Music

Bass Generation — studio album by Basshunter Bass Generation Bass Generation is the fourth studio album by Swedish electronic musician Basshunter, released 25 September 2009. It continues his Eurodance style with club-oriented, synth-driven…

Bass guitar The bass guitar is a fretted or fretless electric string instrument that provides low-pitched foundation and rhythmic drive in many musical styles, using distinctive construction,…

Bass-baritone: voice type, history, repertoire, and notable singers Bass-baritone A bass-baritone is a low male operatic voice that sits between baritone and bass. This article explains its vocal qualities, history (notably Wagner), typical roles, and well-known…

Basshunter discography: albums, singles and notable releases Basshunter discography Comprehensive overview of Swedish electronic artist Basshunter’s recorded output, including studio albums, compilations, singles, remixes, chart highlights and notable collaboratio…

Bassist: role, instruments, techniques and history Bassist A bassist plays the low-pitched foundation of music, using instruments such as the bass guitar or double bass. This article covers instruments, techniques, historical development,…

Basso continuo: continuous bass accompaniment in Baroque music Basso continuo Basso continuo (continuo) is the written bass line with figures that guided improvised chordal accompaniment in Baroque ensembles, realized by keyboard, plucked and bass instrument…

Bassoon: overview, construction, repertoire and distinctive features Bassoon A detailed encyclopedia entry on the bassoon: its design, parts, playing technique, range, historical development, orchestral and chamber roles, and distinctions between German and…

Bastanak — Elissa’s fifth studio album Bastanak Bastanak (Arabic: بستناك, “Waiting For You”) is the fifth studio album by Lebanese singer Elissa. Released in the mid-2000s, it brought widespread commercial success across the Ara…

Bastille (English band) Bastille (band) Bastille is an English indie pop/rock band formed in London in 2010, known for the hit single “Pompeii”, their debut album Bad Blood, theatrical live shows and a blend of electroni…

Bathory (debut album) Bathory (album) Debut studio album by Swedish extreme metal act Bathory, released in 1984. Noted for its raw production and early influence on the black metal sound and underground metal scenes.

Bathory (band) — Swedish extreme metal pioneers Bathory (band) Bathory was a Swedish extreme metal band formed in 1983 by Quorthon. Their early records shaped Scandinavian black metal and later helped create viking metal; they released 12 stud…

Battle of the Bands: format, history, and cultural impact Battle of the Bands A Battle of the Bands is a musical contest where multiple groups compete for prizes, exposure, or contracts. This article explains formats, judging, history, typical prizes, and no…

Battle rap (rap battling) Battle rap Battle rap is a competitive hip-hop performance where rappers exchange insults, wordplay, and improvised verses to win an audience or judges. It combines lyrical skill, stage prese…

Bauhaus (English gothic rock band) Bauhaus (band) Bauhaus were an English band formed in Northampton in 1978. Pioneers of gothic rock, they combined stark production, bass-driven melodies and theatrical vocals to shape post-punk a…

BBC Introducing BBC Introducing is the BBC’s network and online platform that discovers, broadcasts and supports unsigned, self-released and emerging musical talent across the UK.

BBC Proms: Britain's Summer Classical Music Festival BBC Proms The BBC Proms is an annual summer season of concerts in London, combining orchestral, chamber and contemporary music with affordable standing tickets and national broadcasts.

BBC Radio 1Xtra — UK digital station for contemporary Black and urban music BBC Radio 1Xtra BBC Radio 1Xtra is a UK digital radio station launched in 2002 to showcase contemporary Black and urban music. It complements Radio 1 with specialist shows, new-artist support, and…

BBMak (English pop rock trio) BBMak BBMak was an English three‑member pop rock group formed in 1999, known for the singles “Back Here” and “Still on Your Side” and for selling more than three million albums worldwide…

Be Good to Me — Ashley Tisdale song Be Good to Me Pop song by Ashley Tisdale from her debut album Headstrong, issued as an early promotional release in late 2006. The album recording includes rap vocals by David Jassy.

Beastie Boys American hip hop group formed in 1981; influential for mixing punk, rap and rock. Best known for Licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique and members Mike D, MCA (Adam Yauch) and Ad-Roc…

Beat (music): pulse, meter, and rhythmic accents Beat (music) The beat is the basic pulse that organizes rhythm and tempo in music. This article explains what beats are, their components, notation, historical context, uses, and common pattern…

Beat Crusaders — Japanese rock band Beat Crusaders Beat Crusaders, formed in 1997, were a Japanese rock group known for wearing masks, writing most songs in English, and blending power pop, melodic hardcore and digital rock.

Beat It — Michael Jackson song Beat It “Beat It” is a rock‑influenced pop single written and performed by Michael Jackson for Thriller. Noted for Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo, its anti‑violence theme, iconic video and…

Beat the Bastards (The Exploited album) Beat the Bastards Beat the Bastards is the seventh studio album by Scottish punk band The Exploited, released in 1996; noted for a heavier hardcore sound, confrontational lyrics and mixed critical r…

Beatboxing: vocal percussion, techniques, history and uses Beatboxing Beatboxing is the art of producing percussive, rhythmic sounds using the mouth, lips, tongue and voice. It imitates drum machines, turntables and other instruments and has roots in…

Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song) Beautiful (song) Powerful pop ballad from Christina Aguilera's 2002 album Stripped, written by Linda Perry. Celebrated for its message of self-acceptance, award-winning performance, and broad cultu…

Beautiful Dreamer — Stephen Foster's lullaby-like ballad and its legacy Beautiful Dreamer A concise overview of Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer”: its origins, musical features, reception, and lasting role in American popular and parlor-song traditions.

Beautiful Inside (Louise song) Beautiful Inside Pop single 'Beautiful Inside' by English singer Louise, released 30 October 2000 from the album Elbow Beach. It uses a Syl Johnson sample and reached number 13 on the UK singles ch…

Beaux Arts Trio — influential piano trio (1955–2008) Beaux Arts Trio Internationally celebrated piano trio founded in 1955 by Menahem Pressler, Daniel Guilet and Bernard Greenhouse; noted for long service, acclaimed recordings and a major role in 20…

Bebop (Bop): Origins, Characteristics and Influence Bebop Bebop is a fast, improvisation-led style of jazz that emerged in New York in the 1940s, marked by complex harmony, rapid tempos, small groups, and pioneers such as Charlie Parker a…

Because (Beatles song) A concise, neutral overview of the Beatles' song 'Because': its composition, distinctive nine-voice harmony, origins, recording on Abbey Road, and its place in the band's late-peri…

Because of You — Kelly Clarkson song Because of You Overview of Kelly Clarkson's 2005 single "Because of You": composition, themes, release, chart impact, the 2007 duet with Reba McEntire, and the song's legacy and live presence.

Because We Want To (Billie Piper song) Because We Want To Debut single by British singer Billie, released in 1998 from the album Honey to the B. A teen pop hit that reached UK number one and was associated with the 1999 Women's World Cup.

Because You Loved Me — song by Celine Dion Because You Loved Me Overview, origins, composition, chart success and legacy of Celine Dion’s 1996 power ballad “Because You Loved Me,” written by Diane Warren and featured on Falling into You.

Beck, Bogert & Appice Short-lived hard rock power trio featuring Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, remembered for a self-titled studio album and a live record that showcased virtuosic blues‑rock…

Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973 studio album) Beck, Bogert & Appice (album) Self-titled 1973 studio album by the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice, blending hard rock and blues influences; the group's only studio release, followed by a live album and a brie…

Bedtime (song) “Bedtime” is a 1998 promotional R&B single by American singer Usher from his 1997 album My Way. Issued as the album's fourth single, it reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot R&B/H…

Before I Forget (song) A 2004 single by Slipknot from Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), noted for its blend of heavy riffing and melodic chorus; winner of the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

Beginnings (Ambrose Slade album) Beginnings is the debut 1969 studio album by Ambrose Slade (later Slade). It failed to chart; the US release was retitled Ballzy and included different artwork. The album features…

Behemoth (Polish extreme metal band) Behemoth Polish extreme metal band formed in Gdańsk, noted for evolving from raw black metal into a polished blackened death metal sound and for influencing Poland's extreme metal scene.

Behind the Front — debut album by Black Eyed Peas Behind the Front Behind the Front is the Black Eyed Peas' 1998 debut, an alternative hip hop record rooted in conscious lyrics, live instrumentation, and material from the group's earlier incarnati…

Behind the Mask (song) Synthpop song by Yellow Magic Orchestra, written by Ryuichi Sakamoto for a Seiko commercial (1978), expanded for Solid State Survivor (1979); English lyrics by Chris Mosdell and la…

Bel canto: the Italian art of beautiful singing Bel canto Bel canto is an Italian-derived singing style emphasizing smooth legato, agility and balanced tone across registers; central to early 19th-century Italian opera and revived in the…

Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Major Serbian symphony orchestra founded in 1923. Overview of its history, repertoire, organization, notable collaborations, post‑1990s revival and cultural role in Belgrade and th…

Believe (Justin Bieber album) Believe is Justin Bieber's third studio album, released in 2012. It marks a move toward mature pop with R&B and electronic influences, produced several hit singles and reached numb…

Believe (The Chemical Brothers song) A 2005 single by English electronic duo The Chemical Brothers from the album Push the Button. Released in May 2005, the single peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.

Bell (instrument and signaling device) Bell A bell is a hollow percussion instrument that produces sound when struck. Bells are used musically, in religious and civic rituals, for timekeeping, and as signaling or alarm devic…

Bell Biv DeVoe American vocal group formed in 1989 by three New Edition members; noted for the 1990 hit "Poison" and for blending R&B, hip hop and new jack swing.