10 Answers

Since posting your question you will have noticed an upswing in the use of the wonderful American 5 string Banjo in popular music I am pleased to note but I must also state that it truly depends upon the genres of music you are referring to because Bluegrass music is loaded with Banjo riffs and incredible players like Bela Flek .... hellllooooo!

See here >>>http://www.acousticmagazine.com/features/10-banjo-players-to-listen-to-right-now/

AND HERE>>>https://www.youtube.com/user/belafleckbanjo

....too many remember the movie Deliverance .

Ducky

Ding ga ding ding ding.....

Popular enough in my neck of the woods...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIXa1crC73c

Times have changed..>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<..

"Too many strings attached!"

After reading all the replies so far,  I can only conclude that you aren't listening to the correct radio station.....

How about George Formby, still popular today though strictly, his instrument was the banjolele.

if somebody makes a great song or does some type of act that people like, it would make the banjo popular again. give it a try.

Never been an issue :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlO2sVyeTVw

Todays modern music is highly synthesized. There isn't much use of real instruments anymore. It's repetitive and the singers have no harmony.They most sing in real high voices......both the men and the women.