Pop music, is a subgenre of popular music. Pop music may be distinguished from classical or art music and from folk music (Frith 2001, p.94) but since the term spans many rock, hip hop, rhythm and blues (R&B), country, dance and operatic pop acts, it is reasonable to say that "pop music" is a loosely defined category.

The term is also used in a derogatory manner by those who feel that pop acts lack any musically artistic meaning, or in lack of better terminology, represent a betrayal of the traditional sound of either the act themselves or the specific genre to which the act belongs.

Cited from Wikipedia.