Bands and artists who created (or promoted) a new musical style

Kraftwerk is a pioneering electronic music band, formed in 1970, who laid the groundwork for genres like techno and EDM with their minimalist approach and innovative use of technology.

Black Sabbath is widely considered the pioneering band of heavy metal, defining the genre's sound and aesthetic with their heavy, dark riffs.

The Ramones are considered pioneers of punk rock, as they defined a raw, direct, and fast-paced sound that inspired thousands of bands that followed. Their self-titled debut album in 1976 became a landmark album that established punk as a musical genre.

The Sex Pistols are considered pioneers of British punk, starting a musical and cultural movement with their raw music and defiant attitude.

This group is fundamental in the development of hip hop, being pioneers in the use of turntablism and rhythm mixing, which defined a new musical style.

Run-D.M.C. is a pioneering band that fused hip hop with rock, bringing rap to mass audiences and creating a new musical style that broke barriers.

Public Enemy redefined hip hop in the late 1980s with their avant-garde sound and combative political message, launching the political hip hop subgenre. Their innovative use of samples and Bomb Squad production created a unique style that profoundly influenced subsequent music.

Juan Atkins is considered one of the founding fathers of techno and the "Initiator" of the genre, pioneering experimentation with synthesizers and drum machines in Detroit.

Frankie Knuckles is considered the godfather of house music, a genre he defined and popularized from his booth at The Warehouse in Chicago. His innovative mixing style laid the groundwork for modern electronic music.

Larry Levan was a pioneering DJ who laid the groundwork for New York's garage house scene at the Paradise Garage. His immersive mixing style and influence on club culture make him a pivotal figure in the creation of new musical styles.

Brian Eno is a pivotal figure in the creation and promotion of ambient music, coining the term and defining the genre with iconic albums like "Ambient 1: Music for Airports." His innovative approach to sonic texture and atmosphere laid the groundwork for countless subsequent artists.

King Crimson is considered one of the pioneering bands and pillars of progressive rock, having driven the genre forward with its experimental approach and fusion of diverse musical styles.

Fela Kuti is widely recognized as the creator and driving force behind Afrobeat, a musical genre that fuses funk, jazz, and Yoruba rhythms. His innovative style and political activism defined the African music scene in the 1970s.

Bob Marley popularized reggae worldwide, creating a distinctive sound that fused ska, rocksteady, and African rhythms, influencing countless artists and subsequent genres.

The Smiths pioneered indie pop, merging introspective lyrics and melancholic melodies with a pop sensibility that influenced countless bands thereafter. Their unique sound and aesthetic set a new direction in British alternative music.

Nirvana is widely recognized as the band that popularized grunge worldwide, defining the movement's sound and aesthetic. Their album "Nevermind" was a landmark that changed the music industry and paved the way for other bands in the genre.

Aphex Twin is a central figure in electronic music, a pioneer of IDM and known for his experimental and eccentric approach that has influenced countless artists.

The Chemical Brothers are pioneers of the Big Beat genre, fusing electronica with elements of rock and hip-hop to create a distinctive sound that defined the 1990s.

Massive Attack is considered one of the fathers of trip hop, a genre they helped define and popularize in the 1990s. Their innovative sound, originating in Bristol, laid the groundwork for many artists to follow.

Rosalía has revolutionized global music by uniquely fusing flamenco with pop and urban sounds, creating a distinctive style that has fueled a new musical genre.

Wire's Chairs Missing is a seminal album that fused punk energy with more complex sonic and lyrical experimentation, laying the groundwork for post-punk. Its focus on unconventional structures and dissonant atmospheres propelled a new direction in late 70s rock music.