Playlist Live
Spoiler alert: It's not just TikTok-core.
Gen Z isn't just remixing old trends — they're rewriting the rules of taste itself. Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation grew up with streaming algorithms, global connectivity, and an attitude that says genre is a suggestion, not a limitation.
But while their playlists may look like musical chaos to Boomers and even Millennials, there's real data and intention behind the shuffle. Let's unpack the top genres dominating Gen Z's AirPods, Reels, and serotonin cycles — and why it matters.
1. Hip-Hop: Still King, But Rebranded
According to Spotify Wrapped 2024, Hip-Hop remains the #1 genre globally among 13–27 year olds, but the version Gen Z streams is less about bravado and more about vulnerability and vibe.
Artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Doja Cat, and Teezo Touchdown aren't just dropping bars—they're memeing, crying, dressing like anime characters, and blending in everything from hyper pop to alt-rock.
Why it matters: Gen Z values authenticity over authority. They aren't afraid to crown SoundCloud veterans or TikTok freestylers as royalty if the music slaps and the story resonates.
2. Indie/Alt-Pop: The Rise of "Main Character Energy"
Whether it's Clairo, Dominic Fike, or Steve Lacy, indie/alt-pop has become the sonic wallpaper of Gen Z's soft rebellion.
Spotify's 2024 trends show a 43% rise in streams of bedroom pop and lo-fi indie playlists from Gen Z users, especially during study hours and mental health check-in moments.
Why it matters: For a generation navigating identity, climate anxiety, and systemic overhaul, indie permits to be messy, poetic, and personal.
3. K-Pop: Global Domination (With Subcultural Precision)
BTS walked, so NewJeans, Stray Kids, and LE SSERAFIM could dance, produce, and direct.
K-Pop isn't just big — it's movement-level big. According to IFPI's 2024 report, Gen Z accounted for over 65% of international K-pop streams, making it one of the few non-English genres that consistently crack the U.S. top charts.
Why it matters: K-pop fandom isn't passive. Gen Z engages with it like a social movement — fan cams, fancasts, fundraising, and more. The genre is a blueprint for immersive, world-building culture.
4. Hyperpop & Digital Chaos: Music for the Algorithm Age
Think 100 gecs, Glaive, or midwest emo x pluggnb hybrids. Gen Z is obsessed with music that feels like it was designed to break your speakers and blow up in 9-second TikToks.
According to YouTube Music Trends, hyper pop saw a 120% YoY growth among listeners under 24. It's music that's glitchy, memorable, and proudly incoherent—because why not?
Why it matters: This genre embodies the Gen Z spirit — post-genre, post-satire, post-sense — but not post-feelings.
5. Afrobeats & Amapiano: The Global Pulse
Gen Z is the most globally connected generation ever, and their taste reflects it. From Burna Boy to Tems to Uncle Waffles, Afrobeats and Amapiano are booming in popularity from Brooklyn to Berlin.
Spotify revealed a +87% increase in Afrobeats streaming in the U.S. alone between 2023 and 2024 — the majority from listeners aged 14–25.
Why it matters: These genres offer more than vibes — they're rhythmic proof that Gen Z is ready to dance beyond borders, embrace diasporic stories, and vibe in multiple time zones.
Gen Z's Favorite Genres Aren't Just a Mood, They're a Movement
Gen Z isn't loyal to one genre but to emotional resonance, identity reflection, and platform-native discovery.
This is the generation that:
Listens to SZA, switches to Playboi Carti, and ends the night with a Japanese city pop playlist.
Wants artists who cry and have good drip.
Prioritizes raw emotion and cultural relevance over technical perfection.
In a world trying to define them, Gen Z is saying, "We'll make the playlist, thanks."
Bonus: What This Means for Artists, Brands & Marketers
If you're trying to connect with Gen Z through music:
Stop thinking in labels. Start thinking in moodboards and meme-starters.
Think community first, platform second.
Don't chase virality — chase emotional truth.
Remember: The future of music isn't just what Gen Z listens to — it's what they feel empowered to create, remix, and share.
For Gen Z, music isn't background noise—it's a form of identity, therapy, protest, and play.