Popcorn (Romanian music style)
Popcorn is a Romanian dance-music style that started in the late 2000s. It mixes Europop and dance-pop with fast house and trance rhythms. The music often uses sharp, quick synthesizers and brass, and some songs include accordions. Most Popcorn tracks were sung in English.
In Romania, dance music grew from the underground scene after the fall of the Ceaușescu regime in 1989, with the Mamaia resort hosting international DJs. Romania joined the European Union in 2007, which helped local artists connect with the wider music world.
One early track is "Sexy Thing" (2008) by David Deejay and Dony, which appeared on their 2010 album and helped name the genre. Producer trio Play & Win helped shape the sound, working with artists like Akcent and Inna. Inna’s 2008 hit "Hot" boosted the style in Europe, and her 2009 album featured more Popcorn songs.
The genre went international with hits like "Stereo Love" by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina, and "Mr. Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan. Popcorn was one of Romania’s main commercial music waves in the early 2010s, alongside hip hop. Its popularity faded after the early 2010s. Other notable artists include Tom Boxer, Antonia, Andreea Bănică, Deepside Deejays, Nick Kamarera, DJ Rynno, Sylvia, DJ Sava and Raluka.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:29 (CET).