If you’ve created a playlist lately and found yourself grooving from rock anthems to pop chart-toppers, you’re not alone. Modern music playlists pull from all sorts of sounds, and a lot of those connections trace back to legendary acts like KISS. Even if you’re building a country or hip hop playlist, there’s a good chance the influence of those wild, facepainted rockers sneaks in somewhere. The way different artists borrow, blend, and bend genres to make something new isn’t just fascinating; it totally changes how we think about our favorite tunes. I’m walking you through how these musical threads weave across genres, with a few fun stories and examples you might not expect.
Tracing the Roots: KISS as a Cross Genre Influence
KISS became famous in the 1970s for their over the top stage shows, catchy riffs, and facepaint. Their hard rock sound might seem pretty specific, but their attitude and musical tricks reach way beyond classic rock. That full on performance style inspired a broad range of artists, not just in rock, but in country, pop, rap, and more. KISS’s “anything goes” spirit helped musicians in all styles feel comfortable mixing in a bit of drama or theatricality, sometimes in subtle ways that listeners might not notice right off the bat.
Plenty of artists have covered KISS songs, but the real influence is in creative freedom, stage energy, and pushing barriers; elements that pop up in unexpected genres, thanks to the groundwork KISS and a few others laid. If listening to your favorite Spotify mix feels like riding a rollercoaster, it’s worth crediting these genre blenders for showing that rules are meant to be stretched.
How Rock Legends Shape Other Genres
Genre walls have gotten thinner over time, and rock, with its big personalities and singalong hooks, has been a go to source for all sorts of artists. Beyond just the music, the rebellious mindset of rock encourages other styles to break out of their boxes.
- Rap and Hip Hop: Groups like Run D.M.C. took rock riffs (just check out their version of “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith) and made those guitar licks a staple in hip hop beats. Attitude wise, the heart of hip hop’s swagger shares a lot with classic rock icons.
- Country: Country stars from the ’80s on up, like Garth Brooks, started borrowing rock guitars, big choruses, and even stage antics from rock bands.
- Pop: Even pop superstars like Lady Gaga have shouted out KISS and other glam rockers for inspiring bold fashion and wild performances.
By the 2000s, it became common to see rock influenced breakdowns in club tracks or hip hop artists bringing in live bands for arena tours; behaviors that didn’t exist before big rock shows paved the way.
Garth Brooks: A Country Star Taking Notes from KISS
Garth Brooks stands out in country music, not just for his hits but for putting on a show. Early in his career, Brooks talked about seeing a KISS concert and realizing how exciting a live show could be. He didn’t want to just stand at the mic; he wanted pyrotechnics, big entrances, and the kind of crowd hype people expected at a rock gig.
This approach changed Nashville, where concerts were traditionally pretty straightforward. Suddenly, you had country acts diving across the stage, smashing guitars, and making every tour stop feel like an event. Garth often said he owed his live show ideas to artists like KISS, and some of his fans even cross over with classic rock crowds. Songs like “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)” are packed with energy and the party vibe you’d expect from a rock band.
The country music establishment in the ’80s was not exactly ready for flames and flying rigs, but Garth’s massive ticket sales made stage spectacle the norm. That’s a pretty wild crossover for a cowboy hat wearing country singer, and it all traces back to seeing Gene Simmons breathe fire in the 1970s.
Other Genre Hopping Examples Worth Checking Out
Mixing genres isn’t limited to country and rock. There’s a huge mix of artists who take slices from different styles, sometimes openly, sometimes behind the scenes.
- Beyoncé uses rock guitars and even covers rock classics on tour, working in choreography and stage effects influenced by both rock and pop legends.
- The Weeknd mixes ’80s new wave, modern R&B, and stadium rock vibes into his production style, nodding to oldschool rockers and contemporary pop alike.
- Post Malone jumps between rap, country, and rock, often performing covers of grunge and heavy metal at his shows, sometimes even jamming with legends like Ozzy Osbourne.
- Lil Nas X famously mixed country with hip hop for “Old Town Road,” and his music videos channel both the swagger of rap and the spectacle of big rock bands.
This playlist building mindset comes from musicians who grew up listening on shuffle, not just to one record over and over. Genre mashing has become just another way to stand out and speak honestly about the mix of influences today’s artists bring to the table.
Tips for Spotting Cross Genre Influences on Your Playlist
Once you know how common these crossovers are, it’s easy to start noticing those subtle (and not so subtle) links in your favorite tunes. Here’s how I like to dig a bit deeper:
- Listen for Signature Sounds: A guitar riff or a drum beat pattern might feel familiar. Classic rock riffs sneak into pop and rap more often than you’d think.
- Check Song Credits: Producers often work across genres. Seeing a name like Pharrell Williams or Max Martin on a country, pop, and rock track is a hint that the sound will cross lines.
- Watch Music Videos: Staging, costumes, and effects might be lifted right from another genre’s playbook. Rock theatrics are everywhere these days.
- Look for Guest Features: Cross genre collaborations are very common. Think about Run D.M.C. and Aerosmith, or Kacey Musgraves working with indie rockers. Even cross genre Grammy performances contribute to the trend.
If you want to get even more out of this, try building your own playlists with a “theme” that cuts across genres—like summer road trip songs or tracks featuring big guitar solos. You’d be surprised by how seamlessly music from entirely different worlds can fit together.
Challenges Musicians Face When Mixing Genres
Borrowing from another genre sounds easy, but mixing styles isn’t always smooth sailing. Musicians deal with audience expectations and critics who sometimes want everything in a neat box. Radio stations and streaming platforms still sort music by labels; even as genres blend more every year.
Sometimes, fans might not be sure what to make of “their” favorite artist suddenly dropping a country rap song or showing up in fullface paint. But history has shown that the risks can pay off. All it takes is one hit for everyone to start following that lead. Just look at how much country music changed after Garth Brooks, or how many modern R&B stars land a Billboard Hot 100 spot with a rock inspired track.
Staying True to Your Roots
Artists often talk about staying authentic, even while experimenting. It’s possible to try out new sounds without losing the essence of what made their fans fall in love in the first place. KISS managed this by sticking with big hooks and singalong choruses, whether they were making disco, glam, or full on metal tunes. The idea is to expand, not erase, the original style. Being honest about your influences and what excites you musically is how new genre blends turn into lasting trends.
Some Cool Ways Genre Blending Impacts Your Daily Listening
- Discoverability: Playlists can move seamlessly from one genre to another, opening you up to music you might never seek out on your own. Algorithms on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music track your tastes and offer up surprising crossovers.
- Event Culture: Concerts pull from all sorts of influences, making every live event feel unique. Productions now mix up light shows, costume changes, and mashup medleys, much like rock concerts of previous decades.
- Community: Finding out that your favorite artist draws on classics from a completely different genre helps music fans build bridges and track down new faves. The crossover moments spark conversations and sometimes even inspire new fan groups.
- Playlist Creativity: You’re not boxed in; add everything from new wave to old country, knowing the musical fits are there. Genre labels are more starting points than limitations for music lovers today.
Blending genres helps keep music fresh and exciting, breaking up old habits and connecting different crowds. Whether you’re listening to a playlist on a workout run or getting ready for a night out, you’ll spot those crossover moments once you start listening for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How did Garth Brooks credit KISS for his stage style?
Answer: Brooks has often talked about watching KISS perform and being blown away by the energy and pyro. He took these elements and added them to country music shows, setting a new bar for live entertainment in the genre.
Question: Are there other country or pop artists who were influenced by KISS or rock bands?
Answer: Absolutely. Taylor Swift has cited classic rock influences. Eric Church borrowed stage design and lighting from rock tours. Even pop star Katy Perry has referenced KISS among her childhood favorites.
Question: Do genre crossovers always work out?
Answer: Not always, but some of the biggest modern hits happen when artists take risks. As the music world gets more connected, audiences are getting more open to blended sounds.