Popcorn is a subgenre of dance music that originated in Romania in the late 2000s. It is inspired by Europop and dance-pop, featuring house and trance rhythms and fast tempos. The arrangement is characterized by the use of syncopated synthesizers played in staccato, and brass. [1] Instruments such as accordions were eventually also included in several popcorn songs, which were most commonly performed in English. [1] [2]
In Romania, dance music started growing in popularity in the underground scene after the fall of the Ceaușescu communist regime in 1989. Since then, the Mamaia resort had established itself as a venue for international DJs. Romania's entry into the European Union in 2007 facilitated local musicians' and songwriters' contact with international music. [3] One of the earliest examples of popcorn music is the song "Sexy Thing" (2008) by David Deejay and Dony. [4] It is featured on their 2010 studio album Popcorn, after which the genre is named. [1] [5]
Production trio Play & Win were also invloved in the genre's development and worked on material for Akcent and Inna, among others. [1] [4] The latter's song " Hot" (2008) experienced commercial success in Europe, [4] and was included on her 2009 album of the same name, which featured several other successful popcorn songs. [6] The genre eventually became mainstream internationally, [3] with " Stereo Love" by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina, and " Mr. Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan notably developing into worldwide hit singles. [1] [4] [7] At that time, popcorn music was one of the two main commercial music waves in Romania along with hip hop. [7] The popularity of popcorn music declined after the early 2010s. [1] Other notable artists include Tom Boxer, Antonia, Andreea Bănică, Deepside Deejays, Nick Kamarera, DJ Rynno, Sylvia, DJ Sava and Raluka. [1] [7]
Popcorn is a subgenre of dance music that originated in Romania in the late 2000s. It is inspired by Europop and dance-pop, featuring house and trance rhythms and fast tempos. The arrangement is characterized by the use of syncopated synthesizers played in staccato, and brass. [1] Instruments such as accordions were eventually also included in several popcorn songs, which were most commonly performed in English. [1] [2]
In Romania, dance music started growing in popularity in the underground scene after the fall of the Ceaușescu communist regime in 1989. Since then, the Mamaia resort had established itself as a venue for international DJs. Romania's entry into the European Union in 2007 facilitated local musicians' and songwriters' contact with international music. [3] One of the earliest examples of popcorn music is the song "Sexy Thing" (2008) by David Deejay and Dony. [4] It is featured on their 2010 studio album Popcorn, after which the genre is named. [1] [5]
Production trio Play & Win were also invloved in the genre's development and worked on material for Akcent and Inna, among others. [1] [4] The latter's song " Hot" (2008) experienced commercial success in Europe, [4] and was included on her 2009 album of the same name, which featured several other successful popcorn songs. [6] The genre eventually became mainstream internationally, [3] with " Stereo Love" by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina, and " Mr. Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan notably developing into worldwide hit singles. [1] [4] [7] At that time, popcorn music was one of the two main commercial music waves in Romania along with hip hop. [7] The popularity of popcorn music declined after the early 2010s. [1] Other notable artists include Tom Boxer, Antonia, Andreea Bănică, Deepside Deejays, Nick Kamarera, DJ Rynno, Sylvia, DJ Sava and Raluka. [1] [7]