab.
Asian music
A broad term encompassing the music of many cultures and regions of Asia, from traditional folk music to modern pop.
Artists: Ravi Shankar, BTS, A.R. Rahman.
Bossa Nova
A Brazilian genre characterized by its smooth, flowing melodies and understated rhythms. Artists: João Gilberto, Tom Jobim, and Stan Getz.
Brazilian Funk
A high-energy style of funk music that originated in Brazil in the 1970s.
Artists: Tim Maia, Jorge Ben Jor, and Banda Black Rio.
Brazilian Music
An umbrella term for the diverse musical styles of Brazil, including samba, MPB, forró, and choro.
Artists: Elis Regina, Caetano Veloso, and Gilberto Gil.
Brazilian Sertanejo
A popular style of Brazilian country music that originated in the countryside of the state of São Paulo.
Artists: Chitãozinho & Xororó, Michel Teló, and Marília Mendonça.
Caribbean Music
A genre that encompasses a wide variety of styles from the Caribbean islands, including reggae, soca, calypso, and zouk.
Artists: Buju Banton, and Sizzla.
Christian Music
Music that has religious themes or is explicitly Christian in nature.
Artists: Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Hillsong Worship.
Dancehall/Reggaeton
A genre that originated in Jamaica and Puerto Rico, respectively, characterized by heavy beats and infectious rhythms.
Artists: Shabba Ranks, Daddy Yankee, and Bad Bunny.
Indie India
A sub-genre of indie rock that incorporates elements of Indian classical music and folk music.
Artists: Indian Ocean, Raghu Dixit Project, and Prateek Kuhad.
Latin Music
An umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of musical styles from Latin America, including salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton.
Artists: Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana, and Shakira.
Oriental Music
A term used to describe traditional music from East Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean music.
Artists: Yo-Yo Ma, Kitaro, and Seiji Ozawa.
Traditional Music
Folk music that is deeply rooted in a particular culture or region.
Artists: Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and The Chieftains.