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- Duration: 4:20
- Published: 09 Oct 2009
- Uploaded: 05 Apr 2011
- Author: insoldier
Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production values and backing by top studio musicians. In later eras the girl group template would be applied to disco, contemporary R&B;, and country-based formats as well as pop.
A distinction is made here with girl bands, in which females also play instruments, though this terminology is not universally followed.
Since the late 1990s, as J-Pop has become more popular outside of Japan (thanks largely to the Internet), Japanese girl groups such as Speed, Morning Musume, and AKB48 have achieved a degree of cult status within certain communities and social groups, especially those associated with Japanophilia. Morning Musume currently holds the position as the best-selling female artists in Japan according to Oricon statistics, however Speed sold a total of 20 million copies alone in Japan in just three years before disbanding.
Girl groups are still very popular in South Korea. Girls' Generation is SM Entertainment's highest selling girl group. Other successful girl groups include Kara, Brown Eyed Girls, and 2NE1. JYP Entertainment's Wonder Girls became the first Korean group to have a single reach the Billboard Hot 100.
American girl group Pussycat Dolls were popular worldwide. Recently, in an article they were crowned as the 'Mother of Female Bands' as their sucess is witnessed worldwide. Till up to date they are the most successful female band.
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