It is the "modern man's" equivalent of the Grove Dictionary of Music, which Larkin describes in less than flattering terms.

Aided by a team of initially 70 contributors, he set about compiling the data in a pre-internet age, "relying instead on information gleaned from music magazines, individual expertise and a hideous amount of legwork".

[4] In 1997, Larkin's company, along with the Encyclopedia, was sold to the data company Muze Inc. (the UK name was changed to Muze UK), because Larkin wanted "to guarantee its future" in the fast changing world of information and communications technology.

He became full-time editor-in-chief on the project, running a "surprisingly small scale cottage industry", stating "There are now fewer than 10 contributors on the team...People don't believe it's done on such a small scale, but in terms of words we are producing an Agatha Christie novel a month..."[4] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music covers popular music from the early 1900s, including folk, blues, country, R&B, jazz, rock, heavy metal, reggae, electronic music and hip hop.

The nature of popular music and jazz is such that it is ever changing, evolving and growing and therefore needs a new edition much more frequently than more static subjects.