By the late 1990s, mainstream tastes tended toward pop music. Boy bands like ‘N Sync and East 17 emerged – manufactured acts assembled specifically for their looks that were then aggressively promoted towards young audiences.
Alicia Keys stood out as an exciting alternative with her hip-hop flair and old school piano chops, setting herself apart with her lovelorn debut hit single.
1. Daft Punk
Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have always pushed the limits of pop music, appearing in movies, making acclaimed live albums, as well as four studio recordings between 1997 and 2013. Notable releases by these duo included their soundtrack for Tron: Legacy (2010) as well as their self-titled Random Access Memories (RAM) from 2013.
Daft Punk were inspired by sci-fi films like Captain Harlock to craft an aesthetic that fused electro house and classic movie themes, evoking both scientists’ anonymity and inhumanity in robot personas they adopted as robot personas – this allowed Daft Punk to produce music without human expectations or interactions, keeping their fans invested in the fantasy that they created.
Although many electronic musicians had to adapt over their careers, few managed to do it with such dramatic effect as Interstella 5100 did. From Discovery through RAM and Interstella 5100’s back-to-analogue quest. Every move they made was both calculated and risky in order to keep their audience interested and intrigued.
Last album by the band was an ambitious endeavor, featuring dozens of musicians in the studio and featuring an entirely different production style than earlier works. Instead of sampling their early material for inspiration, this time they called upon artists such as Nile Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder and Pharrell Williams for new riffs and rhythms – making a final, bold statement that marked both an end to an era and start of another one.
In the 2000s, R&B enjoyed its greatest heyday. Many artists embraced its smooth sound and lush production styles, leading to Usher, Beyonce and Mariah Carey incorporating rhythmic beats and basslines into their work.
2. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg was one of the most iconic voices in pop music of the 00s. His signature slang and delivery were hugely influential for other artists including Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, who changed their lyrics to include more gangsta-influenced lyricism popularized by Snoop. This trend fostered more subdued and emotional pop music.
Lyrics often reflect the views and values of an entire generation, which explains why many popular songs of the 2000s focused on drugs and gangs. At the same time, however, rappers began shifting away from gangsta rap towards more positive messages such as love, peace and friendship.
The 2000s was an era dominated by boy bands like *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys as well as girl groups such as Destiny’s Child, TLC, and Spice Girls that inspired young girls with their powerful lyrics and messages. Additionally, hip-hop and R&B collided seamlessly in an eclectic blend of styles that was the signature sound of this era.
Snoop Dogg made his mark during the 2000s by adopting various personas. He would rap about being a pimp, gangster and even stoner – making his performances memorable for their variety. But his most noteworthy work came when collaborating with other musical greats: Pharrell-assisted “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and Katy Perry-assisted “California Gurls” are two such collaborations which remain timeless classics today.
Snoop Dogg continues to make waves today. His 2015 album Bush successfully blends hip-hop funk and R&B influences, featuring guest appearances from Stevie Wonder, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar and more. Furthermore, Snoop continues to showcase his island-influenced flow on new singles such as “Beautiful.” Clearly Snoop has arrived!
3. Christina Aguilera
The 2000s witnessed an explosion of female pop artists that revolutionized the industry. Whereas the 1990s was marked by bubblegum teen pop, the 2000s introduced more diverse musical styles and themes – artists like Beyonce, Pink and Avril Lavigne had an outsized impact with emotional depth and fearless styles that transformed generations of fans. Hip hop also became an influence with its rhythmic beats and basslines helping shape pop songs into something more complex.
Christina Aguilera quickly established herself as one of the biggest pop stars of this era with multiple chart-topping hits and her raw and edgy lyrics that set her apart from boy bands such as *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys was what set her apart, while girl groups such as Destiny’s Child and TLC became household names during this teen pop phase. Although some critics doubted Aguilera would survive during its height, her vocal versatility shone through with hit singles such as “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a Girl Wants.”
This song demonstrated Aguilera’s vocal abilities and her immense singing range, drawing in listeners with its infectious chorus and mellifluous melodies. Additionally, its mysterious lyrics generated curiosity from listeners trying to decipher its meaning; truly one of Aguilera’s iconic pop hits from this era!
After becoming established on the top 40 scene, Aguilera released Stripped, an album which showcased her diverse musical tastes and emotional depth. She experimented with various genres and influences that set it apart from rival teen-pop albums of its day (such as Britney Spears’ dance-pop). While her peers stuck to their signature sound (Britney Spears’ dance-pop defined an era), Aguilera continued her evolution with Liberation – her second studio effort released three years later.
4. M.I.A.
The 2000s was a decade of globalization, as artists increasingly released their music independently and bypassed traditional record labels to do so. While this meant greater competition within the music scene, it also led to a radical transformation of pop music with hip hop and dance leading the charge.
Although most popular songs were light-hearted and playful, many addressed more serious subjects. Inspiration became an especially prominent theme during this era; artists found ways to motivate audiences with songs like Cher’s “Believe”. She used it as an outlet to express her personal struggles and search for meaning in life through song. Not only was its lyrics powerful, but Cher also delivered a performance worthy of admiration; her range of emotions and looks showcased her incredible voice talent.
Importantly, during this era there was a shift towards more intricate sounds in pop music due to hip hop’s influence, with its use of samples and loops to produce its unique sound. This style was often combined with more traditional pop production methods for an effective blend that is still heard today in popular songs.
Pop music of this era saw the rise of catchy beats and lyrics that resonated with audiences, such as *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys dominating charts during this era, while girl groups such as Destiny’s Child and TLC offered strong messages to young female listeners everywhere. Popular bands also introduced audiences to new genres of emo pop punk like Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and Jimmy Eat World which created new audiences through honest lyrics about anxiety, depression and disillusionment.
5. The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas were one of the most beloved music groups during the 2000s, renowned for their catchy tunes and endearing personalities. They provided inspiration to young girls through their empowering songs and messages; boy bands were also fashionable at this time with *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys becoming huge hits on radio playlists.
R&B music played an influential role in pop music during the 2000s. Artists experimented with incorporating elements from this genre into their songs to create unique sounds; artists like Missy Elliott and Outkast took cues from hip hop influences like hip hop to create their signature styles that combined rap, R&B, and other genres into an entirely distinct sound that made their mark on pop music history.
One of the greatest influences on pop music in the 2000s was digital technology’s introduction. This innovation changed how people listened to music and discovered new artists – music could now be streamed online and shared instantly, while musicians could now establish more meaningful relationships with their fan base by building fan bases that were loyal.
As is evident from this list, numerous influential artists helped define pop music during the 2000s. Many pushed societal norms forward to foster more inclusive cultures while others used their platform to support social causes – like Lady Gaga’s advocacy for LGBTQ rights – all contributing significantly towards shaping popular culture during this era and cementing its place as one of pop music history. It will always remain one of its most iconic decades!