A cheat sheet of 46 song genres and subgenres for music generators. A list of easy-to-copy/paste prompts for you.
Pop
115 BPM upbeat modern pop, catchy synth hooks, driving four-on-the-floor beat, sparkling and polished production, bright and energetic female vocal, soaring chorus, infectious melody, radio-friendly commercial sound.
Post-Disco & Boogie
Mid-tempo 110 BPM post-disco boogie, stripped-down groove, thick synthesized bassline, crisp analog drum machine, funky rhythm guitar scratches, soulful male vocal with smooth falsetto harmonies, upbeat and danceable club vibe, tight and polished production
Italo Disco
120 BPM classic Italo Disco, heavily sequenced synthesizer melodies, driving four-on-the-floor kick drum, futuristic and slightly melancholic atmosphere, dramatic female vocal with heavy delay, rich chorused synth pads, robotic vocoder backing, nostalgic European dance club energy
Synthwave
90 BPM retro synthwave, neon-soaked cinematic atmosphere, pulsing 80s bass sequencer, massive gated-reverb snare drums, soaring analog synth lead, nostalgic and driving nighttime aesthetic, breathy male vocal with a cool and detached delivery, 1980s action movie soundtrack vibe
City Pop
115 BPM 1980s Japanese City Pop, breezy and sophisticated blend of disco funk and light jazz, bright brass section stabs, slappy bass guitar, sparkling electric piano, smooth and joyful female vocal, affluent urban summer night vibe, lush and pristine orchestration
Rock
130 BPM energetic hard rock, thick distorted rhythm guitars, driving bassline, heavy acoustic drums with crashing cymbals, gritty and powerful male vocal, anthemic chorus, raw and rebellious stadium energy
Post-Punk
140 BPM driving post-punk, cold and angular chorus-drenched guitar riffs, prominent melodic bassline playing high on the neck, rigid and mechanical drum beat, gloomy atmospheric synths, deep baritone male vocal delivering stark and introspective lyrics, dark and brooding energy
Shoegaze
95 BPM ethereal shoegaze, massive wall of sound, heavily distorted and reverb-drenched gliding guitars, buried and hazy drum groove, hypnotic and dreamlike atmosphere, androgynous whispered vocals melting into the instrumentation, dense and emotional sonic wash
Math Rock
150 BPM energetic math rock, complex and shifting time signatures, clean and extremely intricate tapping guitar riffs, punchy stop-start dynamics, nimble and busy drumming, upbeat and bright indie-pop atmosphere, instrumental focus with occasional energetic vocal shouts
Hip-Hop
90 BPM modern hip-hop, heavy 808 sub-bass, crisp trap hi-hats, dark and moody piano loop, aggressive and confident male rap vocal, punchy delivery, swaggering urban atmosphere, trunk-rattling beat
G-Funk
95 BPM classic West Coast G-Funk, slow and hypnotic bouncing groove, deep Moog bassline, high-pitched whining synthesizer lead, laid-back heavy drum beat, smooth and confident male rap delivery, swaggering and cinematic gangsta rap atmosphere, funky rhythm guitar loops
Boom Bap
85 BPM golden era East Coast Boom Bap, hard-hitting and dusty acoustic drum break, chopped and pitched-up vintage soul sample, crackling vinyl texture, gritty underground atmosphere, aggressive and highly rhythmic male rap vocal with intricate rhyme schemes, raw and loop-based
Industrial/Cyberpunk
Industrial Hip-Hop / Electro-Punk, 130 BPM. Crushing distorted bass, relentless electronic drums, metallic synth stabs, and abrasive textures. Features a powerful, experienced female vocal with a subtle Asian accent, delivering confident, aggressive rap/sung lines and defiant shouts.
Electronic & Dance (EDM)
128 BPM festival EDM, massive synthesized bass drops, euphoric and bright synth leads, relentless driving kick drum, energetic and uplifting atmosphere, breathy female vocal building to an explosive instrumental chorus
R&B & Soul
85 BPM contemporary R&B, smooth and sultry electric piano, deep and warm bassline, tight snapping drum groove, incredibly emotive and silky female vocal with lush harmonies, romantic and intimate midnight vibe
Quiet Storm
70 BPM late-night quiet storm R&B, incredibly smooth and mellow groove, lush electric piano chords, sensual tenor saxophone solo, slow and romantic tempo, silky and deeply emotive female vocal with rich harmonic layering, intimate and luxurious midnight atmosphere
Country (The Happy Jamboree)
130 BPM upbeat classic country, fast rolling banjo, bright acoustic guitar strumming, energetic lively fiddle, happy male vocal with a thick southern twang, toe-tapping upright bass rhythm, joyful and cheerful atmosphere, authentic country sound, zero pop
Outlaw Country
110 BPM 1970s outlaw honky-tonk, gritty male vocal with a heavy southern drawl, crying pedal steel guitar, walking upright bass rhythm, traditional acoustic rhythm guitar, shuffling snare played with brushes, sawdust dive bar atmosphere, raw analog recording, zero pop elements
The High-Energy Bluegrass
140 BPM driving bluegrass country, frantic fingerpicked banjo, fast acoustic guitar, rhythmic washboard and snare, high-energy group vocal harmonies, foot-stomping rhythm, bright and lively Americana vibe, unmistakable traditional country
Jazz
140 BPM lively swing jazz, walking upright bassline, energetic acoustic drumkit with ride cymbal focus, blaring brass section, virtuosic piano comping, smooth and sophisticated female vocal, smokey 1940s nightclub vibe
Classical
60 BPM majestic orchestral classical, sweeping and emotional string section, thunderous timpani, triumphant brass fanfare, grand and cinematic atmosphere, soaring operatic soprano vocal, dramatic and highly dynamic arrangement
Classical (soprano aria)
75 BPM classical soprano aria, grand orchestral backing, sweeping string section, expressive and emotional female operatic vocal, soaring high notes, rich acoustic hall reverb, majestic and dramatic atmosphere, cinematic scale
Classical (classical crossover)
65 BPM classical crossover song, warm tenor male vocal, gentle grand piano, lush cello accompaniment, romantic and intimate melody, cinematic string crescendo, deeply emotional and powerful delivery, cinematic soundtrack vibe
Classical Duet
70 BPM classical crossover duet, powerful male tenor and soaring female soprano singing together, grand piano, sweeping cinematic strings, dramatic orchestral crescendo, highly emotional and romantic atmosphere, epic climax, accessible pop structure
Folk & Traditional
80 BPM intimate acoustic folk, intricate fingerpicked acoustic guitar, warm and resonant cello backing, soft and earthy tambourine, gentle and raspy male vocal, raw and vulnerable storytelling, rustic and organic campfire vibe
Latin
105 BPM vibrant Latin pop, infectious reggaeton dembow rhythm, punchy synthesized bass, bright acoustic nylon-string guitar riffs, passionate and rhythmic Spanish female vocal, highly danceable and tropical summer party energy
Reggae & Caribbean
75 BPM classic roots reggae, deep and heavy dub bassline, offbeat skanking guitar chords, relaxed one-drop drum rhythm, soulful and socially conscious male vocal, warm and sun-drenched Jamaican atmosphere
Blues
65 BPM slow and heavy electric blues, crying distorted guitar solos with heavy vibrato, shuffling drum groove, grooving bass, gritty and whiskey-soaked male vocal, deeply emotional and melancholic Chicago bar vibe
Metal
115 BPM heavy metal, thick and aggressive distorted guitar riffs, heavy driving bass guitar, thunderous acoustic drums with prominent double kick drum, gritty and powerful clean male vocal with occasional raspy shouts, anthemic and stadium-filling chorus, loud and dynamic production, rebellious and dark energy
Traditional Heavy Metal
120 BPM traditional heavy metal, galloping bassline, iconic dual electric guitar harmony, driving acoustic drums with heavy cymbal crashes, soaring clean male vocal with high-pitched wails, anthemic chorus, classic 1980s metal production, epic and energetic atmosphere
Death Metal
160 BPM brutal death metal, rapid blast beat drumming, heavily down-tuned and heavily distorted guitars, complex and highly technical song structure, deep guttural demonic growls, dark and aggressive atmosphere, crushing and intense sonic weight, fast and percussive
Black Metal
180 BPM atmospheric black metal, relentless tremolo picking on highly distorted guitars, continuous fast blast beats, high-pitched shrieking vocal, cold and eerie atmosphere, raw and intentionally unpolished lo-fi production, dark and abrasive wall of sound
Thrash Metal
180 BPM aggressive thrash metal, lightning-fast palm-muted guitar riffs, frantic double-bass drumming, raw and unpolished production, furious and energetic, shouting male vocal delivering fast and rebellious lyrics, blistering guitar solo, intense headbanging rhythm
Djent
130 BPM modern djent and progressive metal, heavily down-tuned and aggressively palm-muted elastic guitar chugs, complex syncopated polyrhythms, sharp and punchy drum production, massive atmospheric synth layers underneath, alternating harsh demonic growls and soaring clean male vocals, technical and crushing
Progressive Death Metal
Aggressive progressive death metal, 120 BPM, Complex drums, distorted guitars, deep bass, Female vocal, demonic growls and screams, intense and dark with infernal energy and technical precision
Balkan & East. European Romani
130 BPM Balkan Romani brass band, frantic acoustic accordion, blazing trumpet solos, heavy driving tuba bassline, upbeat and frenetic dance energy, joyful acoustic village celebration, zero electronic instruments
Flamenco (Spain)
100 BPM traditional Flamenco, passionate and gritty Spanish male vocal, intricate and fast acoustic guitar fingerpicking, rhythmic hand-clapping, dramatic and emotional atmosphere, fiery and percussive
Gypsy Jazz (France)
140 BPM acoustic Gypsy Jazz, 1930s swing rhythm, lightning-fast acoustic guitar soloing, driving upright bass, rhythmic acoustic rhythm guitar, upbeat Parisian cafe atmosphere, no drums, purely acoustic
Irish Pub
130 BPM traditional Irish pub song, thick authentic Irish accent, raw male solo vocal, single lead singer, absolutely no group vocals, no backing vocals, fast driving fiddle, lively tin whistle, energetic acoustic rhythm guitar, heavy rhythmic bodhran drum, foot-stomping atmosphere, authentic Celtic folk, zero American pop influence
Irish lament ballad
65 BPM traditional Irish lament ballad, thick authentic Irish accent, pure and ethereal female solo vocal, single lead singer, absolutely no group vocals, no backing vocals, traditional Celtic pronunciation, gentle Celtic harp, haunting Uilleann pipes, slow and mournful acoustic melody, deep emotional resonance, purely acoustic
Arabic Deep Traditional Acoustic
80 BPM traditional Arabic classical music, highly emotional male vocal, complex microtonal singing, intricate acoustic oud, haunting ney flute, steady darbuka drum, deep tarab atmosphere, authentic Middle Eastern maqam scale, purely acoustic, zero Western pop elements
Arabic High-Energy Street Dance
120 BPM energetic Arabic Shaabi music, powerful female vocal, fast and hypnotic darbuka percussion, bright electric saz, driving synthesizer melodies, upbeat street dance rhythm, vibrant and festive Middle Eastern atmosphere, highly rhythmic
Bollywood
120 BPM energetic Bollywood filmi music, joyful and agile female playback vocal, massive driving dholak drum rhythm, sweeping cinematic strings, bright melodic harmonium, festive and vibrant atmosphere, classic Indian cinema sound, zero western pop elements
Traditional Hindustani Classical
70 BPM traditional Hindustani classical, deep male vocal singing complex ragas, intricate acoustic sitar melody, rhythmic tabla drums, steady tambura drone, meditative and spiritual atmosphere, authentic Indian classical phrasing, strictly acoustic, no modern synthesizers
RAP (Melodic) – Prompt + Modified Lyrics
90 BPM hardcore rap, heavy boom bap drum beat, deep sub bass, dry spoken vocal, aggressive male rap delivery, rhythmic scratching, dark urban atmosphere, authentic hip hop, purely spoken word, zero melodic singing
[Spoken Verse 1]
The sun goes down. Shadows fall.
Hear the echoes. Through the wall.
Carried weight. I couldn't hold.
Summer heat. Winter cold.
[Hard Hook]
FIRE. BURNING DEEP INSIDE.
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAKING THROUGH.
Yeah. Walking out to something new.
[Fast Rap Verse 2]
Heavy rain. Bitter wind.
Can't forget. The places I've been.
City lights. Open sky.
Keep on moving. Till I die.
[Hard Hook]
FIRE. BURNING DEEP INSIDE.
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAKING THROUGH.
Yeah. Walking out to something new.
[Beat Drop]
Time is ticking. Clock spins around.
Look to the sky. Tied to the ground.
HEAR MY VOICE. CALLING OUT.
TEARING IT DOWN. REMOVING DOUBT.
[Instrumental Scratch Break]
[Hard Hook]
FIRE. BURNING DEEP INSIDE.
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAKING THROUGH.
Yeah. Walking out to something new.
[Acapella Outro]
Out in the night. Catch the spark.
Leave a mark. In the dark.
BREAK THE CHAINS. BREAKING THROUGH.
Walking out. Something new.
[End]
RAP – Prompt + Asymmetrical Lyrics
90 BPM spoken word hip hop, slam poetry over heavy boom bap, aggressive spoken delivery, strictly rhythmic talking, raw underground cypher, zero melody, no singing, dry vocal, gritty urban beat
[Spoken Word Intro]
Yeah. Look.
Sun's dropping down... watch the shadows just fall.
I'm hearing every single echo bleeding right through this wall.
[Verse 1]
Listen, I've been carrying this weight, man, stuff I couldn't even hold.
Through the boiling summer heat. Through the freezing winter cold.
It's heavy.
Yeah.
[Rhythmic Hook]
Fire. It's burning deep down inside me.
Got nowhere left to run. Got nowhere to hide, see?
I'm breaking these chains, yeah, I'm finally breaking through.
Stepping out the front door. Walking into something new.
[Verse 2]
Heavy rain falling down, feeling that bitter wind blowing.
Can't forget the past places I've been, but I know where I'm going.
City lights blinding me. Open sky above my head.
I'm gonna keep on moving forward till the day that I'm dead.
Look.
[Rhythmic Hook]
Fire. It's burning deep down inside me.
Got nowhere left to run. Got nowhere to hide, see?
I'm breaking these chains, yeah, I'm finally breaking through.
Stepping out the front door. Walking into something new.
[Beat Drop]
Time keeps ticking on. Clock just spins around.
Looking up at the sky but my feet are chained to the ground.
Hear my voice now. I'm calling it out loud.
Tearing the whole thing down. Removing every single doubt.
[Outro Cypher]
Out in the night. Catch the spark.
Leave my mark out here in the dark.
Yeah.
Breaking the chains. Breaking through.
Something new.
[End]
