Hyperpop is a microgenre of Pop where pop music gets taken to the extreme, characterized by highly auto-tuned vocals, bombastic production, catchy and repetitive melodies, and a cutesy, intentionally trash style.
The term "hyperpop" originated from SoundCloud's Nightcore scene, though the name wouldn't get associated with its current traits until the rise of A.G. Cook with his PC Music label and fellow collaborators SOPHIE and Charli XCX (who went hyperpop after finding herself displeased with her previous Pop Punk sound), with many critics noting their certain aspects such as a uniquely post-ironic aesthetic and an exaggeration of pop music tropes. Hyperpop took a boost in popularity in 2019 with the critical success of 100 gecs' debut album 1000 gecs and Spotify's addition of a "Hyperpop" playlist, exposing a variety of artists to a wider audience. Several older artists considered influential to the genre, like Rebecca Black and 3OH!3, have even embraced hyperpop, either by making songs going for the sound, guest features on other artists' tracks, or in Black's case, a remix of "Friday" produced by 100 gecs' Dylan Brady (with Dorian Electra, Big Freedia, and 3OH!3 themselves featured). A subgenre of hyperpop hip-hop has also emerged, with artists such as Bladee taking Melodic Rap to goofy extremes.
Artists often categorized as hyperpop:
- 100 gecs (the Trope Codifier)
- 3OH!3 (some of their later material)
- Alice Glass
- Arca
- Farrah Abraham (considered to be a precursor of the genre)
- Rebecca Black (most of her later material)
- Bladee
- Charli XCX (from Vroom Vroom onwards)
- 2017 - Number 1 Angel
- 2017 - Pop 2
- 2019 - Charli
- A. G. Cook (the Trope Maker)
- Hannah Diamond
- Dorian Electra
- ericdoa
- glaive
- gupi
- Kawai Sprite
- 2020 - Chuckie Finster
- Kim Petras
- Caroline Polachek
- PinkPantheress (mixed with Bedroom Pop, Drum and Bass and Indie Pop, among others)
- Rina Sawayama (mixed with Synth-Pop, Alternative Rock, Contemporary R&B, and just about whatever she feels like)
- Slayyyter
- SOPHIE
- Self-Insert
- Vylet Pony (Part of her usual Genre Mashup / Genre Roulette)
Artists that are not hyperpop, but were formative to the genre:
- 3OH!3 (early material)
- Farrah Abraham's only album, My Teenage Dream Ended, has been cited as an early example of the genre owing to its extremely unconventional production style where conventional instrumentation is juxtaposed with harsh and deeply emotional vocals.
- Aqua, whose flamboyant take on Eurodance that mixes high-energy production with satirically vapid lyrics (most prominently exemplified by their 1997 international hit "Barbie Girl") is held up by 21st century listeners as an Ur-Example of hyperpop.
- Britney Spears's 2007 album Blackout was hugely influential on the genre, with its satirical Tabloid Melodrama lyrics, abrasive, distorted production and robotic vocals.
- Rebecca Black's early material.
- Eminem (from The Marshall Mathers LP to Encore!) — in particular, his Villain Protagonist persona, vulgar, disturbing comedy, songs about Tabloid Melodrama and fame, and stylised cartoon voices. His song "Stan" in particular has been cited as an inspiration to many.
- Carly Rae Jepsen
- Kesha
- Max Tundra, an electronic producer whose Genre-Busting albums in the 2000s are considered an Ur-Example of the genre.
- Jenna Rose's "My Jeans", which had a Bile Fascination online fandom in 2010, was cited by 100 gecs as a primary influence. Note its combination of Crapsaccharine World girlishness, Stepford Smiler lyrics about consumerism, and harsh distorted screams.
- Uffie
- Daphne And Celeste, who later collaborated with Max Tundra.
- The Black Eyed Peas and will.i.am during their Pop Rap era, particularly "Check It Out" feat. Nicki Minaj.
- Grimes, especially on records like Visions and Art Angels.
- Sleigh Bells' very abrasive approach to production combined with Alexis Krauss' more Pop-oriented melodies makes them a precursor.
- Crystal Castles, as well as Alice Glass' first solo EP.
