In 2026, people listen to a wide variety of music, ranging from pop, rock, country and everything in between. While the majority of the world listens to different types of music, there are a couple of music genres that rank above the rest. Across major listening platforms the top genres show pop, hip-hop/rap and EDM are the most dominant music genres and have been that way for roughly the past decade.
Looking specifically at LSHS students, a small group of data shows a decently clear trend in what people enjoy listening to. Pop and rock are tied as the most popular genres. The results support the overall ranking of pop being the most popular genre globally.
Junior Jackson Evans shares a personal favorite that shows this trend.
“My favorite song is ‘Stateside Remix’ by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson,” Evens said.
Alternative rock and R&B also rank high, showing that students are branching out to different styles of music. A close runner-up is rap, proving that different varieties of music play a huge part in what students listen to on a daily basis.
The variety in taste is also clear when students talk about why they like certain songs.
“A top song I really like is ‘untitled 02’ by Kendrick Lamar. I really like rap songs/songs in general that incorporate classic instruments, which is why I enjoy this song so much,” senior Katherine Russell said.
Beyond just favorite music genres and songs, many students also said that their music choices depend a lot on their mood and surroundings. Instead of sticking to one type of music, they match choices to the current moment and mood.
“If it’s a sunny day, I’d rather listen to pop music or rap, and if it’s rainy it’s more R&B or rap,” senior Kynnadi Hanks said.
Concert experiences also play a big role in people’s connections to music. Seeing an artist perform live can make songs feel more exciting and have more emotion, which can strengthen someone’s interest in a certain genre or specific artist.
“The best concert I ever went to was ‘The Clancy World Tour: Twenty One Pilots’. It was my third time ever seeing the band, and I had gotten floor tickets for the very first time. It was a lot of fun, and I went with my mom and girlfriend, who also loves the band. We got to dress up, take lots of pictures and scream songs together with the crowd,” junior Casper Reveles shares.
Many people, especially LSHS students, feel that music is more than background noise; instead, it is a part of their everyday routine. Whether music plays through their headphones on the way to class, during homework or with friends, music is always there. The songs and artists they listen to reflect their personality and give them a way to be present and enjoy the moment.
