museum of pop culture

The 11 biggest pop culture fads that took the world by storm

By Andrea Ell 11 July, 2023 4 mins read

Pop culture encompasses a wide range of trends and fads, which influence the way that we view the world. From fashion to social media to television, pop culture gives us a look at the current zeitgeist. But why are these fads important and what makes them so special? These are the 11 hottest pop culture trends that have taken the world by storm.

The Walking Dead (2010 - present)

The Walking Dead has become a cultural sensation in the last few years. The show has explored themes such as community, survival and morality. It also provides a sense escapism for its audience.

TikTok (2016-present)

TikTok - a social networking platform - has taken off around the globe. Users can create and upload short videos. This app has become quite a phenomenon. TikTok is a great way to express yourself creatively and connect with other people in an engaging and fun manner.

The Harlem Shake (2012)

The Harlem Shake dance craze was viral and took the Internet by storm in 2013. The Harlem Shake was a silly and fun way to bring people closer together and create an experience that they could share.

Beyonce (2003 - present)

Beyonce is an icon of pop culture who has inspired people from all over. Her music and style broke down barriers and challenged the social norms. She has also used her platform as an advocate for social equality and justice.

Friends (1994).

Friends was one of the most popular television shows in the world. It captured the attention of millions. The show gave us a feeling of familiarity and comfort, and showed the power of community and friendship.

The Hunger Games (2008)

The Hunger Games series of books and movies have become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring readers and viewers around the world. The series explores such themes as power, rebellion, and survival. It is a great tool to encourage critical thought and social awareness.

Stranger Things (2016)

Stranger Things is a TV show that has become a cultural phenomenon in recent years. The show explores topics such as friendship, adventure, nostalgia and more. It has won the hearts of viewers around the globe.

Minecraft (2011)

Minecraft is an online video game that has won over millions of fans around the world. The game allows you to build your own virtual world. It's a great tool to help with creativity and problem solver skills.

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is a revolutionary movie that explores themes like reality, freedom, and identity. The movie had a profound impact on the popular culture. It inspired numerous films and TV series.

The Beatles (60s)

The Beatles were a cultural force in the 1960s, and they changed the face of music forever. The Beatles' music and style has had a lasting influence on popular culture.

Game of Thrones (2011) - 2019

Game of Thrones is a cultural phenomenon which has captivated people around the globe. The show allowed for a sense or escapism as well as a fantasy. It also provided an opportunity to explore complex issues such a politics, morality, and power. It brought people closer together through fandom, shared experiences and discussions.

Pop culture fads will always have a place in our heart because they bring us together, give us a feel of belonging and provide an escape. The fads are a great way to learn about new cultures, perspectives, and ideas. They can also be a good way to bond with others. These cultural touchstones, from Harry Potter to TikTok to Pokemon, have left a lasting impression on us and will continue to do so for many years to come.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions

Why are pop-culture fads so important?

Pop culture fads provide us with a way to explore and connect with other people, as well as new ideas and cultures. They also allow us to escape from the daily grind.

How do pop culture fads benefit us?

Pop culture fads are beneficial because they give us a feeling of belonging, community and escapism. These fads allow us the opportunity to learn about new cultures and explore different ideas.

Can pop-culture fads be harmful?

Pop culture fads can have a negative impact if they promote harmful behaviors or ideas. It is crucial to be aware of the messages promoted by popular culture fads.

How can we use pop culture fads to educate and inspire?

Use pop culture fads as a tool to inspire and educate. They can be used as a means to begin conversations on important issues such as social injustice, equality, or environmental concerns.

What makes a pop culture fad successful?

Pop culture fads are successful when they resonate with a wide audience and have a lasting effect on popular culture. It also needs to be innovative, engaging, and relevant to its audience.

FAQ

What is pop media culture?

Pop culture is all around. Pop culture is everywhere. It surrounds us all day. It influences everything from our clothes, food, music, language, politics, and religion. What is pop culture exactly? Wikipedia says that popular culture, or popular culture, refers only to ideas and products designed to be mass-produced in society. Many people think that this term applies to television shows, movies, music, fashion, and other forms of entertainment. Pop culture encompasses much more than entertainment. Pop culture can be described as anything that is consumed by mass audiences, including video games, toys, clothing and fast food.

Who first coined the term Pop Music

Frank Zappa invented the concept. Pop music was his preferred style.

He stated that he wanted music that was accessible to all. He called his music "pop music".

Zappa also came up with the phrase "You can tell it's popular when ..."". This means that something is very popular if people love it. Michael Jackson's Thriller album, for example, is one of his most popular albums.

Zappa has a different definition of pop music than we do today. Pop music is today all music. Back then, pop music was limited to certain types of music.

Is Tik Tok pop-culture?

Yes! It's no longer just for teens. These short videos can be shared with friends and family to share their emotions, thoughts, and life moments.

The app is used daily by more than 200 million people around the globe. This number is growing by millions every day.

TikTok provides a fantastic opportunity for brands and consumers to build meaningful relationships.

TikTok also has many influencers that have built huge followings. These creators produce original content that engages people around the world.

So, what are you waiting? These are the four best ways to profit from this trend.

Make viral content
Engage Influencers
Use Visuals Effectively
Create with Your Audience

What is popular music culture?

Popular Music Culture is an ever-changing phenomenon that takes many forms.

The use of certain music styles (e.g. jazz, rock) and lyrics is what defines popular music culture. It also includes the influence of visual media (e.g., film, television and fashion) on artists' careers.

It's also about how fans interact with their favorite artists.

A key element of popular music culture are the "superstars", which are musicians who have achieved fame or fortune.

These celebrities often transcend genres to become cultural icons. The evolution of popular culture has been influenced by their popularity.

Other elements of popular music culture include:

* The rise recording technology – from acoustic instruments up to electric guitarists and microphones.

* The invention of the record player and the radio;

* The dawn of rock 'n' roll;

* The introduction TV and film

* The introduction of MTV and VH1

* The creation of the internet.

What examples of pop culture are there in 2020?

The music business is changing rapidly. In fact, this year we saw Billie Eilish (Post Malone) and Travis Scott reach number 1 in Billboard's Hot 100 chart. This was an extraordinary feat for any artist.

The same holds true for streaming services. Spotify reported that it streamed more than 10 billion hours worth of audio content last fiscal year. This is five times more than what Spotify users listened to just five years back!

This has caused a significant shift in media consumption. People now spend most of their time-consuming content rather than creating it.

All age groups, including toddlers and retirees, have access to audio content. This means anyone can record, edit or mix their music and then release it.

To be able to sing your favorite song, you don't need to attend university to study classical instrumentation. Download an app, add your voice, then upload them to YouTube.

If you don't feel like making music, why not just watch? There are countless channels dedicated to making videos of songs ranging from covers to parodies.

How did pop music become popular?

It was an accident. The accident that someone accidentally knocked down a piano in 1920 caused the first song's creation.

The recording company liked the song and decided to release it single.

This was the first hit single.

Pop music has been the most popular form today of musical entertainment.

How did pop culture develop?

Technology was key to the rise of popular culture. As people became more mobile, it developed. The radio revolutionized mass communication. This allowed for the rise of television and the birth of the internet.

People began using computers at home, and were then exposed to computer games. These games were played on consoles like the Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3. You can now download them online for free. Many youngsters now choose to play videogames over watching TV.

Video games are very popular among teens and children. These games can be played solo or with friends over the internet. Call Of Duty or Grand Theft Auto can be very violent. Some parents are worried about their children playing these video games. Others find it thrilling to watch what happens when one of their characters dies.

Music videos are another way pop culture influences youth. They feature celebrities and information about current trends. Many young people love to watch them. It is clear that music plays a significant role in our lives.

Music videos are often made by artists who add special effects to their songs. Rappers often use makeup and hair wigs to enhance their looks. Others put themselves through extreme physical demands to show off their bodies. Many singers sing while wearing costumes.

You have so many choices in music today. You can listen to whatever you like. However, this isn’t always good news. Sometimes music can encourage violence. People can get upset when they hear certain lyrics or words. Sometimes, they even commit crimes.

50 Cent recently experienced this. One line in his song Get Rich Or Die Trying says: "I'm going after a motherfucker / But I don't know how, but I might." This song was thought to mean that he would murder someone. A man called him up and threatened him. 50 Cent changed the lyrics. It now reads: "I'll shoot an inchch down/ I'm not sure why, but I may."

Popular culture is essential. We need to be able to see how it affects our lives. If we don’t know how it affects our lives, we won’t have the ability to protect ourselves from its negative consequences.

Statistics

According to Dictionary.com, popular culture, or low culture as it is sometimes referred to is comprised of the “cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people” (7/21/19). (socialsci.libretexts.org)
Recently, the market share across Western Europe has ranged from 60-75% (Hopewell, 2013). (socialsci.libretexts.org)
For example, the term hater meaning someone who strongly undermines or criticizes others, often due to pathetic jealousy, likely emerged from hip hop culture, such as the term playa hateras, used by influential rapper Biggie Smalls as early as 1995. (simplicable.com)
Yet a Nielsen study shows they account for 42% of the country's most-watched content on streaming services. courtesy Nielsen (npr.org)
According to CNBC.com, “more than 70% of the film's revenue came from countries outside the US” (https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/08/aqua...nal-sales.html, ret. 8/18/19). (socialsci.libretexts.org)