Mafioso rap Mafioso rap is a hip hop subgenre that uses organized‑crime imagery and cinematic mob motifs to explore ambition, wealth, loyalty and violence within urban narratives.
The Magic Tour (Queen, 1986) Magic Tour Queen's 1986 Magic Tour was the band's final full-scale concert tour with Freddie Mercury, supporting A Kind of Magic across European stadiums and culminating at Knebworth.
Magna Carta... Holy Grail Magna Carta Holy Grail Twelfth studio album by Jay‑Z (2013); notable for its Samsung partnership, high‑profile collaborators, mixed reviews and immediate commercial success.
Magnum Bonum: Swedish pop group from Huddinge Magnum Bonum Magnum Bonum was a Swedish pop group from Huddinge known for several chart hits in Sweden during the 1970s and 1980s, including “Skateboard (LA Run)”, “Marie” and “Lover Boy.”
Mahmood (Italian singer-songwriter) Mahmood (singer) Alessandro Mahmoud, known as Mahmood, is an Italian singer-songwriter noted for blending pop, R&B and Mediterranean influences. He won Sanremo (2019, 2022) and represented Italy at…
Main Source (Canadian–American hip hop group) Main Source Main Source was a Canadian–American hip hop group (1989–1994) known for the album Breaking Atoms, sample-based production, and for featuring Nas’s first recorded verse.
Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard Pop Songs airplay chart) Mainstream Top 40 Billboard's Mainstream Top 40, published as Pop Songs, is a weekly airplay chart ranking the most-played pop songs on a monitored panel of U.S. Top 40/CHR radio stations.
Major Lazer Major Lazer is an American electronic music project known for combining dancehall, reggae, EDM and pop through collaborations, hit singles, and high-energy live shows since the lat…
Major scale (Ionian mode) Major scale The major scale, or Ionian mode, is a seven-note diatonic scale fundamental to Western tonal music. It defines the familiar 'Do–Re–Mi' pattern and underpins harmony, melody, and ke…
Majulah Singapura — Singapore's national anthem Majulah Singapura Majulah Singapura ('Onward Singapore') is the national anthem of Singapore, composed by Zubir Said in 1958. Its official lyrics are in Malay; translations exist in English, Mandari…
Make America Psycho Again Make America Psycho Again is Fall Out Boy's 2015 remix album reworking songs from American Beauty/American Psycho with guest artists, blending pop-punk and hip-hop influences.
Makes Me Wonder (Maroon 5 song) Makes Me Wonder Lead single from Maroon 5's 2007 album It Won't Be Soon Before Long. An uptempo pop-rock track that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was produced by Matt Wallace and Mark…
Malcolm Arnold: English composer of symphonies, concertos and film music Malcolm Arnold Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006) was an English composer known for nine symphonies, numerous concertos, light orchestral works and an Academy Award–winning film score for The Bridge…
Malena Ernman — Swedish mezzo-soprano and crossover performer Malena Ernman Malena Ernman (born 1970) is a Swedish mezzo-soprano known for opera, operetta and crossover projects. She represented Sweden at Eurovision 2009, records widely, and is a member of…
Mama (EP) — EXO's 2012 debut mini-album Mama Mama is the first mini-album by South Korean group EXO, released April 9, 2012 by S.M. Entertainment in Korean and Chinese versions. It introduced EXO's dual-unit concept and debut…
Mambo (music, dance, and Vodou priestess) Mambo Mambo: an Afro‑Latin term with musical and cultural meanings — a Cuban rhythmic style and dance, a bridge section in Caribbean music, and a Haitian Vodou priestess.
Man in Black (song) A 1971 autobiographical song by Johnny Cash that explains his stage persona and protests social injustice; title track of his album 'Man in Black' and a lasting statement of his pu…
Man in the Mirror — Michael Jackson song and cultural legacy Man in the Mirror An overview of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror": its creation, themes of personal responsibility, release from Bad, chart history, live presence and cultural impact.
Man of the Woods (Justin Timberlake album) Man of the Woods Fifth studio album by Justin Timberlake, released Feb 2, 2018; blends pop, R&B and Americana influences. Lead single “Filthy” preceded the album and Timberlake performed at Super B…
Maná (Mexican rock band) Maná Maná is a Mexican rock band formed in Guadalajara in 1986, known for the 1992 album ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?, multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, and enduring international p…
Mando Diao — Swedish rock band from Borlänge Mando Diao Mando Diao is a Swedish rock group formed in Borlänge in 1999. Known for energetic live shows, dual vocals and a mix of garage, indie and classic rock, they record in English and S…
Mandolin: overview, construction, types, history and playing techniques Mandolin A concise encyclopedia entry on the mandolin: its design, parts, tunings, historical origins, main types, playing methods and musical roles in classical, folk and popular tradition…
Mandopop: Mandarin Popular Music (Huáyǔ Liúxíng Yīnyuè) Mandopop Mandopop is Mandarin-language popular music — a major branch of C-pop originating in early 20th‑century China and shaped by Taiwan, Hong Kong and Greater China industry and audienc…
Mango (Italian singer-songwriter) Mango (singer) Giuseppe "Pino" Mango (1954–2014), known as Mango, was an Italian singer-songwriter who blended pop, folk and world music, noted for a high, flexible voice, frequent odd time signa…
Manic Street Preachers Welsh alternative rock band formed in 1986, known for politicized lyrics, dramatic imagery, the disappearance of Richey Edwards, and enduring commercial and critical success from t…
Manon (opera by Jules Massenet) Manon A five-act opéra comique by Jules Massenet (1884), with a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille based on Prévost’s novel; a staple of the French lyric repertory.
Manon Lescaut (Puccini) Manon Lescaut An overview of Giacomo Puccini's four-act opera Manon Lescaut: origins, plot, characters, musical style, premiere and its place alongside other adaptations of Abbé Prévost's novel.
March (music): form, function, and examples March (music) A march is a piece with a regular, accented duple rhythm used for marching, ceremony, and dramatic effect. Covers types, instruments, history, and notable classical and military ex…
March of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan marşı) March of Azerbaijan The national anthem of Azerbaijan, composed by Üzeyir Hacıbəyov with lyrics by Əhməd Cavad; adopted 1920 and readopted in 1992, it is a patriotic march widely used in official cere…
March of the Volunteers The national anthem of the People’s Republic of China, written by Tian Han and composed by Nie Er in the 1930s; adopted in 1949 and used in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.
March On, Bahamaland — the national anthem of the Bahamas March On, Bahamaland Overview, origin, musical and lyrical features, adoption at independence, and the anthem's role in Bahamian life and ceremonies.
Marcha Real (The Royal March) — Spain's instrumental anthem Marcha Real Marcha Real is the historic instrumental anthem associated with Spain, first published in 1761. It has no officially adopted lyrics since 1978; a 2007 public contest failed to prod…
Marching band: structure, styles, history, and performance practices Marching band Comprehensive overview of marching bands: instruments, uniforms, movement, repertoire, organization, styles (parade, field, corps), competitions, safety, and community roles.
Maria Stuarda: Donizetti’s bel canto drama of Mary, Queen of Scots Maria Stuarda Maria Stuarda is a three-act Italian opera by Gaetano Donizetti (libretto by Giuseppe Bardari) based on Schiller’s play. Noted for its dramatic ‘confrontation’ scene and its bel ca…
Mariachi: Mexican ensemble music and cultural tradition Mariachi Mariachi is a traditional Mexican musical style and ensemble characterized by strings and brass, distinct dress, and a repertoire of regional songs, rancheras and popular tunes per…
Mariah Carey (debut album) Mariah Carey (album) The 1990 self-titled debut by Mariah Carey: release details, musical style, chart success, four US number-one singles, and the record's influence on pop and R&B vocals.
Marilyn Manson (band): history, style, controversies, and influence Marilyn Manson (band) American rock band formed in 1989, known for theatrical shock rock, provocative imagery, and albums like Antichrist Superstar and Mechanical Animals; led by singer Brian Warner (Ma…
Mario Bertoncini: Italian Composer, Pianist, and Educator Mario Bertoncini Concise biography of Mario Bertoncini (1932–2019): life, musical style, major works and awards, career as a performer and teacher, and his legacy in contemporary music.
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch American hip hop group from Boston led by Marky Mark (Mark Wahlberg), best known for the 1991 album Music for the People and the hit single "Good Vibrations."
Maroon 5: overview, history, music and impact Maroon 5 Maroon 5 is a Los Angeles–based American pop rock band formed from Kara's Flowers. Known for melodic pop, several charting albums and global singles, the group blends rock, funk an…
Marry the Night A detailed overview of Lady Gaga's single 'Marry the Night': composition, themes, chart performance, music video, and its place on the Born This Way album.
Marvins Room (song) Marvins Room A 2011 downtempo R&B song by Drake known for its late‑night voicemail narrative, minimalist production, and many unofficial remixes and covers by other artists.
Maschine Zeit — fifth studio album by Funker Vogt Maschine Zeit Maschine Zeit is the fifth studio album by German aggrotech band Funker Vogt, noted for its machine-like rhythms, militaristic themes and concentrated blend of EBM, industrial and…
Mash-up (music): blending songs into new compositions Mash-up A mash-up combines two or more pre-existing songs into a single track by layering vocals, instrumentals, or beats. Widely used in DJ culture, it involves mixing techniques, creativ…
Mashina Vremeni (Time Machine): Russian rock band founded 1969 Mashina Vremeni Mashina Vremeni (Машина времени) is one of Russia's longest-running rock groups, known for melodic songwriting that blends classic rock, blues and Russian folk, fronted by Andrei M…
Mass (music): structure, history, and notable examples Mass (music) A choir-based musical setting of the Christian liturgy: definition, parts (Ordinary and Proper), historical development, liturgical vs concert forms, and famous composers and works…
Mass in B minor (BWV 232) by Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B minor Comprehensive overview of J. S. Bach's Mass in B minor (BWV 232): its structure, scoring, origins, musical character, textual language, performance history and lasting significance…
Massive Attack: Bristol pioneers of trip hop and electronica Massive Attack Massive Attack, formed in Bristol, England, are a pioneering electronic music collective known for shaping trip hop, blending hip hop, dub and soul into atmospheric, influential al…
