Genre-blending, unapologetically feminine, and emotionally raw storytelling ushered in a new standard for artistry
Graphic by the Martlet.
2024 was a year for genre-crossing, unapologetically feminine, and experimental sounds that resulted in a versatile, filthy, and avant-garde culture of music. Our current musical climate demands constant balance between reinvention, nostalgia, and originality. One artist took the liberty of serving a project so versatile, dirty, and poignant for the girls and the gays: Charli XCX. Her album brat was simply the IT GIRL for Gen Z in 2024. Raw, meticulous, and infectious, brat exemplified the demand for authenticity in artistry and genuine fun that audiences crave.
Here’s what other projects made their mark in 2024:
Pop
It’s been a while since we’ve had a year as powerful for mainstream pop as 2024. Women owned the genre, taking pride (and risks) in their artistry at an astronomical level. Seasoned superstars like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande released evocative, daring, and profound albums that demonstrated their durability and impact on the popular music scene.
Meanwhile, Best New Artist (BNA) Grammy nominees Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter demonstrated that pop can be refreshing, fun, and feminine with hits like “Espresso” and “Good Luck, Babe!”
Previous BNA winners Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa released critically-acclaimed, fan-devoured projects, with the former providing the most-streamed song of 2024, “Birds Of A Feather.”
On TikTok, musicians like Bruno Mars, Gracie Abrams, and Tate McRae dominated the scene. Defined by crossing genres, authenticity, live instrumentation, and emergence of new main popstars, it was solidified that pop doesn’t just mean light, bubblegum, or loud –– but that’s what hooked us on the sound in 2024.
Rap
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar cemented his position as one of the most influential musicians of our time this year. Between his surprise album GNX, chart-topping Future & Metro Boomin’ collaboration “Like That,” or the inescapable “Not Like Us,” that only heightened his feud with Drake, Lamar produced quality work at a level few have ever achieved.
Likewise, Doechii, who is signed to the same label as Lamar, made waves as one of the most poetic, fly and captivating rising rappers, with the first female Best Rap Album Grammy nominee of the decade, ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL. Further nourishing the rise of female rappers were GloRilla and Sexxy Red, who found success embracing their unapologetically risqué style and undeniable flow.
Fuelling the female rap feud with highest-grossing touring female rapper of 2024, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion garnered attention with her ferocious single “HISS” and cunning third album Megan. Spending three weeks atop the Billboard charts was Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia, delivering his signature innovative, experimental neo-soul that has influenced the modern rap genre.
Legends such as Eminem, Drake, and Ye also offered flourishing hits. Both commercially and critically — in ways the genre hasn’t for years — rap took 2024 by storm.
Indie
Independent music continued to shine through devotion to individuality, expanding outside of conventions, and an emphasis on emerging voices such as Calgary’s Cindy Lee, and the release of Diamond Jubilee that was both Pitchfork’s highest rated album of the year, and CFUV’s most-played record.
Songwriting master Adrianne Lenker released a disastrously depressing perspective on love and loss with Bright Future. Any Light by Loving was also a favourite, rife with breezy meditations and spirituality — the second most played album at CFUV.
Poetry never sounded so raw nor unnerving than in Sudanese-Canadian musician Mustafa’s Dunya. Additionally — experimental, seductive and sickening, Magdalena Bay released an exploration into modern indie pop with Imaginal Disk.
Likewise, heartbreak and reconciliation never sounded so sultry with The Marias’ release of Submarine. Clairo’s Charm, though, may just have been the pinnacle of bedroom tunes this year. Alternative, underground, indie, call it what you want, the music was unbelievable.
Country
In 2024, one question arose more than any other: What is country music?
Country has historically been defined by twang and banjos. This year, we saw the reclamation of the genre in a confident, patriotic, and poignant way with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. Unexpected yet revolutionary, Beyoncé flipped the genre on its head and then some, between the hotter-than-heat “TEXAS HOLD EM”, chill-sending ballad “16 CARRIAGES,” and denim anthem “LEVII’S JEANS” with Post Malone.
This year, country embraced its roots, both cliché and underrepresented. Malone also sunk his teeth into the genre with a deadly bite, releasing F1 Trillion which made noise between old and new fans alike, with chart-topping Morgan Wallen collab “I Had Some Help” and Blake Shelton collab “Pour Me A Drink.”
Female country stars had a stellar year, including Kacey Musgraves’ mature Deeper Well, Megan Moroney’s bombshell Am I Okay?, and Lainey Wilson’s effortlessly charming Whirlwind.
New artist Shaboozey blurred the lines of hip-hop and country with “Tipsy,” which, at the time of publication, has tied Billboard’s record for longest stay at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.
In 2024, we can categorize country as a genre that breaks out of confinement, resulting in a massive resurgence in popularity.
