Contrary to what most people think it means nowadays, “emo” is the title of a popular rock genre, usually categorized to be more emotional or edgy. Many Gen-Z individuals would classify emo as someone that is “cringe” or “edgy.” Yes, some people who listen to emo music may dress in dark colors and have unstable mental health, but the two are not the same.
You may get it mixed up with other things such as goth or scene. These people dress according to the labels given to them. People classified as goth may dress with messy black hair, dramatic eyeliner, and all-black clothing. Individuals who call themselves scene may have retro hairstyles, childish t-shirts, and dress in enough neon colors to blind an elderly woman.
“Emo” is short for “emotional,” hence why all music surrounding the title is full of heart-string-pulling lyrics and dramatic guitar riffs. This music genre can string off into many different subgenres, such as emo-punk, emo-pop, screamo, and much more. You may have even heard some of these artists without even realizing, like MCR, Fall Out Boy, Blink-182, and Green Day. It’s important to break the social connection between emo and things like self-harm or suicide.
If you look at someone and their clothing style, they shouldn’t be classified as emo. Pay a bit more attention to details. Are they wearing an Invader Zim hoodie and pink striped tights? Maybe they’re dressed in a Nirvana shirt and some ripped jeans.
This popular music style isn’t just a clothing or personality phase, it’s something that genuinely means a lot to individuals who connect deeply with these melodies, and perhaps even produce them. It’s time to appreciate what emo truly is and break its bond from the burden of stereotypes and misconceptions.