Dance-Pop — 1980s Genre Guide

Dance-pop fused disco, synth-pop and R&B into the dominant chart sound of the late 1980s. Explore the genre's biggest stars and singles.

Dance-pop is the post-disco fusion of pop, R&B and electronic dance music that took over the charts in the second half of the decade. Madonna, Janet Jackson, George Michael and Whitney Houston defined its sound and image.

Key artists

• Madonna — The genre's biggest star.
• Whitney Houston — Voice of the era's pop balladry and dance crossovers.
• George Michael — Sophisticated dance-pop both with Wham! and solo.
• Cyndi Lauper — Eccentric, hook-laden dance-pop.