The title "father of popular music" is not attributed to a single individual, as popular music is a broad and evolving genre that has been shaped by many artists and cultural influences over time. However, several key figures have been credited with laying the groundwork for what we now consider popular music.

One of the earliest influential figures in popular music was Stephen Foster (1826–1864), often referred to as the "father of American music." Foster was one of the first professional songwriters in the United States, and his compositions, such as "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "Beautiful Dreamer," became widely popular in the 19th century. His work helped establish the foundation for American popular music by blending European musical traditions with African-American influences.

In the early 20th century, figures like Scott Joplin, known as the "King of Ragtime," and W.C. Handy, often called the "Father of the Blues," played pivotal roles in shaping the sound of popular music. Joplin's ragtime compositions, such as "Maple Leaf Rag," and Handy's blues standards, like "St. Louis Blues," were instrumental in the development of jazz, blues, and later rock and roll.

The mid-20th century saw the rise of artists like Louis Armstrong, whose innovative trumpet playing and vocal style helped define jazz, and Elvis Presley, who is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll." Presley's fusion of country, rhythm and blues, and gospel music brought rock and roll to a mainstream audience, revolutionizing popular music in the 1950s.

In the realm of songwriting and production, figures like George Gershwin, who bridged the gap between classical and popular music, and Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, were instrumental in shaping the sound and business of popular music. Gershwin's compositions, such as "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Summertime," remain iconic, while Gordy's Motown label produced countless hits and launched the careers of legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye.

The Beatles, often regarded as the most influential band in the history of popular music, brought a new level of creativity and experimentation to the genre in the 1960s. Their innovative songwriting, studio techniques, and cultural impact helped redefine what popular music could be.

In summary, while there is no single "father of popular music," the genre has been shaped by a diverse array of artists and innovators over the years. From Stephen Foster and Scott Joplin to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, each of these figures contributed to the evolution of popular music, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence musicians and audiences today.