Teen pop

Teen popis a subgenre ofpop musicthat is created, marketed and oriented towardspreteensandteenagers.Often, the artists themselves are teenagers during their breakout. While it can involve influences from a wide array of musical genres, it remains a subset ofcommercial pop,focusing on catchy melodies and marketability.Teen pop’s lyrics emphasize themes that teenagers can relate to, such as love, growing up, or partying.The image of the artist as an aspirational or desirable teenage figure is a crucial element of the genre, highlighting their visual appeal.

Teen pop
Stylistic origins	Pop bubblegum pop rock new wave disco funk hip hop techno synth-pop dance-pop R&B urban
Cultural origins	1980s to 1990s,United States,United Kingdom
Derivative forms	Europop
Fusion genres
Adult contemporary
Regional scenes
Orlando, FloridaLos Angeles, California
Other topics
Boy band Girl group Pop icon

Despite facing criticism for being perceived as inauthentic or overly commercial, teen pop has remained a defining genre in the music industry. Today, it continues to dominate commercial markets with artists such asOlivia RodrigoandTate McRae.The genre's popularity can be attributed to teenagers'disposable income,which they often devote to purchasingsingles,albums,andmerchandise.The impact of the teen pop genre extends beyond the music industry into culture, influencing fashion,language,andsocial trends.Teenage fans often develop aparasocialrelationship with their idols, believing that the artist cares about them and their fellow fans.The intense connection between teen pop artists and their young audiences has had a profound effect on the psychological nature of teenagers, shaping theirself-imageandcultural identity.

Characteristics

Structurally, teen pop may include influences from a variety of other genres, such asR&B,rock,electronic,orhip hop.Usually, it includes catchy repeated chorus lines,Auto-Tunedor pitch-corrected vocals, and upbeat melodies.

Appealing to adolescents, the lyrical content of teen pop usually involves themes teenagers can or aspire to relate to, such as young love, partying, high school social hierarchies, and often incorporatesexual innuendo.An element of visual appeal is integral to teen pop, with teen idols usually being an object of desire or aspiration to their fans, often by cultivating an image of being agirl/boy next door.Stylish fashion, popular hairstyles, and choreographed dance crazes are important commercial elements of teen pop.

According toAllMusic,teen pop "is essentially dance-pop, pop, and urban ballads" that are marketed to teens, and was conceived in its contemporary form during the late 1980s and 1990s, pointing out the late 1990s as "arguably the style's golden era."About's Bill Lamb described teen pop sound as "a simple, straightforward, ultra-catchy melody line [...] The songs may incorporate elements of other pop music genres, but usually they will never be mistaken for anything but mainstream pop. The music is designed for maximum focus on the performer and a direct appeal to listeners."

InCrazy About You: Reflections on the Meanings of Contemporary Teen Pop Music(2002), Phillip Vannini and Scott M. Myers write that teen pop songs "are targeted to youths presumably unaware and unconcerned with the problems of everyday society. Youths are symbolized as mainly in growing up while having a good time."Some authors deemed teen pop music as "more disposable, less intellectually challenging, more feminine, simpler and more commercially focused than other musical forms."InMusic Scenes: Local, Translocal and Virtual,author Melanie Lowe wrote that teen pop "is marked by a clash of presumed innocence and overt sexuality, a conflict that mirrors the physical and emotional turmoil of its primary target audience and vital fan base: early-adolescent middle-and upper middle-class suburban girls."

Background

Teen pop has a rich and evolving history that extends beyond its commercial success.Characterized by its simple, catchy melodies and mainstream appeal, teen pop has been a staple of theMusic industrysince the 1940s, with artists like teen idolFrank Sinatrapaving the way. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s and early 1990s that the genre experienced a significant resurgence, coinciding with the widespread use of the term "Teen Pop" to describe this particular style of music.

This revival came after a period of decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s when teen-oriented pop faded due to the rising popularity ofPunk rockandDisco.Disco becoming popular from the United States' citynightlifescene, and punk rock from its lyrics focus on themes of rebellion againstAuthorityand theEstablishment.Nevertheless, the early 2000s marked a peak in pop dominance, with teen pop becoming even more popular. Artists likeBritney Spearsbecame iconic figures, influencing not only music but alsofashion trends of the 2000s.

History

20th century

Teen-orientedpopular musichad become common by the end of theswing era,in the late 1940s, withFrank Sinatrabeing an earlyteen idol.However, it was the early 1960s that became known as the "golden age"for pop teen idols, who includedPaul Anka,Frankie Avalon,Fabian,LuluandRicky Nelson.During the 1970s, one of the most popular preteen and teen-oriented acts wasthe Osmonds,where family membersDonnyandMarieboth enjoyed individual success as well as success as a duo apart from the main family (Donny also recorded with his brothers as the Osmonds).

The first major wave of teen pop after the counter-culture of the 1960s and 1970s occurred in the mid to late 1980s, with artists such asMenudo,New Edition,the Jets,Debbie Gibson,Tiffany,Martika,New Kids on the BlockandKylie Minogue.In the early 1990s, teen pop dominated the charts untilgrungeandgangsta rapcrossed over into the mainstream in North America by late 1991. Teen pop remained popular in theUnited Kingdomwith theboy bandTake Thatduring this period, until the mid-1990s whenBritpopbecame the next major wave in the UK, eclipsing the style similar to how grunge did in North America.

Britney Spearsis credited for revitalizing the genre with her best-sellingdebutandsophomorestudio albums, earning her the title ofPrincess of Pop.

In 1996, Britishgirl groupSpice Girlsreleased their debut single "Wannabe",which made them major pop stars in the UK, as well as in the US the following year. In their wake, other teen pop groups and singers rose to prominence, includingHanson,theBackstreet Boys,*NSYNC,Robyn,All Saints,S Club 7,Five,B*Witched,andDestiny's Child.In 1999, the success of teenagedpopsingersBritney Spears,Christina Aguilera,Jessica Simpson,andMandy Mooremarked the development of whatAllMusicrefers to as the "popLolita"trend,sparking the short careers of upcoming pop singers such asWilla Ford,Brooke Allison,Samantha Mumba,Jamie-Lynn Sigler,Mikaila,Amanda,Nikki ClearyandKaci Battaglia. In 2001, artists likeAaron Carter,Swedish groupA-Teens,girl groups3LW,Play,Eden's CrushandDreamandboy bandsO-Town,B2KandDream Streetwere teen pop artists who achieved success. InLatin America,successful singers and bands appealing to tweens and teens wereSandy & Junior,RBDandRouge. According to Gayle Ward, the demise of this late 1990s teen pop was due to:

• promotional oversaturation of teen pop music in the early 2000s;
• the public's changing attitude toward it, deeming teen pop as inauthentic and corporately produced;
• the transition of the pre-teen and teenage fanbase of these teen pop artists during 1997–1999 to young adulthood (and the accompanying changes in musical interests);
• a growing young adult male base classifying the music, especially boy band music, as effeminate, and
• other musical genres began increasing in popularity.

1990s and early 2000s teen pop artists eventually entered hiatuses and semi-retirements (*NSYNC, Dream,Destiny's Child) or changed their musical style, including theBackstreet Boys,Britney Spears,Christina Aguilera,Jessica Simpson,Mandy Moore,3LWandAaron Carter.Many teen artists starting incorporating genres such aspop rock,contemporary R&Bandhip-hop.B2Kwere a hip hop/pop/R&B group consisting of four teenage black boys, and were considered a boy band, though they were only active from 2000 to 2004. Their style of music was very different from other teenage artists, sounding more mature than the typical boy band, though all members were in their mid-teenage years at the time.

21st century

Justin Bieberis credited for creating a renewed interest in the genre and in the maleteen idolwith his debut EPMy World.He is widely referred to as thePrince of Popand theKing of Teen Pop.

In the mid to late 2000s, teenage singers such asRihannaandChris Brownachieved success, indicating new relevance of teen-oriented pop music.

In 2005,AKB48was created to promote idol culture andJapanese popnationwide and overseas followed by the expansion ofsister groupsandrival groupslocally and internationally over the years. In 2016,SNH48,as AKB48's second international sister group, announced its local Chinese sister groups likeBEJ48,GNZ48,SHY48andCKG48to integrate idol culture with a Chinese twist.

The emergence of Canadian singerJustin Biebercreated a renewed interest in teen pop, especially of the traditional maleteen idol.With the release of his debut seven-track EPMy Worldon December 5, 2009, he became the first artist to have seven songs from a debut album chart on theBillboardHot 100.Since his debut, Bieber has played a key role in influencing modernpopular cultureand has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of thebest-selling artists of all time.

Finnish pop singerRobin Packalenperforming at the 2015Ilosaarirock FestivalinJoensuu, Finland

In 2010, the creation ofArk Music Factoryhelped contribute a new generation of teen pop artists via the Internet, such asRebecca BlackandJenna Rose,despite major criticism with these artists due to the excessive use of auto-tune. As for Japanese teen pop culture, the category of "idol"was playing an important role.Momoiro Clover Zis ranked as number one among female idol groups according to 2013–2017 surveys.

By the late 2010s,K-popartists such asBTSandBlackpink,attained international stardom in teen pop culture.Having sold over 4.7 million copies,Map of the Soul: 7by BTS is the all-timebest-selling album in South Korea.BTS is the first Asian and non-English-speaking act to be namedInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI)Global Recording Artist of the Year(2020).The group was featured onTime's international cover as "Next Generation Leaders" in 2018 and are recognised as the "Princes of Pop".

Other noteworthy artists includeTaylor Swift,an influential figure in contemporary teen pop music, emerged onto the scene as a teenage country artist in the mid-2000s and progressively transitioned to mainstream pop. She quickly became one of the most influential and highest-grossing artists of her generation with multiple Grammy Awards, best-selling album sales, and record-breaking hits. On top of her musical achievement, Taylor Swift also has an immensecultural impactas she has been a vocal advocate for artists’ rights within the music industry. By leveraging the power of her commercial success and undefiable fan support, Taylor Swift constructed a solid platform to denounce injustices regarding the value of creative labour in the digital age. She has been especially instrumental in the reform of policies concerning the fair compensation of artists on music streaming services. Taylor Swift is regarded as “not only a highly successful artist but as an emblematic figure whose very success validates the potential of old-industry structures to both challenge and adapt to the demands of a new economic environment.”Swift continues to push boundaries and redefine the pop landscape in monumental ways.

One Direction,a British-Irish boy band that formed on the UK version of ‘The X Factor’ in 2010 is the most profitable boy band of all time^.Composed of membersLiam Payne,Niall Horan,Louis Tomlinson,Harry Styles,andZayn Malik.The group swiftly rose to colossal stardom after its debut and eventually became synonymous with the global trend of teen pop culture in the early 2010s, a phenomenon deeply rooted in the age ofTwitter.One Direction’s fame ignited a fan frenzy among their predominantly female fan base to a magnitude such that it has been compared to the “Beatlemania” era of the 1960s.Building on the craze of the American boy bands of the 1990s and early 2000s ofNSYNC,Backstreet Boys,and later theJonas Brothers,the One Direction teen idols redefined the concept of the boy band and its legitimacy by shedding the image of the manufactured idol and embracing their authenticity.They created a new wave of the boy band genre that directly contributed to the emergence of other artists such as5 Seconds of Summer.Despite their indefinite hiatus in 2015, One Direction has a cemented place in the annals of pop music history and its members continue to pursue solo music careers.

In the 2020s, singer-songwriterOlivia Rodrigohas dominated the teen pop scene. Emerging as a teenage Disney star, she swiftly transitioned into pop music to draw from her personal experiences to weave narratives of love, heartbreak and self-exploration. Rodrigo’s rise to fame can be attributed to her prominence on platforms such asTikTok,where she became viral after releasing her first single “Drivers License”in 2021.

See also

• Bobby soxer
• Teen drama– (List of teen dramas)
• Teen film– (List of teen films)
• Teen idol
• Teen magazine– (List of teen magazines)
• Teen sitcom– (List of teen situation comedies)
• Teenybopper
• Youth culture

External links

• Teen popatAllmusic