Whether you’re creating TikTok videos, YouTube content, Instagram Reels, podcasts, or branded media, choosing the right music can significantly increase your contents appeal. But selecting the right music can be a mine field. Alining yourself with the latest trending music styles can help you wade through the ocean of beats and select something thats going to appeal to the masses.

As content creation continues to evolve in 2026, certain music genres have emerged as clear leaders across multiple platforms. Based on current creator trends and platform data, we are going to reveal the three most popular music genres used in content creation today.

3: Latin Music & Regional Mexican

Latin music has become a global force in both streaming and content creation. Its tropical global appeal bring vibrancy and colour to content. Latin music is a broad church covering various reginal styles. One of the fastest-growing styles is Regional Mexican music. In particular, a style known as corridos tumbados (or “trap corridos”), has seen explosive growth across social platforms. It combines acoustic guitar with trap style influences as well as the infamous accordian and occasionally brass.

Popular Sub-Genres

• Regional Mexican / Corridos Tumbados
• Latin Pop and Urban Latin

How It’s Used in Content

Latin music is especially popular for the following types of content:

• Dance challenges and choreography videos – still hugely poplular on TikTok
• Fashion transitions and lifestyle montages – especially effective when used with vibrant colourful footage
• Travel, food, and cultural storytelling

Latin Music’s strong emphisis on rhythms and uplifting energy make it ideal for visually dynamic content. This trend directly reflects general listening habits, as Latin music continues to dominate global charts and playlists.

2. Pop (Hyperpop & Pop-Rock)

Pop music’s strength lies in its universal accessibility, simplicity and instant hooks. This makes it one of the most effective genres for audience retention, especially with younger audiences. In recent years 80s inspired synth pop has lead the charge but in 2025, we saw two new pop trends emerge in content creation: Hyperpop and nostalgic Pop-Rock.

Key Sub-Genres

• Hyperpop – Glitchy, distorted, high-energy pop directly inspired by internet culture
• Pop-Rock – Catchy melodies blended with guitar-driven energy

The “Brat” Effect & Rock Revival

Hyperpop has exploded thanks to Gen Z creators. The style of music perfectly compliments the chaotic, expressive aesthetics that are used in the content. At the same time, TikTok has driven a massive resurgence of 90s and 2000s rock and nu-metal, bringing renewed attention to guitar-led sounds that scream emotional intensity.

Content Applications

Pop and Pop-Rock are commonly used in:

• Vlogs, lifestyle, and beauty content
• Fashion edits and brand storytelling
• Feel-good YouTube background music

These trends closely align with mainstream music consumption, where pop remains dominant while continuously evolving into new styles.

1. Hip-Hop / Rap & Phonk

Hip-Hop remains the most influential genre and most dominant force in content creation. In 2025, search interest and usage across social platforms continued to surge, reinforcing its position as the go-to genre for modern creators. And while styles of Hip-Hop vary greatly it’s now been a part of mainstream culture for over 40 years meaning it doesn’t just talk to the youth. Old Skool styles of hip-hop particularly resinate with the 35 and above audience.

Sub-Genres Driving the Trend

• Phonk – Dark, aggressive, bass-heavy hip-hop – this relatively recent style is perfect for creating edgy and tense content.
• Trap – High-energy beats with punchy drums, synths and soulful samples – Traps tempo is particularly useful because of it’s double time rhythms. It can similtaniously sound slow and fast.

How Creators Use It

Hip-Hop and the sub genres of Phonk and Trap are widely used as royalty-free background music for:

• Gaming videos and esports highlights
• Fitness, car, and action-based edits
• Tutorials, tech reviews, and fast-cut social content
• Extreme sport and dance routines

These styles add confidence, edge, and intensity, making them perfect for short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Their popularity in content creation closely mirrors global music streaming trends, where Hip-Hop continues to dominate charts and playlists.

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