We Bet Most Millennials Won't Get Over 80% On This Pop Music Quiz
- by Lucas Wesley
- – on
- in Entertainment
Regardless of whether or not people listen to the radio or even have a Spotify account, pop music is pretty much everywhere in mainstream culture. All one needs to do is walk into a local mall or grocery store and the PA systems will inundate their ears with the hottest sounds of the day, and plenty of shoppers leave these establishments with those songs stuck in their heads. That said, there’s a huge difference between swaying to the music while buying groceries and actually knowing the musicians responsible for these unstoppably catchy hits.
Of course, one hardly needs to own every album released on iTunes and cover their bedroom from wall to wall in music related posters to recognize who these pop stars are—they just need to pay attention. In fact, such is the omnipresent nature of pop that the people who enjoy it the least might actually be inclined to recognize the major players best, as these menaces to their ears never leave them alone.
Obviously, though, detractors like that form a marked minority, and most of society is more than happy to dance along with the biggest songs on radio today. Well, at least the people young enough to appreciate and enjoy it, anyway. Keep reading for a quiz on modern pop music that even millennials will struggle to pass.
What rapper stirred familiar controversy with his song “Famous?”
In his own mine, he’ll probably always be “the best artist of this generation of this decade.” It may have been some time since this rapper said that quote, yet his continued behavior shows it’s still very strong in his mind. On the single “Famous” from The Life of Pablo, he made it abundantly clear that controversy would remain a huge part of his career through the music video. The lyrics also came under fire for references to Taylor Swift that fans of the singer didn’t appreciate. Nonetheless, the song was a big hit, just like everything else he touches.
Who released the album Lemonade in 2016?
Typically, when a pop singer releases an album, it’s preceded by months of promotion, and at least one or two big smash hits on the radio. That’s not what happened with “Lemonade,” a so-called visual album the came completely out of nowhere, suddenly appearing on Tidal one day before hitting stores the next. That wasn’t all, as the singer also released a 65-minute long form video in the same general timeframe, getting the entire musical world talking about her (again) overnight. Naturally, the conversation continued when the hit single part of the process came next.
What other Drake song replaced “God’s Plan” as the Billboard No. 1 song?
No matter how long they’ve been in the game, an artist achieving a number one hit song is always reason to celebrate. Having two or more in the same year is even better, yet extremely rare circumstances can make the honor slightly dubious. Take Drake for example, who in 2018 knocked his own song “God’s Plan” down from an 11-week tear atop the Billboard with another hit tune that stayed there for an overall 7 weeks thus far. That first song remains a top performer on the charts, as well.
What album did Taylor Swift release in 2017?
Since washing the teardrops off her guitar and embracing pop with all her might, Taylor Swift has been on top of the music world. Unfortunately, every great success is followed by months of rumor and innuendo in the press, attempting to unlock the mysteries of who her lyrics are about, not to mention questioning every other element of Swift’s at times tumultuous romantic life. Rather than sit back and take it, Swift has always been willing to fire back in her next album, with the latest a consistent response to her haters and detractors.
Who is the featured artist on Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito?”
It’s exceedingly rare for a foreign language song to wind up on top of the Billboard charts, yet there are certain factors that make it significantly more likely. For one, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” was the type of catchy club banger that would speak to audiences in any language. However, they still needed to catch the English speaking world’s attention before dominating it’s pop radio. The duo pulled this off by remixing their song with one of the most famous singers in America, making both the revamped version and the original massive hits.
Who features on Post Malone’s “Psycho?”
When a young rapper releases a song called “Psycho,” audiences might expect them to go the Eminem route and fill it with rage and anger. Post Malone took a decidedly different approach, slowing down his usual style for an R&B tinged slow burning pop tune about how crazy his parties can get. Doubling down on the smooth beats and autotune, Malone also invited another budding rapper along for the ride and had him croon out a few verses, as well, giving both of them a number one hit.
What smash hit gave Childish Gambino his first Billboard No. 1?
As early as his days on a writer for 30 Rock, there were entertainment insiders predicting Donald Glover would be a massive star. The prediction slowly started coming true with Community, and Glover is now one of the most talked about men in television thanks to his series Atlanta. Amazingly, the man has still had time to engage in a rap career as Childish Gambino, and a blistering video released out of nowhere in 2018 lead to his biggest single yet. Brash, political, and somehow still wildly fun, this is Donald Glover as he wants to be seen.
What album did Justin Timberlake release in 2018?
At this point, Justin Timberlake has realized his talents as a performer to such an extent few fans even remember he got his start in the Mickey Mouse Club. Even the days of N’SYNC were far behind him once he started releasing solo hits, a trend recent hits like “Filthy” and “Say Something” are continuing to this day. More so than the singles, Timberlake’s albums have been making huge statements when viewed as a whole, a fact his latest Southern influenced album wears on its sleeves.
Which rapper earned a posthumous number one hit with “Sad!?”
In most cases, a 20-year-old musician achieving their first number one hit single is the greatest day of their young lives. Tragically, there have also been cases where the would-be rising star isn’t even around to experience the joy. That was recently the case when the emotional rap track “Sad!” leapt into the national consciousness, considering a major reason for its success was the sudden demise of the musician who wrote it. The kid will never know he had a number one song, but at least the world will remember his name and story.
Who featured Gucci Mane on their song “Black Beatles?”
Back in 2010, Kanye West derisively asked, “what’s a black Beatle, anyway? A roach?” Turns out the answer wasn’t so bleak, as proven by Gucci Mane and a rising hip hop duo with their song about the idea. As one might have assumed before Ye weighed in, there are perks to wearing “John Lennon glasses,” and being “related to Paul McCartney,” at least in a metaphorical sense, is the sort of status budding musicians all dream about. Add a viral video trend where people act like mannequins, and a “black Beatle” could also be a number one hit song.
What boy band branched off to solo careers starting in 2016?
While the boy band craze of the ‘90s may never quite happen again, the genre is still popular with the audience young female demographic it easily targets. Recently, the concept experienced a resurgence with five young men from England who banded together after meeting on the reality competition The X-Factor. After a slew of hits, Harry, Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Louis started focusing on their solo careers, officially going on an indefinite “hiatus” in 2016. On the bright side, fans now have five budding solo acts to follow instead of just one band.
Finish the Migos song title: “Bad and _____.”
Music and pop culture in general possess an amazing quality to define and redefine terminology for any given era. When it comes to the word “bad,” the trend started as early as the ‘80s, when rappers started using it to mean the exact opposite of it’s literal intention. Migos have continued this trend with a hit single that topped the charts in 2016, doubling down on the concept by taking another traditionally negative quality and bragging about it as though it were a positive.
Who sang the duet “Perfect” with Beyoncé?
Earnest love songs have always been candy to audience’s ears, especially when sung by a singer who already endeared themselves to the world with previous pop hits. Make it a duet with an equally popular performer and the hit potential continues to fly through the roof. That combination made “Perfect” a massive hit twice over, first when the singer released it on his own, and again when he followed it up with a duet version featuring Beyoncé. Further displaying the songs versatility, there was also an orchestral version with classical singer Andrea Bocelli.
Which producer released “Uptown Funk” with Bruno Mars?
For all the influence they have over music, few record producers reach the level of fame as the singers and artists they produce. Given this information, chances are most listeners initially assumed the massive hit “Uptown Funk” was a Bruno Mars song, when in fact the singer was a featured guest on his usual producer’s solo single. However, after it spent a solid 14 weeks on top of the Billboard chart and became one of the best selling songs in history, people probably started learning that producer’s name.
Complete the Imagine Dragons lyric: “You made me a _____.”
While most of the songs and artists on this quiz are primarily familiar due to their hits on the radio, this Imagine Dragons song might be best recognized for its omnipresence on television. Thanks to the lifting chorus about the power of hope in dark times, just about every brand from Nintendo to Jeep has attempted reappropriating the message to be about how great their product is. Not that the band has any problem with this, as it made the track one of their biggest hits yet.
Which rapper teamed up with Taylor Swift on “Bad Blood?”
Originally a country singer who later took over the pop universe, Taylor Swift has been known for her versatility from the very beginning. When she embraced dance beats and simple choruses, hip hop influences started entering her music as well, a trend culminated when a rising rapper was featured on her 2015 hit “Bad Blood.” By and large, critics would even claim the hip hop verses saved the track, which initially failed to stand out on record without his contributions. With him, it went number one and got nominated for Grammys.
Which R&B singer had a hit with the song “Nikes?”
In defiance of the Odd Future collective’s harsh and at times immature image, the first member to break out as a solo star with hits on the pop chart was perhaps the group’s gentlest member. Rather than confrontational rap songs, he focused on simple love ballads dedicated to things about those close to him. Despite a brief hiatus between his breakthrough album and the follow up, this artist remains a vital voice in music, returning to the scene in late 2016 with his latest hit, “Nikes.”
What album did Lady Gaga release in 2016?
After years of being the most wild and outrageous figure in pop music, Lady Gaga has been toning her image down a bit and focusing on the power of music. Because she happens to be an incredibly good songwriter, the fact her makeup and costumes are less ornate hasn’t hurt her success at all, needing little more than a bright pink hat to catch everyone’s attention. Well, that and soft pop hits propelled by her powerful voice, even if they aren’t quite as dancey as they used to be.
What classic rock band returned to the Billboard top album charts with Songs of Experience?
By and large, that old time rock and roll doesn’t exactly top the pop charts anymore. Even when a harder song does achieve significantly airplay, it’s usually a newer band with a lighter sound ditching their guitars to reach a wider audience. There is an exception to the rule, however, in iconic bands getting back together and rewarding long time fans with a new classic. Throw in a gimmick like selling copies of the new album along with tickets to their latest tour, and it could even be one of the highest charting records of the year.
What former One Direction member had a solo hit with “Pillowtalk?”
Each time a huge band begins separating and releasing solo songs, fans speculate over which one will have the biggest career and create the most hits. The boys of One Direction have only recently gone their separate ways, yet they’ve already given a few hints about which ones may remain relevant alone, and who may be less fortunate. For one thing, fans can expect the singer behind “Pillowtalk” is going to stay on top for a while, as he was the first member to achieve a number one song on his own.
What song brought Cardi B to fame?
Already an Internet celebrity thanks to her persona on social media, Cardi B was in some respects an overnight sensation as a musician. Before she even released an album, B’s debut single topped the pop charts. This made her one of very few female rappers to have the honor, and most impressively, she did so with a relatively sparse track focusing entirely on her braggadocios lyrics. Immediately, everyone in music from Migos to Nicki Minaj were begging to work with her, knowing she could make their money move, as well.
Complete The Chainsmokers lyrics: “We ain’t ever getting _____.”
Electronic music DJs have always excelled in taking simple sounds and stretching them out to the longest possible conclusion. What separates The Chainsmokers from other duos on the scene today is that they’ve managed to use this trend and cross over to the pop charts, even breaking records with their landmark hit “Closer” featuring Halsey. In addition to their catchy sounds, the lyrics played a major role in what made this song so big, especially the oft repeated refrain that echoes decades of rock and pop sentiment.
What album did Eminem release in late 2017?
Pop music has long had a flirtation with hip hop, and for all the flash in the pan rappers who feature as guests on plain pop hits, few represent the crossover better than Eminem. Few other rappers have topped the charts nearly as many times without ever once betraying the genre that made them famous in style or tone. If anything, Eminem’s biggest hits are the ones that showcase his lyrical flow as a rapper the most, a trend that has continued with the singles “River,” Nowhere Fast,” and “Walk on Water” from his latest album.
Which rapper teamed up with Kanye West to form Kids See Ghosts?
Never one to confine himself in any way, even as Kanye West continues releasing hit albums and singles as a solo star, he continues teaming up with other vanguards of the industry to produce nonstop side projects. In 2018, he did this several times over, releasing his own new album Ye alongside projects with Nas, Pusha T, and Teyana Taylor, plus the debut of a new super duo called Kids See Ghosts. Singles from the sessions are too fresh to have strongly impacted the charts, but the albums themselves already look to be big sellers.
Complete the Omi lyric: “I think that I found myself a _____. She is always right there when I need her.”
Pretty much from the moment pop music was created, the vast majority of it focused on men singing about women they love, or vice versa. The only difference over time has been the metaphors used to describe these feelings, and by the modern era, audiences may think they’ve heard them all. Omi wasn’t exactly saying anything new with his 2015 smash hit, as his particular launching off point had already been used to great success in earlier pop songs. Nonetheless, he said it in such a catchy way the sentiment topped the charts once again.
What is the name of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s debut album as The Carters?
It’s all well and good when a pop singer and a rapper team up for a single song, and there’s even a chance the results could top the charts. However, an entire collaborative album is always a bit of a risk, as there’s no saying how long fans of one artist will be willing to put up with the other. That said, just about everyone who supports either Jay-Z or Beyoncé is more than willing to listen to their experiments together, leading to immediate praise when the married couple released a full album as The Carters in 2018.
Which rapper features on Katy Perry’s song “Swish Swish?”
For many pop artists, making music is something of a team sport, with numerous producers and guest musicians often helping fine tune songs before they hit the charts. This industry standard of overproduction felt wholly appropriate with Katy Perry’s 2017 hit “Swish Swish,” which uses another team sport in basketball to describe surviving against an oppressive world. In addition to the production staff, a certain guest rapper aided Perry’s team with her razor sharp wit and equally fast oratory skills. We’re not sure how it would sound on the court, but in the clubs, it was a big hit.
What album ended Kesha’s musical hiatus in 2017?
For better or worse, pop stars have always had their lives overwhelmingly scrutinized for decades now. Some of them may even feel as though they can’t breath without it getting reported about, especially as controversy and drama enters their lives in a public way. This emotional stress didn’t help Kesha during her high publicized issues with former producer Dr. Luke, leading to a hiatus from music as she got her personal life in order. Rising up like the “warrior” she is, though, Kesha has since returned to the scene with another huge hit.
Which singer joined N.E.R.D. for their comeback single “Lemon?”
As Pharrell Williams turned into a huge star in his own right, the other members of N.E.R.D. took a hiatus from producing hits to let him shine. That pause ended in 2017 with the release of “Lemon” and their album No One Ever Really Dies, which is in turn what their titular acronym allegedly stands for. While the return of a former super group was probably all N.E.R.D. needed to top the charts once again, the commercially minded group new featuring an equally huge guest star on the album’s lead single would lead to an even greater impact.
Who joined Britney Spears on her song “Make Me…?”
Despite a number of personal controversies occasionally harming her overall star power, Britney Spears always finds a way back to the top of the charts. Of course, it’s been awhile since she did anything particularly daring, so she’s pretty much back to the status held in the late ‘90s, where everything she releases is a hit no matter what. Throw in a rising guest star like she did on “Make Me…” and the “Glory” promised in the title of album it appeared on is more or less a given.
What mellow 2017 single toned down Miley Cyrus’s controversial image?
In a sense rubber banding back to her earlier image, Miley Cyrus has considerably calmed down with the release of her latest album Younger Now. Granted, she’s not quite the innocent Disney actress she was at the start of her career, but the wild and loose Bangerz like “Wrecking Ball” appear to be behind her, at least for the time being. In their place are slower and more retrospective songs like the album’s lead single, an entirely earnest love ballad to her superstar fiancé, Liam Hemsworth.
Finish the Drake lyric: “She say do you love me? I say only _____.”
Ultimately, the lasting story about Drake’s blockbuster single “God’s Plan” will likely be the music video, which saw the superstar singer give away nearly $1 million to various fans and charities. Of course, no one would have been paying attention to this incredible gesture of charity if not for the music he put behind it, coupled with the lyrics acknowledging how fortunate his life has been, a fact he attributes to the phrase he repeats throughout the chorus. That said, the most poignant lyric is closer to his usual themes of uncertain love.
Which rapper released the song “Rockstar” with 21 Savage?
Oddly enough, though it’s the pop stars who make the most money and get all the attention in media, the idea of a “rock star” is somehow the most mythic status available to a musician in any genre. This is even true of hip hop, which is why countless rappers have spoken of rock and roll glory as they spit their bars over dance beats. Audiences clearly understand the impulse, as seen when the recent crossover hit “Rockstar” gave both 21 Savage and another rapper their first number one song on the pop charts.
Who produced the hit soundtrack to Black Panther?
When a movie becomes particularly popular, it’s inevitable that the soundtrack album will be a relatively big hit, as well. Should said record happen to be curated and produced by one of the biggest stars in the pop world, the songs it feature may likewise become radio smashes, enjoyed world over by people who may not have even seen the film in question. That’s what happened with Black Panther, propelled by standalone hits like “Pray for Me” and “King’s Dead,” both of which feature raps from the executive producer.
What country group teamed up with Beyoncé on “Daddy Lessons?”
Having come to fame in her own all female group Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé definitely appreciates the idea of women getting together and producing smash hits. Therefore, the only surprising thing about Queen Bey teaming up with another iconic group on Lemonade’s “Daddy Issues” is that they happened to be known almost exclusively for their work in country music. As it would turn out, Beyoncé’s usually powerful vocals work in any genre, briefly bringing a rare Southern tinged flavor to the R&B charts.
Who released the ode to apologies, “Sorry?”
When a musician comes to fame as a child, chances are they’re going to make some mistakes in their lifetime that the public isn’t entirely forgiving about. That was definitely the case with the former teen idol who released “Sorry,” an open admission that mistakes were made in the recent past. Granted, this attempt at reconciliation was made to a lover, yet it also happened to coincide an overall serious statement as an artist, suggesting the former light pop star was ready to start getting serious with his music and lyrics.
What album did Fall Out Boy release in 2018?
Kids might not be clouding their high school bathrooms with black mascara quite as much as they used to, but emo bands are still alive and well in various other forms. Forbearers of the genre “Fall Out Boy” eventually grew a bit disillusioned with the “emo” qualifier, taking some time off from music to revamp their image before returning in to prominence with Save Rock and Roll. They continued their transformation to a more traditional pop based rock band on American Beauty/American Psycho, followed by diving even further into the world of electronic dance music with their latest offering.
Which country singer features on Justin Timberlake’s song “Say Something?”
Naming his latest album Man of the Woods, it was clear Justin Timberlake’s actual upbringing as a country boy from Tennessee was going to play a role in his newest music. That reputation was cemented with the album’s third single, “Say Something,” featuring guest vocals from a rising country rocker. Not only did this give Timberlake attention on CMT, but the collaboration also lead to his 19th top 10 single on the pop charts, which was the first such honor for his guest star.
What song did Maroon 5 release with SZA?
Blending driving guitars with bombastic pop choruses, Maroon 5 are the sort of quasi-rock band that doesn’t need to make any concessions to their sound when topping the pop charts. If they can snare a rising R&B or pop star to help them top the charts, though, they’re more than willing to do so. It’s possible this track could have been a hit with or without SZA, especially considering the track marked the guest singer’s first appearance in the top 10, while the band had already been there plenty of times before.
Who won the 2018 season of American Idol?
The way people consume music today, chances are American Idol will never be quite as important to the pop charts as it once was. That said, any fan of the genre is likely to keep up with the world’s most popular singing competition, at least when the seasons wrap up and the winner starts preparing their first album and tour in the national spotlight. Season 16’s winning song “Going Going Gone” has yet to turn the singer into the next Kelly Clarkson, but the foundation has been laid for a follow up that could do just that.