Music genres are categories that classify different styles of music based on their characteristics, instruments, and cultural origins. Common genres include rock, pop, jazz, classical, and hip-hop. Each genre has its own unique sound, rhythm, and themes, making it distinct from others. Genres can also evolve and blend, creating subgenres like indie rock or synth-pop. Additionally, music genres often reflect the social and cultural contexts in which they develop, influencing and being influenced by trends, technology, and the artists within them.