Note: I’m putting quotation marks on “alternative” to signify that I’m not equating it to the actual genre called “alternative rock.”

There’s a “main” culture, which is mostly filled with the dominant and mainstream tops. The genre is usually pop or hip hop, at least for the past two decades.

There’s also an “alternative” culture, which is still well-known and recognized by the mainstream public, but is often placed just second to the dominant genres. It often manifests itself in a certain subculture, but not always.

In the late 90s/early 00s, the “main” was boy bands/girl groups and the “alternative” was pop punk.
In the mid 00s, the “main” was pop and crunk while the “alternative” was emo (and pop punk residue).
In the late 00s/early 10s, the “main” was electropop and the “alternatives” were alternative pop rock and indie (and emo residue).

What “alternative” does the late 10s have that isn’t underground?

All the cool kids listen to K-Pop.  8)

Billie Eilish is considered Alternative and she isn't underground.

All the cool kids listen to K-Pop.  8)

Not me :) I listen to Blümchen who's a Happy Hardcore Techno German singer.

Bedroom pop. By the way, I take a little issue with the “alternative” of the early and core 2010s being alternative pop rock; I would give that more to hipster-y indie and jangle pop.

Idk if folk rock was considered alternative  ???

One of my music genres is Alternative music.

I think I know what you're getting at. I hate to admit it but I'd say bro country might be the main alternative culture of this era. Whatever culture that is cooking up with Billie Ellish seems to be rising tho. I'm noticing more and more "alternative" teen girls. A couple of days ago I caught my niece sporting a Pink Floyd shirt. The only thing I've heard that girl listen to outside of trap and 2010s r&b is late 2000s electro-pop. I've kinda noticed black teens liking rock music is slowly becoming trendy these days.

Idk if folk rock was considered alternative  ???


No, I would say it's pretty established by hindsight that the alternative to Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Owl City was stuff like this:

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No, I would say it's pretty established by hindsight that the alternative to Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Owl City was stuff like this:



I think in general, you could definitely hear more “21 Guns” by Green Day or “Ignorance” by Paramore on the radio in 2008-2010, though I think the quintessential “alternative” sound of 2008-2010 was something more like this:

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Idk what to call it, “soft alternative pop rock” or something? It’s like it’s not entirely 2000s emo nor 2010s indie, but you can hear elements from both.

2008-2010 was very transitional for the alternative cultures imo. People hadn’t f weaned off the emo sound, but at the same time, are having their first taste of that kind of indie.

My alternative music is music from the movies!