Lead Instuments in Different Genres
Different decades and genres' main musical focus was on specific instruments. In the 20s, 30s, and 40s, there were horn sections. Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and the like. The 50s focus was on piano and a bit of guitar. Think Little Richard, Fats Domino. Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. Chuck Berry paved the way for rock and roll guitarists. The 60s and 70s rock scene was highly focused on electric guitar and keyboards were a bit more in the background. Hendrix and Clapton were the foremost guitarists who brought the instrument to the forefront.
Now, 808s and low bass are prominent in hip-hop. Hi-hats are a main staple, too. How many different beats can you make switching these elements up? It's endless. These sounds are mainly produced by artists with music software. These sounds are not instruments at all. They are created with music software virtual instruments called plugins. Nor is there a band recording together in a room with real instruments.
Hip-hop is the most popular genre in music right now, so we rarely hear music played on actual instruments. I embrace most music. I like and have listened to Hip-Hop. It's all good. I do miss the analog days, though.