Researchers studying the science of cultural evolution have conducted a comprehensive study of the role of 'first-mover advantage' in music, the power of being first, mirroring the concept's proven importance in the business world. Data collected from nearly one million songs across 110 music genres supports the hypothesis that pioneering artists and bands who lay the groundwork for new genres achieve greater popularity than their later contemporaries. The study provides valuable insights into how success is cultivated in culture and suggests that the first-mover advantage may be a key factor in the evolution of art and culture that has so far been overlooked.