Popcast

In a moment of success for newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, is there still a path to becoming a true cross-platform pop superstar?

The pop songwriter’s sixth album is in some ways her most daring release yet. Improbably, it also yielded her best opening week.

New songs from Eminem, Drake and J. Cole — plus Will Smith’s post-Slap “Bad Boys” comeback — demonstrate different paths for maturing (or not).

The actress, writer and New York icon discusses her post-Kanye career, what it’s like to see her past go viral and the history of “It Girl” pop songs.

Artificial intelligence has become the dominant disrupter to music creation and distribution. And it’s only getting started.

Discussing the imperfect rollout of Dua Lipa’s latest album, “Radical Optimism,” and the recent music movies “Back to Black” and “The Idea of You.”

A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

Catching up on the conclusion of rap’s heavyweight fight, Zendaya in “Challengers,” a Central Cee freestyle and Post Malone’s single with Morgan Wallen.

Breaking down the heavyweight rap battle between the two rappers after a weekend of dramatic diss tracks.

Picking the best songs from “The Tortured Poets Department” one week later. Plus: the rise of a pair of pop’s middle-class stars.

Answering your questions about the sound and substance of the pop superstar’s double album, and the way fans and critics have responded to it.

A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” her “imperial era,” rumored relationships and production choices.

Digging into “Only God Was Above Us,” an LP that’s both catchy and complex.

Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).

A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them.

How conversation about very specific aspects of the new albums “Cowboy Carter” and “We Don’t Trust You” can obscure talk of their musical quality.

An in-depth interview with the Atlanta hip-hop and EDM legend, tracing his path through punk, skateboarding and crunk music on the way to this year’s Super Bowl.

His sixth solo album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” has been met with critical dismissal and weaker sales. Where can the onetime pop superstar turn next?

Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.

Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.

A conversation about a title that emerged from stan communities, and how it’s played a role in pop singers’ careers.

An interview with the Norwegian singer girl in red (Marie Ulven) about her second album, “I’m Doing It Again Baby!,” opening for Taylor Swift and more.

Once addictive and effective, TikTok is struggling with commercialization, a shifting relationship with the music industry and more.

A conversation about his loudest (and quieter) moments, and how patriotism has played into country music.

Jennifer Lopez’s new film and album, “This Is Me … Now,” plus other messy rollouts for pop stars including Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello.

In 1988, “Fast Car” turned the singer-songwriter into a star. She was skeptical of the spotlight, and learning to wield her power.

Recapping the Super Bowl halftime show, two new singles from Beyoncé, Ye’s “Vultures 1” album and more.

A conversation about his long career path through several generations of R&B, and what he might do on such a big stage.

Was this the year the awards got it correct?

A breakdown of the major categories and most interesting competitions at the 66th annual awards on Sunday.

A breakdown of new albums and songs for 2024 (and a handful of possible but dubious releases).

With the music website’s future uncertain, Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie look back at its start.

A rundown of impressive recent releases and a look at who benefits (and suffers) when artists working outside formal jazz idioms are lumped into conversations about the genre.

Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives.

Plus: Barry Keoghan’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Jeremy Allen White’s stripped-down moment and Nathan Fielder’s “The Curse” wraps up.

Concerts paused during the height of the pandemic, and returned at full power in 2023. Our pop music editor saw a lot of them.

The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching.

The comedian and podcaster known as the Kid Mero on the year in internet domination, including Ice Spice, Keith Lee, the Weeknd, Kai Cenat and more.

The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs.

An emotional conversation with one of the year’s biggest breakout stars about turning his life around and transitioning from Southern rap to country hitmaking.