Gen Z Music and Pop Culture: Breaking Boundaries and Defining the Future

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, scrolling through Instagram, or chatting with your friends on Discord, you’ve probably noticed that Gen Z’s music and pop culture tastes are totally unique from the Millennial era that came before us. But what’s driving this shift, and how are Gen Z’s preferences different from those of Millennials?

To fully understand the music and pop culture of Gen Z, we need to dive into what makes this generation stand out—our constant connection to the internet, our desire for inclusivity, our rejection of traditional media gatekeepers, and our appetite for content that speaks directly to us. It’s more than just a difference in age; it’s a difference in the world we grew up in, and how that has shaped our collective identity.

Gen Z’s Musical Landscape: A New Era of Genres, Virality, and Artists

Unlike Millennials, who came of age during the heyday of iTunes and the early Spotify years, Gen Z has grown up in a world dominated by streaming, algorithms, and social media. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are driving musical trends, and these spaces are shaping who we listen to and how we discover new artists.

The Power of TikTok and Music Virality

One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and Millennials is the role TikTok plays in the music we consume. For Millennials, music discovery happened through curated playlists or radio, but for us, TikTok is the ultimate platform for finding new songs. In 2020, TikTok became the most downloaded app in the world, and it has solidified its place as the kingmaker for viral hits.

A single 15-second clip can make or break an artist’s career. Songs like "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X went viral on TikTok before skyrocketing to Billboard chart success. Lil Nas X’s genre-blending style—mixing country, rap, and trap elements—also exemplifies how Gen Z embraces musical hybridity in ways that feel fresh compared to Millennials' more defined genre preferences. Millennials might have gravitated toward indie rock or pop-punk, but Gen Z doesn’t like to be boxed in.

TikTok is now even more essential. For instance, Oliver Anthony’s "Rich Men North of Richmond" (2023) shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 largely because of its viral spread on TikTok. This acoustic country-folk anthem about economic frustrations resonated deeply with young people, sparking conversations on social media about politics, class, and the struggles faced by ordinary people. TikTok’s quick, viral nature ensures that music with a strong emotional pull can blow up in a way that wasn’t possible in the Millennial era.

Another example is Ice Spice, who became one of Gen Z’s breakout stars in 2023. Her viral hits like "Munch (Feelin' U)" and "In Ha Mood" were made popular by TikTok’s catchy dance trends, proving again how the app is an incubator for short, memeable moments. Ice Spice is part of a growing wave of female rappers who embody Gen Z’s love for authenticity and self-made success.

Genre Fluidity: Breaking Down Musical Boundaries

While Millennials saw the rise of genre-based streaming (think curated playlists like "Indie Pop" or "Hip-Hop Hits"), Gen Z thrives on genre fluidity. We don’t believe in strict labels when it comes to music, and we’re more likely to hop between styles depending on mood, setting, or even our favorite creators.

In 2023-2024, PinkPantheress is a prime example of this genre-blending approach. Her breakout hit "Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2" with Ice Spice has been a cross-genre sensation, combining hyperpop, drum and bass, and bubblegum pop. PinkPantheress’ unique lo-fi aesthetic and ability to merge genres in her short, punchy tracks are exactly what Gen Z craves. We don’t want to be pigeonholed into one sound—we love mixing and mashing genres in ways that feel new.

Another huge trend in 2024 is the rise of hyperpop—a genre blending elements of electronic, pop, and experimental music. Artists like 100 gecs have led this movement, creating chaotic, genre-defying tracks that have become anthems for Gen Z’s anything-goes mentality. Hyperpop is emblematic of how Gen Z has no patience for genre gatekeeping; we’re as likely to be listening to trap one minute and an experimental pop track the next.

In contrast, Millennials often stuck to genre-focused artists or playlists. While artists like Beyonce and Kanye West certainly pushed genre boundaries, Millennials’ listening habits were still tied more tightly to specific genres like alt-rock, hip-hop, or EDM. Gen Z's openness to mixing genres reflects our broader views on fluidity, whether that’s related to identity, fashion, or relationships.

The Rise of DIY Artists and Bedroom Pop

A huge trend among Gen Z is the rise of DIY and bedroom pop artists, who record music independently and rely on social media to build an audience. Artists like Beabadoobee, Steve Lacy, and PinkPantheress have gained massive popularity for their lo-fi, intimate sound that feels raw and relatable. Steve Lacy’s "Bad Habit" (2022) was a chart-topping single that started on TikTok before it reached mainstream success, with its bedroom-produced vibe connecting with Gen Z’s love for authenticity.

In 2023, Clairo and Conan Gray continued this trend of bedroom pop crossing into mainstream success. These artists embody a DIY ethos that reflects Gen Z’s broader embrace of self-made, internet-driven fame. We’re drawn to artists who feel like they could be one of us, recording music from their bedroom with little more than a microphone, laptop, and raw emotion.

For Gen Z, discovering an artist on SoundCloud or TikTok before they hit it big is a badge of honor. The music feels more personal, more intimate, and in many ways more relatable than the hyper-polished pop acts Millennials grew up with, like Taylor Swift or Katy Perry. While Millennials embraced indie music too, Gen Z’s ability to bypass traditional gatekeepers and find artists through platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and TikTok is unparalleled.

Pop Culture in the Gen Z Era: Memes, Inclusivity, and the Rejection of Traditional Media

Music is just one piece of the larger puzzle of Gen Z pop culture. The way we consume media, interact with celebrities, and define trends is wildly different from Millennials’ experience. For us, traditional entertainment gatekeepers like TV networks, movie studios, and even radio are largely irrelevant.

The Meme Economy: Humor as a Cultural Currency

In Gen Z’s world, memes are more than just jokes—they’re a way of communicating, of creating inside jokes that unite us as a community. Memes transcend generations, but what’s interesting about Gen Z is how quickly we use them to comment on trending topics, music, or viral moments.

For instance, when Drake dropped his album For All The Dogs in 2023, the internet exploded with memes about his lyrics, the album’s production, and its unexpected collaborations with artists like SZA. While Millennials often consumed memes passively on sites like Reddit or Tumblr, Gen Z takes an active role in creating and spreading them. Memes not only define how we react to music but also how we shape public perception of it.

The song "WAP" by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion may have sparked meme trends in 2020, but in 2023, artists like Travis Scott and Doja Cat are creating tracks specifically engineered for TikTok virality and meme culture. Doja Cat, with her absurdist humor and ability to dominate TikTok, is one of Gen Z’s most iconic meme-generating musicians. Her music videos, Instagram lives, and interviews regularly become meme-worthy content, making her a beloved figure across internet subcultures.

Inclusivity and Representation: The Core of Gen Z Pop Culture

A defining characteristic of Gen Z pop culture is our deep commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We expect the media we consume to reflect a variety of experiences, identities, and perspectives. This shift is most obvious in the entertainment industry, where actors, musicians, and influencers from marginalized communities are finally getting the spotlight.

Lil Nas X continues to be one of the most iconic Gen Z stars, pushing boundaries not just musically but culturally. His 2021 hit "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" challenged conservative views on LGBTQ+ identities and opened the door for other queer artists to find mainstream success. In 2023-2024, we’ve seen even more queer, non-binary, and POC artists gain prominence, with musicians like Arlo Parks and Rina Sawayama representing the kind of diversity Gen Z expects from the music world.

This inclusivity isn't just about gender or race—it's about embracing different styles, voices, and experiences. Sam Smith and Kim Petras made history in 2023 by winning a Grammy for their hit "Unholy," becoming the first non-binary and transgender artists to receive such recognition. This moment highlights how Gen Z is actively reshaping what success in the music industry looks like, pushing for a future where diverse representation is the norm, not the exception.

Cancel Culture and Accountability

Another major difference in how Gen Z engages with pop culture is through the lens of accountability. Cancel culture, a phenomenon that rose with our generation, reflects a desire to hold public figures and corporations responsible for problematic

behavior. We’ve seen this play out countless times—from musicians like DaBaby being called out for homophobic remarks to brands like Balenciaga facing backlash over controversial ad campaigns in late 2022.

Cancel culture has evolved in 2023-2024 to become more nuanced, though. Gen Z isn't just quick to "cancel" someone; we engage in discussions about whether apologies are sincere, and we follow up with public figures to see if they’ve actually learned from their mistakes. This demand for accountability is rooted in our hyper-awareness of social justice issues, something Millennials didn’t always experience growing up. While Millennials may have embraced "wokeness," Gen Z is pushing the boundaries further, holding celebrities, politicians, and companies to higher standards.

The "Why" Behind the Shift: Social Media, Technology, and a Changing World

So why has Gen Z’s approach to music and pop culture diverged so dramatically from Millennials? The answer lies in the technology we grew up with and the rapidly changing world around us.

Gen Z came of age in the era of social media, where we’ve been constantly connected since our early teens. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just tools for discovering trends—they are our cultural landscape. We create and consume culture in real-time, often dictating what’s popular without the need for traditional media gatekeepers. This immediacy has given us the power to amplify voices, trends, and causes that matter to us.

We’ve also grown up in a world grappling with social, political, and environmental crises, from climate change to racial inequality. These realities have shaped our worldview, making us more likely to support artists, brands, and movements that align with our values. Inclusivity, representation, and authenticity aren’t just buzzwords for us—they’re expectations.

Conclusion: Gen Z’s Unique Musical and Cultural Identity

Gen Z is defining pop culture and music in a way that’s more fluid, more inclusive, and more immediate than ever before. Our obsession with TikTok virality, our love for genre-blending artists, and our deep commitment to inclusivity make us a generation unlike any other. Whether it’s viral TikTok moments, artists like Ice Spice and PinkPantheress, or the rise of hyperpop, Gen Z is shaping the future of music and pop culture in ways that feel innovative, authentic, and totally our own.