The document provides an overview of the genre of pop music, tracing its origins from rock and roll in the 1950s and how it diverged from rock music in the 1960s to become more commercial and accessible. It discusses some iconic pop artists from different decades and how the American and British music industries have influenced pop music globally. The second half focuses on the subgenre of soul music, outlining its origins from gospel and doo-wop and how social and political changes in the 1960s helped enable the popularity of soul music.