◦ Multicore processing
◦ 7 global server locations
Winning rhythms: the surprising connection between music taste and game performance
Music and gaming go hand in hand, but could your playlists actually influence how you compete and win? To find out, we surveyed 1,000 video gamers about their listening habits, competitive mindset, and behavior in multiplayer environments.
The findings explore a connection between music preferences and gaming styles, from trash talk and team dynamics to rage quitting and comeback confidence.
Whether you’re headbanging through boss fights or chill-hop grinding in solo queues, your soundtrack might be helping more than you think.
Key findings
- Linkin Park, Nirvana, and Kendrick Lamar are the most popular artists to listen to when gaming.
- K-pop fans have the highest win rate (90%).
- Metallica is the most popular metal band for gaming.
- Metal fans are the most likely to be competitive gamers (14%), followed by EDM fans (13%).
- Rap/hip-hop music fans are the most likely to make a major comeback in a game (88%).
The ultimate gaming playlist: Most listened-to genres and artists
Every gamer has a go-to soundtrack. Whether it’s to boost energy or set the mood, the music playing in the background can define the vibe of any gaming session.
Across music genres, rock was the clear favorite among gamers. Nearly half (45%) said they most often listen to rock music while playing, with Linkin Park, Nirvana, and AC/DC named as the top artists.
Pop music captured 35% of gamers’ listening habits, landing it in second place. The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish dominated this space. Close behind, rap and hip-hop claimed 34% of gamers’ attention, with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Tyler, The Creator most often setting the rhythm.
More than 1 in 4 gamers (26%) liked something heavier and preferred listening to metal while gaming. Metallica led this category, followed by Slipknot and Deftones, bringing that intense energy players craved.
Electronic dance music appealed to gamers who wanted rhythm-heavy intensity, with Avicii, Skrillex, and David Guetta topping the list.
Meanwhile, country music fans stuck with Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Chris Stapleton to soundtrack their gaming adventures.
Who brings the heat How music fans compete, win, and rage quit
Music fans approach gaming in surprisingly different ways. Here’s what we found when we looked at how musical taste connects to gaming habits.
Metal fans were the most likely to be competitive gamers (14%). EDM fans weren’t far behind, with 13% saying their gaming style is more competitive than casual.
Though these gamers are in it to win it, that doesn’t mean they let their emotions overtake them when things get tense. Surprisingly, those most likely to rage quit when a game didn’t go their way were country (32%) and K-pop (30%) listeners.
As for underdog confidence, rap/hip-hop and metal fans had plenty of it. Most (88%) said they often stage a major comeback after falling behind in a game.
And it seems to be working for them, as 89% of rap/hip-hop listeners and 85% of metal fans said they frequently win or place in the top 3 of their favorite game. However, K-pop players were the most winning music fans overall at 90%.
“The soundtrack behind the screen has a measurable impact on performance, mindset, and social dynamics. It’s a reminder that audio environments are not just background—they’re behavioral cues.”
Ryan MacDonald
Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web
How music shapes gaming culture on mic and stream
Music can affect gamers’ playing styles, and it can also drive how they interact with teammates, opponents, and audiences.
Social gameplay was most common among rap/hip-hop fans. About half (49%) usually played with friends or their squad (a close-knit group of regular teammates they game with consistently).
Rap/hip-hop fans also ranked first for trash talking while gaming. This lighthearted, competitive banter is meant to hype up the match or tease opponents in a playful way. It’s generally considered part of the fun, as long as it stays respectful and doesn’t cross the line.
Lo-fi/chill fans leaned toward quieter solo gameplay. Over half (56%) tended to play alone, and these gamers were the least likely to use voice chat to trash talk.
It’s important to note that though this type of communication is part of competitive play, it can cross into harassment when it becomes targeted, harmful, or makes others feel unsafe.
In contrast to lo-fi listeners, EDM fans played loud and led hard. They were the most likely to “shotcall” during multiplayer matches (23%), meaning they took charge by issuing commands or strategic directions to teammates in real time.
Gamers also enjoy watching other players livestream their gameplay and commentary on platforms like Twitch. While rock was the most commonly preferred music on streams, 20% of gamers said they liked it when these videos featured EDM beats.
Conclusion: Soundtracks, skillsets, and strategy
Music plays a bigger role in gaming than just setting the mood. From solo strategists to vocal squad leaders, each genre brings its own rhythm to the game.
Whether you’re streaming, climbing the ranks, or just having fun, your favorite tracks might be doing more than you realize. Next time you queue up a match, consider how your playlist could affect your playstyle and rock on.
“Brands and gaming platforms can leverage this insight to create more personalized, immersive experiences for users.
Gamers, and the companies that serve them, should consider curating sound as intentionally as they do strategy. It’s not just entertainment—it’s a performance enhancer.”
Ryan MacDonald
Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web
Fair use statement
This content is based on proprietary research conducted by Liquid Web and is shared here under fair use for educational and informational purposes. If you reference any part of this article, please provide proper attribution with a link back to the study so your readers can see the findings in their entirety.
Share this content
<a href="https:www.liquidweb.com/white-papers/music-and-gaming-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Liquid Web study on the connection between music and gaming.</a>
Learn more about this study
Game without limits
Host faster. Play harder. Our dedicated game servers are built for elite performance and uptime.
