Have you ever wondered what kind of music young people across the United States are listening to? Are they crazy about Britney Spears? Do they love the Backstreet Boys? Or do they dance with Eminem?
Well, nearly 6,000 teens have taken part in a Teen & Music survey, made by the USA Weekend Magazine last autumn. And the result showed what type of music was hot and what was not.
It comes without surprise that hip-hop and rap are the most popular types of music among American teenagers. They began in the mid-1970s with young black kids in New York, taking music onto the streets. Hip -hop and rap are well-known for the break-dancing that goes with them.
The word "rap" comes from a slang word. It is a rapid rhyme that is spoken rather than sung.
Pop music, such as Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, has always met the tastes of the general public. It continues to enjoy support from teens and is the second most popular music after hip-hop and rap.
The third is rock music with exciting dance beats and simple lyrics that speak loudly of social problems. The melodies are led by electric guitars. Rock became popular in the USA in the early 1950s. The American singer Elvis Presley and British group the Beatles became world famous rock artists.
The survey also shows that jazz is least loved by American teens. It developed in the later part of the 19th century from a mixture of African songs and hymns. Jazz tends to be the type of music that people enjoy more as they get older.
