The term J-pop, often written in all capital letters, is short for “Japanese popular music.” It became a major part of Japan’s music scene in the 1990s. In Japan, it is sometimes called “pops” (ポップス, poppusu). Modern J-pop has its beginnings in traditional Japanese music and global pop and rock music from the 1960s.
K-pop (Korean: 케이팝; RR: Keipap; short for “Korean popular music”) is a type of music that started in South Korea. This music style became popular in the 1990s as a way for young people to express themselves, influenced by Western music like dance, hip-hop, R&B, and rock. Today, K-pop is often linked to teen idol groups, such as girl groups and boy bands, who focus on looks and performances.
Cuarteto (Spanish: quartet), sometimes called cuartetazo, is a type of music that originated in Córdoba, Argentina. The cuarteto style began from Italian and Spanish dance groups. The name comes from the fact that early dance songs were played by four musicians: violin, piano, accordion, and bass.
Argentine tango is a type of music and dance that began in the late 1800s in the areas outside the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It usually follows a 4 or 4 beat pattern and includes two or three sections that repeat in patterns such as ABAB or ABCAC. The lyrics often express feelings of longing, sadness, and sorrow over lost love.
Andean music is a collection of musical styles from the Andes region in South America. The earliest songs and melodies come from areas where the Quechua people (originally from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile) and the Aymara people (originally from Bolivia) lived. These groups were part of the Inca Empire before Europeans arrived.
Son jarocho, also called “Veracruz Sound,” is a type of traditional music from Veracruz, a state in Mexico located along the Gulf of Mexico. This music style developed over the past 250 years in the coastal areas of southern Tamaulipas and Veracruz. The word “jarocho” is an informal term used to describe people or things from the port city of Veracruz.
Huapango is a type of Mexican music. The name probably comes from the Nahuatl word cuauhpanco, which means “on top of the wood,” referring to a wooden platform where dancers perform a style of dance called zapateado. Huapango is performed in different ways.
Duranguense is a type of regional Mexican music. It combines two styles called Technobanda and Tamborazo. From Tamborazo, the music uses a saxophone, trombone, and tambora.
Grupera, also called Grupero or Onda Grupera, is a type of regional Mexican music. It became most popular in the 1990s, especially in rural areas. Grupera music started from rock groups in the 1960s but has changed a lot over time.
A corrido is a type of song that tells a story in a rhythmic and poetic way. These songs often talk about topics like unfair treatment, history, the lives of criminals, the lifestyle of vaqueros, and other important social issues. Corridos became very popular during the Mexican Revolution and in the Southwestern American frontier.