In these uncertain times we find ourselves in today, people all over the world have resorted to millions of different things to help pass time in the pandemic. One common response you will often hear from someone is listening to music. Music has become a big part of everyone’s daily lives and something that everyone can turn to whatever their circumstances might be. 2020 was a great year for the music industry to release new albums, singles, mixtapes, and all other different forms of music. We have seen many artists make their name very well known in the industry, establishing a reputation and status that they want to be seen in. Rap or hip hop music has quickly become the most popular form of music that people listen to, but the industry as a whole has so much more to offer than just hip hop music.

Morgan Wallen

Country is another genre that is extremely popular in America. In the southern states, it is considered more popular than hip hop. There are so many different types of country artists, ranging from pop country singers to deep soul musicians. One of the most popular artists in country right now is Morgan Wallen. Wallen has recently released his album, Dangerous: The Double Album, on January 8, which has taken the number one country album in 62 countries around the world. It took two days to set records for the biggest first day and the biggest first week country album of all time on Apple Music. Fans have fallen in love with his new songs so much that it has taken his status in the music industry to a much higher level. Five of the newly released songs have made it to Billboard’s Hot 100, such as “Sand in my Boots”, “Wasted on You”, “Still Goin’ Down”, “Warning” and “865”. His recent surge on the charts has taken his status to a new level, and that can be thanked to his recent album and how good it is considered by country music fans.

Luke Combs

Another country artist that is soaring up the charts right now is a singer who is considered by many as the best in the industry right now, Luke Combs. If you ask country music fans who their current favorite artist is, a common answer that you will get is him. His songs are almost always hits that climb the charts fast. Perhaps none have risen up the charts faster than his most recent hit song “Forever After All”. This song was featured on the deluxe version of his album, What You See Is What You Get, which was released in 2019. The deluxe featured four other songs that are also very popular amongst his fan base. It has been on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks now, and has reached as high as number two on the chart. He has also gotten lots of awards over the year for his success in the industry, such as two Grammy Nominations, five CMA Awards, and two iHeart Radio music awards. The more music he releases, the higher he will get on the lost of the best country musicians of all time, and if he continues on the path he is currently on, he might rise faster than anyone thought.

Concerts/Experience

It may not be the most popular genre of music in the world, but it certainly is liked by a large number of people. There are styles for everyone’s liking within the genre, with lots of artists having different styles. Besides releasing albums, the best and most common way that singers get their name and their work out to the public is by holding concerts. Country music concerts have quite the rep, and for good reason. Often times the singers show their appreciation for their fans and have a good time doing so. If you ask any country music fan who has ever attended a concert if you should go to one, almost everyone would say yes. These concerts are unlike any other type of music because you can get a feel for the artist’s real voice and their true talent. It definitely is not the type of music that everyone will enjoy, but if you are ever looking for a different branch of music to explore, I highly recommend looking into country music and finding a style that you like to listen to. You may even like it more than you originally thought you would and even become a big fan.

Rock Music

A genre of music that often gets swept under the rug is metal. Now the metal genre can branch off into many different subgenres, like heavy metal, classic metal, and death metal. People often are scared away from metal due to the fast-paced guitar riffs and drums fills. The violence that metal is associated with, most of the time it is wrongfully done so, turns people away from the storied genre. But there are bands that can ease people into it. Now every metal fan doesn’t start with bands like Cannibal Corpse or Mayhem. It takes time to develop a taste for that kind of metal. People will tell you, “listen to the good kind of metal” but what exactly is the “good kind of metal”? Perhaps the most popular and world renowned metal band in the world is Metallica. Everyone’s parents probably grew up listening to these guys. They have been around since the 80’s with only a few lineup changes in their time. Songs like “Seek and Destroy” and “Master of Puppets” are excellent songs to jam out to. One of the more modern metal bands around right now is Slipknot. Forming in the late 90’s, the nine man group released their debut album back in 1999, and haven’t looked back since. They are still together to this day, also having lineup changes. Songs like “Wait and Bleed” and “Psychosocial” are two fan favorites. Their newest album, We Are Not Your Kind, was released back in 2019 and was one of the top albums of that year. So for the people who say that metal is a dead genre are dead wrong.