The article explores the major pop music shifts and cultural changes that occurred in years ending in 4 (particularly during even-numbered decades). From the 1964 arrival of the Beatles in the U.S. to the explosion of Motown, and from Thriller, Born in the USA, and Purple Rain in 1984 to the rise of digital downloads and the dominance of American acts on the charts in 2004, particularly in the realms of pop, R&B, and hip-hop. The unprecedented success of Usher, along with the emergence of Kanye West and the continued influence of established artists like OutKast and Beyoncé, underscored their huge cultural impact, while 2024 offers some significant history of its own.