514: The Dylan-Chalamet Connection
A conversation about “A Complete Unknown” and the power of celebrity.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
51m Jan 17, 2025
51m
513: Popcast Live! Counting Down Our Favorite Music Moments of 2024
A final look back at some of our favorite characters, trends and micro-moments of 2024, recorded live at S.O.B.’s in New York in December. Plus: IRL listener mailbag!Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 29m Jan 10, 2025
1hr 29m
512: Bad Bunny Interview! His ‘Most Puerto Rican’ Album Yet, Trump Rally Response & L.A. Celeb Problems
Upon the release of his new album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” the world-conquering Latin superstar discusses why it's filled with traditional sounds and rhythms from his homeland.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 2m Jan 05, 2025
1hr 2m
510: Charli! Mk.gee! MJ! Debating the Best Albums of the Year.
A conversation about how peak pop stars are thinking of LPs in an increasingly singles-driven landscape. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
58m Dec 25, 2024
58m
511: André 3000 Interview & Surprise Newsroom Performance!
After a wide-ranging conversation, the rapper-turned-flutist improvised with his band in the newsroom of The New York Times.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 25m Dec 21, 2024
1hr 25m
509: The Messy Modern Music Business, According to Larry Jackson
An interview with the record label veteran and Gamma founder, who has worked closely with Whitney Houston, Drake, Chief Keef and Lana Del Rey.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 48m Dec 13, 2024
1hr 48m
508: Is the Real ‘Wicked’ Movie the Press Tour?
A conversation about the musical’s transfer from stage to screen, and the lead actresses who are bringing new narratives to their roles. Guest: Joe CoscarelliUnlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
57m Dec 07, 2024
57m
507: Kendrick Lamar’s Never-Ending Battles
The Los Angeles rapper returns with his (surprise) sixth album, itching to escape his Drake drama, but still benefiting from it. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 4m Nov 28, 2024
1hr 4m
506: How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?
His first term was marked by backlash and protest. But the president-elect has found new streams of embrace and approval. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
54m Nov 20, 2024
54m
505: Remembering Quincy Jones, a Bridge Between Genres and Generations
A conversation about his long and unique footprint in music, and how he discussed it later in his career. Guest: David Marchese.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
46m Nov 11, 2024
46m
504: ‘Love Is Blind’ Resets, ‘Survivor’ Stalls: A Reality TV Check-in
A palate-cleanse conversation about the state of legacy reality franchises, and what might come next for them. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
1hr 17m Nov 05, 2024
1hr 17m
503: Yeat’s Chart Topper and Rage Rap’s New Wave
A conversation about the mysterious rapper’s rise and the impact of hip-hop’s splintering. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
52m Nov 01, 2024
52m
502: Chappell Roan’s Rocket-Ship Year
The pop star’s ascent has tested the boundaries of contemporary pop, and may create a template for a next generation. Guest: Teen Vogue's P. Claire Dodson.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
50m Oct 21, 2024
50m
501: It’s Touring Season: Chappell, Sabrina and Mk.gee Hit the Stage
A roundup of some of the biggest and most impactful shows on the road this fall, and how live performances can shift the audience’s perception of an artist. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics ...
1hr 4m Oct 11, 2024
1hr 4m
500: P. Diddy
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
1m Oct 05, 2024
1m
499: John Summit Interview! Accountant Turned EDM Superstar on Texting Exes & Not Getting Into Clubs
The dance music superstar and former accountant John Summit speaks on the return of EDM and his rise, from spinning at underground parties to headlining Madison Square Garden and festivals around the world.
59m Sep 25, 2024
59m
498: How Trump and Harris Are Courting Pop Stars (Very Differently)
A discussion about the ways in which musicians and social media stars, both mainstream and more obscure, have figured into the current presidential campaign.
42m Sep 20, 2024
42m
497: Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl, Sabrina Carpenter on Top
Plus: A conversation about the career of Rich Homie Quan, who died last week.
1hr 11m Sep 11, 2024
1hr 11m
496: 21 Questions With Action Bronson (Deluxe)
The rapper and gourmand answers our rapid-fire questionnaire covering the music of his childhood, how he manages stress, his go-to bodega order and more.
32m Aug 15, 2024
32m
495: Who Is Eminem for in 2024?
A conversation about the Detroit rapper’s long and unlikely career as his 12th studio album reaches No. 1. Guests: Jayson Buford and Rob Markman.
1hr 3m Jul 28, 2024
1hr 3m
494: We Ranked Every Taylor Swift Album! (Deluxe)
Two longtime chroniclers of Swift’s career list their favorites — and least favorites — of the singer’s 11 original studio albums so far.
1hr 47m Jul 17, 2024
1hr 47m
493: Will There Ever Be Another Global Pop Icon? (Deluxe)
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?
41m Jun 26, 2024
41m
492: Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ Breakthrough
The pop songwriter’s sixth album is in some ways her most daring release yet. Improbably, it also yielded her best opening week. Guest host: Lindsay Zoladz. Guests: Shaad D'Souza and Meaghan Garvey.
57m Jun 24, 2024
57m
491: What’s an Aging Rapper to Do? Eminem, Drake, J. Cole (& Will Smith!) Adapt (Deluxe)
New songs from Eminem, Drake and J. Cole — plus Will Smith’s post-Slap “Bad Boys” comeback — demonstrate different paths for maturing (or not).
1hr 16m Jun 12, 2024
1hr 16m
490: Julia Fox Interview! on Charli XCX, ‘It Girl’ Songs & Kanye Lessons
The actress, writer and downtown 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.
56m Jun 05, 2024
56m
489: How A.I. Has Changed Music, and What’s Coming Next
Artificial intelligence has become the dominant disrupter to music creation and distribution. And it’s only getting started. Guests: Bloomberg's Rachel Metz and Billboard's Kristin Robinson.
1hr May 30, 2024
1hr
488: Did Dua Lipa Flop? + Miserable Music Movies (Deluxe)
Discussing the imperfect rollout of “Radical Optimism," plus: the recent music movies “Back to Black,” about Amy Winehouse, and “The Idea of You” with Anne Hathaway.
1hr 19m May 29, 2024
1hr 19m
487: Billie Eilish Is Done Hiding (Deluxe)
A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Plus: How Tinashe’s “Nasty” went viral.
1hr 6m May 22, 2024
1hr 6m
486: Kendrick-Drake Beef Ends + Zendaya, Post Malone & Central Cee (Deluxe)
Catching up on the conclusion of rap’s heavyweight fight, Zendaya in “Challengers,” a new Central Cee freestyle and Post Malone’s country single with Morgan Wallen.
1hr 30m May 15, 2024
1hr 30m
485: The Legacy of Steve Albini, Rock’s Uncompromising Force
A conversation about one of the most admired, and divisive, figures in rock. Guest host: Ben Sisario. Guests: The Atlantic's Jeremy Gordon, and Joe Gross.
1hr 11m May 14, 2024
1hr 11m
484: Popcast (Deluxe): How Kendrick Lamar Out-Drake’d Drake
Breaking down the heavyweight rap battle after a weekend of dramatic diss tracks.
1hr 23m May 08, 2024
1hr 23m
483: Popcast (Deluxe): The Best New Taylor Swift Songs. Plus: Chappell Roan & Sabrina Carpenter
Picking the best edited track list for “The Tortured Poets Department” one week later and charting the recent rise of a pair of pop’s middle-class stars.
1hr 24m May 01, 2024
1hr 24m
482: Taylor Swift: The ‘Tortured’ Mailbag
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. Guests: Caryn Ganz and Stereogum's Tom Breihan.
1hr 3m Apr 26, 2024
1hr 3m
481: Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured’ Era
A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift’s “imperial era,” the use of her rumored relationships and production choices.
1hr 21m Apr 24, 2024
1hr 21m
479: Vampire Weekend’s New Album Goes Underground and All Over
Digging into “Only God Was Above Us,” an LP that’s both catchy and complex. Guest host: Jon Pareles. Guests: The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich and Pitchfork's Matthew Strauss.
40m Apr 17, 2024
40m
480: Popcast (Deluxe): It’s Drake vs. Everybody … Who’s Winning?
Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).
1hr 20m Apr 17, 2024
1hr 20m
478: Beyoncé, ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Filling in History’s Gaps
A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them. Guests: Marcus K. Dowling and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd.
1hr 7m Apr 09, 2024
1hr 7m
477: Popcast (Deluxe): Listening to Beyoncé & Future (and the Discourse)
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.
1hr 23m Apr 03, 2024
1hr 23m
476: Lil Jon: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview
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.
1hr 46m Mar 27, 2024
1hr 46m
475: The Justin Timberlake Conundrum
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? Guests: Steven J. Horowitz and Joshunda Sanders.
1hr 1m Mar 26, 2024
1hr 1m
474: Popcast (Deluxe): Is Reality TV in a New Golden Age?
Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.
1hr 21m Mar 21, 2024
1hr 21m
473: Popcast (Deluxe): What’s an Industry Plant Anyway? Plus: Ariana Grande
Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.
1hr 7m Mar 14, 2024
1hr 7m
472: Tate McRae, Dua Lipa and the Fight to Be ‘Main Pop Girl’
A conversation about a title that emerged from stan communities, and how it’s played a role in pop singers’ careers. Guests: Vulture's Jason P. Frank and Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul.
57m Mar 13, 2024
57m
471: girl in red: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview
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.
1hr 15m Mar 06, 2024
1hr 15m
470: Popcast (Deluxe): Is TikTok Done? 4 Crises Holding the App Back
Once addictive and effective, TikTok is struggling with commercialization, a shifting relationship with the music industry and more.
51m Feb 28, 2024
51m
469: Remembering Toby Keith and His Complexities
A conversation about his loudest (and quieter) moments, and how patriotism has played into country music. Guest: David Cantwell.
43m Feb 27, 2024
43m
468: Popcast (Deluxe): Pop Stars vs. the Attention Economy
Jennifer Lopez’s new film and album, “This Is Me … Now,” plus other confusing recent rollouts for pop stars including Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello.
1hr 3m Feb 22, 2024
1hr 3m
467: Covering the Rise of Tracy Chapman
In 1988, “Fast Car” turned the singer-songwriter into a star. She was skeptical of the spotlight, and learning to wield her power. Guest: Steve Pond.
35m Feb 21, 2024
35m
466: Popcast (Deluxe): Usher, Beyoncé and Ye Lead a Busy Week in Pop
Recapping the Super Bowl halftime show, two new singles from Beyoncé, Ye’s “Vultures 1” album and more.
1hr 9m Feb 15, 2024
1hr 9m
465: How Usher Arrived at the Super Bowl Halftime Show
A conversation about his long career path through several generations of R&B, and what he might do on such a big stage. Guests: Thomas Hobbs and Danielle Amir Jackson.
52m Feb 08, 2024
52m