Greatest Pop Stars

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Kyle Denis and Michael Saponara to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in March 2026 — which was largely defined by a pair of massively anticipated returns by arguably the two biggest male pop acts in the world right now. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the spring of 2026. If you enjoy the pod, check out out our Who Won the Month recaps for the first two months of 2026 and all 2025 here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Human Rights Campaign – In Your Area https://www.hrc.org/in-your-area Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After confirming his solo superstardom with 2002's 'Justified' and finding himself in the middle of a cultural firestorm at the 2004 Super Bowl, Justin Timberlake returned in 2006 with an album that raised the bar not only for himself but for all of pop music. On this 2006 Week-themed Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard executive digital director Katie Atkinson to go deep on JT's greatest year, including his LP masterpiece 'FutureSex/LoveSounds,' his smash hits "SexyBack" and "My Love," and even his peerless comedy turn in the "Dick in a Box" SNL digital short. Find our staff's 100 Best Songs of 2006 list here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/2006-songs-best/ And its 40 Best Deep Cuts of 2006 Week here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-deep-cuts-albums-2006/ And the rest of our 2006 Week content here: https://www.billboard.com/t/2006-week/ And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Human Rights Campaign - In Your Area https://www.hrc.org/in-your-area Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's 2006 Week on Billboard.com, which means it's time to flash back to all the biggest artists, songs, albums and stories of 20 weeks ago. We start off with a look at our editorial staff's list of the year's 100 best songs, including classics from Beyoncé, My Chemical Romance, Justin Timberlake and many more. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Eric Frankenberg to discuss our 2006 memories, as well as some of our favorite (and least-favorite) songs on the list, and what kind of place we feel pop stardom in general was in two decades ago. See our staff's Top 100 Songs of 2026 list here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/2006-songs-best/ And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Human Rights Campaign - In Your Area https://www.hrc.org/in-your-area Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last weekend, the music world was taken over by the return of BTS, who ended a four-year hiatus on Friday with 'Arirang,' the group's first new album since 2020 — and then just a day later, with a live show at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, livestreamed globally on Netflix. On this week's Pop Star Performance Review, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's K-pop correspondent Abby Webster to evaluate the massive comeback weekend for the biggest pop group of the past decade, and anticipate what might be coming next for the Bangtan Boys. If you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Human Rights Campaign - In Your Area https://www.hrc.org/in-your-area Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a full decade out of the spotlight in the U.S., Neil Sedaka embarked upon a stateside revival in 1975 — with a valuable assist from a longtime fan in Sir Elton John — and ended up bigger than he'd ever been as a teen idol in the early '60s. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard chart historian (and longtime personal friend of Neil's) Fred Bronson to go deep on the late great pop singer-songwriter's unlikely comeback year, including his own smashes "Laughter in the Rain" and "Bad Blood," and The Captain and Tennille's Sedaka-co-penned "Love Will Keep Us Together." Watch a YouTube playlist of 1975 Sedaka moments discussed on the podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZC-PKM3ysQIZSNz11i1CPz&si=k8p25lrRUx3kmRVO Find Fred's "Writer: Neil Sedaka" Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IZNEa5rlWRqgQJivXOyV2?si=NqeVmc0jTi-QwYvbJAsnZg And order his 'Rockin' the Kremlin' book here: https://rockin-the-kremlin.com/ And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an uncharacteristically long break for Harry Styles, the pop superstar has officially returned with his club-stepping new album, 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.,' his first new set in four years. For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Hannah Dailey and Danielle Pascual as we look at everything surrounding the much-anticipated release of 'Kiss' — including the first two singles and their accompanying music videos, Styles 'One Night in Manchester' release concert, a 'Runner's World' profile and one of the silliest and most overused promo photos in recent memory. Find our Harry Styles 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.' Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbu8Ad-u9v3qTgmDdEWtIdY&si=WWKgmY7ZhITT2M0f Listen to Hannah's self-titled EP on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4w3jOXUHNthb60fIX7Hg25?si=f4d44d7cdf7043d4 And see all our other Rollout Report Card episodes here: https://www.billboard.com/t/rollout-report-card/ Finally, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising And please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Eric Frankenberg and Meghan Mahar to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in February 2026 — which was largely defined by major cultural events like the Grammys, the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the spring of 2026. If you enjoy the pod, check out out our Who Won the Month recaps for January 2026 and all 2025 here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Find our YouTube playlist for our February 2026 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMb5jQgiXfty_cYp8xGHveZh&si=jgIG99ccRuE1WNcW And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He'd been on something of a commercial cold streak in the U.S., but in 1983, David Bowie decided it was time for him to take on MTV-era superstardom — which he did, with the biggest pop year of his career, and the start of a period he later looked back on in anger. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by pop and chart history expert Chris Molanphy following the 10th anniversary of Bowie's death to remember all things about his '83, including the blockbuster 'Let's Dance' album and its chart-topping title track, as well as "China Girl," "Modern Love," his MTV dominance and film dalliances, and an overall year of unprecedented (and ultimately divisive) Bowiemania. Watch a YouTube playlist of 1983 Bowie moments discussed on the podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMY0V68CjOwUVeL5oMCfoopO&si=GdleJqow4BHWZYXM Find episodes of Chris' 'Hit Parade' podcast here: https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charli xcx kicked off what is looking to be an absurdly prolific year at the movies with two film projects already this year: Her self-starring not-quite-autobiographical January mockumentary 'The Moment,' and the Valentine's Day weekend-released latest 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation, with her doing an entire accompanying album. On this week's Pop Star Performance Review, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Kyle Denis to evaluate the year in Charli Cinema thus far, and look forward to the many many trips to the theater still to come with her 2026. Find our YouTube playlist for 2026 Charli Cinema here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaCcT-vSmvUYZ5wAHeBikBd&si=zFYqz4p9U1VNVZGa And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During a crowded past month in pop stardom, one of the most interesting stories has been the unexpected arrival of country signer/songwriter Ella Langley not just as a major new star, but a Billboard Hot 100-topping hitmaker — making her part of an extremely exclusive club of female country artists to go No. 1. This week, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by country journalist Marissa Moss of the excellent Don't Rock the Inbox newsletter to look at how Langley got here, what her success means for country music going forward, and what adjustments the crossover star might have to make in the world of pop stardom. Subscribe to Don't Rock the Inbox here: https://www.dontrocktheinbox.com/ Find Marissa's 'Her Country' exploration of women in 21st century country here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250793591/hercountry/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second straight February, it's our Greatest Pop Star of last year's biggest moment yet! After many months of buzz and controversy — follow Kendrick Lamar's months of buzz and controversy last year — this time it was Bad Bunny's turn to take the stage at Super Bowl LX to cap his last year of triumph, delivering one of the most-anticipated and ultimately mostly hotly debated halftime show sets of our lifetime. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Emily Fuentes to discuss how Bad Bunny rose to the occasion in his biggest global spotlight moment yet, whether or not we approved of his setlist and guest list, if we think he met the moment with appropriate loudness, and how we think he's going to fare on the charts next week in one of our most fascinating Hot 100 showdowns this decade. Watch YouTube of the performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6FuWd4wNd8&pp=ygUUYmFkIGJ1bm55IHN1cGVyIGJvd2w%3D And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Trevor Anderson and Eric Renner Brown to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in January 2025 — which was largely defined by the beginning of massive album rollouts for Bruno Mars, Harry Styles and other big pop names. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the first months of 2026. If you enjoy the pod, check out out our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Find our YouTube playlist for our January 2026 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMb8mZPFJltD9ovK4VuPhlnx&si=omKaF07TcXLFkWhy And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series concludes its top 10 countdown with a look at our No. 1 artist, Bad Bunny. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Isabela Raygoza to talk about Bad Bunny's second year finishing atop our Greatest Pop Stars rankings — with a chart-topping, Grammy-nominated blockbuster album in 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos,' a trio of top 10 hits, a headline-making residency, a whole lot of classic music videos, two film roles, endless TV appearances and his biggest gig of this era still yet to come. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best Bad Bunny 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZddeTanY1cA2KWi0GubDX6&si=1zL5PCBj6_NX_43X And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 2 artist, Taylor Swift. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Denise Warner to talk about Taylor Swift's incredible sixth straight year in the top five of our Greatest Pop Stars rankings — with a full-circle moment in her masters reacquisition, a beyond-historic first week on the Billboard 200 for her 'Life of a Showgirl' album, and plenty more incredible moments serving as crucial checks off the career to-do list for the biggest pop star of the 2020s. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best Taylor Swift 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMYJCylODGk0ADiLpV3Mmzoj&si=c5W32Yum49YhvSyw And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 3 artist, Lady Gaga. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard charts senior analyst/writer Eric Frankenerg to talk about Lady Gaga's return to the top five of our Greatest Pop Stars list — with a chart-topping album on the Billboard 200, a chart-topping hit on the Billboard Hot 100, one of the year's biggest and most spectacular live shows, and a year full of Classic Gaga moments to remind longtime fans (and everyone else) that she's one of the best to ever do this thing. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best Lady Gaga 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMYJCylODGk0ADiLpV3Mmzoj&si=c5W32Yum49YhvSyw And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 4 artist, Kendrick Lamar. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard Hip-Hop's Carl Lamarre to talk about Kendrick Lamar's second straight year in our top five Greatest Pop Stars — as his 2024 dominance just kept rolling through the first half of 2025, with Lamar continuing to top the Billboard charts, score Grammy recognition (for both 2025 and 2026) and find his way to the center of popular culture, much to the delight of everyone except for one particular rapper from the North. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best Kendrick Lamar 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZqZWd0paic8g4tbBNX-LKX&si=PoWwOZ2xjvmafs2G And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 5 artist, Sabrina Carpenter. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Lina Morgan of the Song vs. Song podcast to talk about Sabrina Carpenter's second straight year in our top five Greatest Pop Stars — with another blockbuster album and smash hit lead single, topping Billboard charts and getting Grammy nominations with both, as well as another year of major touring, headline-making and near-total pop culture ubiquity. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Listen to the Song vs. Song Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZPOSfyq3NwIsGGTPY1I10?si=ac6b2e655d974f40 Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best Sabrina Carpenter 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZJXyV1sM9zZKTdvKAGhVE0&si=r0KRHH6INVl10X8R And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 6 artist, KPop Demon Hunters Cast. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard branded producer and social manager Meghan Mahar to talk about the year of the KPop Demon Hunters takeover — with the animated musical not only becoming the most-watched film in Netflix history, but with seven songs from its fictional K-pop groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys becoming IRL smashes, as the movie, its hits and the real-life artists behind them all became global pop culture fixtures of 2025. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Watch Meghan's HUNTR/X Takes Us Out Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1uIi7zPwD0&list=PLwFs58D1XAMbH88Bz85QKc--sl_F9Dvvx&index=7&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB2AYnsAgC Check out a YouTube playlist of all the best KPop Demon Hunters Cast 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbH88Bz85QKc--sl_F9Dvvx&si=t8GyPgkWY9S66wlH And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 7 artist, Tate McRae. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Kristen Wisneski and Michael Saponara to talk about McRae's ascendant 2025 — where she scored her first No. 1s on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200 albums chart, went on a best-selling arena tour, lit up the MTV Video Music Awards, and cemented herself beyond any doubts as one of the still-rising A-list pop stars of her generation. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Tate McRae's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZN95xBXSmJ50BHBR-T3tf_&si=MhReauWUl1OZAMKN And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 8 artist, Morgan Wallen. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's executive editor, West Coast and Nashville Melinda Newman to look at the country's superstar momentum-maintaining 2025 — where he once again set records on the weekly and year-end Billboard Hot 100 with his 37-track 'I'm the Problem' blockbuster, while forging into newfound pop territory with his chart-topping Tate McRae duet and creating one of the year's best accidental memes with "Get me to God's country." Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Morgan Wallen's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbPHSaywPiV9m-qFeFdBJ0R&si=DBsBI7KyOALYovaZ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues its top 10 with a look at our No. 9 artist, Doechii. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by AJ Marks of r/Popheads and the excellent Main Pod Girl podcast to look at the ascendant rapper's breakout 2025 — where she made good on all the most optimistic prognostications about her in late 2024 with multiple breakout hits from her 'Alligator Bites Never Heal' mixtape, a star-making Grammys night in February, and an out-of-nowhere smash that both capped her first half of the year and ended up confusing things a little for her second half. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Listen to Main Pod Girl here: https://mainpodgirl.libsyn.com/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Doechii's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbbd9I4MoYpztelJG1YH5oC&si=yHvMYQOMqWETWiw4 And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series kicks off its top 10 with a look at our No. 10 artist, Tyler, The Creator. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Kyle Denis to look at the veteran rapper's first year making our top 10 — where he pushed forward from an already-huge 2024 with the stunning Chromakopia World Tour, the dancefloor-insistent semi-surprise album 'Don't Tap the Glass,' a full-circle moment alongside the Clipse in that duo's comeback season, and even a long-awaited film debut in the highly acclaimed 'Marty Supreme.' Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Tyler's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbTmgpnlXHcwIwr8hnPiVRf&si=zTdOwvJ_5GM3q4N1 And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues on with a look at our Comeback of the Year artist, the Clipse. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard Hip-Hop's Michael Saponara to dive deep into the Virginia brother duo's insanely triumphant 2025 campaign, where Pusha T and Malice not only recaptured past glories but forged new ones with their rapturously received 'Let God Sort Em Out' album, team-ups with Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator and one of the best album rollouts of the decade. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Clipse's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbVgIUpd7My0A6SUKmBURnf&si=Dz5rl22_oUbNdFQK And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series continues on with a look at our Rookie of the Year artist, Olivia Dean. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard U.K.'s Sophie Williams to dive deep into the British singer-songwriter's impossibly quick-rising 2025 campaign, where she won over hearts on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond with her breakthrough album 'The Art of Loving,' hit songs like "Man I Need" and "So Easy (To Fall in Love)," and near incalculable amounts of charm. Find all our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 essays and podcasts here: https://www.billboard.com/t/greatest-pop-stars-of-2025/ Check out a YouTube playlist of Olivia's best 2025 moments here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbTmgpnlXHcwIwr8hnPiVRf&si=zTdOwvJ_5GM3q4N1 And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 series gets underway with a look at our 10 Honorable Mention artists -- the stars who were great enough this year to get into the discussion but not quite onto our top 10. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by YouTuber Todd and the Shadows as we go over their cases -- and whether we disagree with any of them not making the proper list -- then give shouts to some pop stars who couldn't quite make the cut this year but still deserve mention, as well as some who aren't quite in the discussion yet but could get there by 2026. Check out the Song vs. Song podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZPOSfyq3NwIsGGTPY1I10?si=755431d8ec6a461d&nd=1&dlsi=fee39ca02a584ea0 Watch Todd in the Shadows' videos here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ToddintheShadows Find our YouTube playlist for our 2025 Honorable Mentions pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMan0wM5Vi7OC-3YogD8YMdU&si=4jLn4fNhWBd5xtuT And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Jason Lipshutz and Danielle Pascual to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in December 2025 — which, was largely defined by Mariah Carey making chart history and Taylor Swift marking the 'End of an Era.' We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the first months of 2026. If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Vote in our Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 Poll here: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/greatest-pop-stars-2025-vote-reader-favorites-1236149728 Find our YouTube playlist for our December 2025 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMYtzOLeIhxlNO6BE5OW28c3&si=YNaQ2Jc6vLxXgiDW And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've finally turned the calendar to 2026, and while we're not done looking back at 2025 yet by any means, we're taking a New Year's Day pause to look forward a little. For this first Greatest Pop Stars episode of the year, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard charts senior analyst/writer Eric Frankenberg to offer some New Year's resolutions for pop stars like Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter and Doechii that we'd like to see them commit to in 2026. Then, we also offer some resolution ideas for pop stardom collectively, and also a couple for us ourselves as pop fans. And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In late 2015, Ariana Grande's smooth sailing towards pop superstardom had finally had some slightly rocky waters, so she dropped a surprise release that gave both her sound and her career a little bit of a reset: the six-song EP Christmas & Chill. On this week's Great Moments in Pop Star History episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Kyle Denis — one of our staff's most devout Arianators — to talk about a secretly critical release in Grande's stacked catalog, and a low-key holiday favorite that's aged exceptionally since its release a decade ago. Check out Kyle's 2025 Year in R&B review, as well as his recent Druski cover story: https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rb-not-dead-mainstream-comeback-leon-thomas-kehlani-music-1236139048/ https://www.billboard.com/music/features/druski-number-ones-billboard-cover-story-interview-1236132075/ And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mariah Carey's 1995 was bookended by two different songs that would come to hold the record for the longest-reigning No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 history — and in between, she released one of her biggest albums, scored her greatest uptempo pop hit and changed the game with its remix. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Minnesota Star Tribune writer and longtime Lambily member Chris Hine to celebrate Mariah Carey during the week of her historic 20th week at No. 1 for "All I Want for Christmas for You" by remembering her 1995: The post-"Christmas" year of "Fantasy," "One Sweet Day" and 'Daydream.' Find 'Ant,' Chris' excellent biography of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards, here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/ant-chris-hine?variant=43429930696738 And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's year-end season on Billboard.com! After debuting our year-end charts on Tuesday, our editorial staff unveiled its 50 favorite albums and 100 favorite songs of 2025 on Wednesday and Thursday. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard executive director of music Jason Lipshutz this week to review the top 10s of both lists, and to discuss how some of our greatest pop stars — Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and the KPop Demon Hunters cast among them — fared, and what implications it might have for the 2025 Greatest Pop Stars race. If you enjoy the pod, find our 2025 year-end albums and songs lists here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-albums-2025/ https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2025/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Trevor Anderson and Michael Saponara to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in November 2025 — which, for the second month in a row was largely defined by Taylor Swift and Olivia Dean. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the final months of the year. If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Find our YouTube playlist for our November 2025 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbRkkxLBF0agcFLdEVxTHTF&si=J9WgXNU4U0cqPAOr And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though none are precisely taking over the charts this month, what's most exciting to pop fans this November is a rapid-fire run of new releases from some of the genre's greatest underground-ish luminaries. On this Thanksgiving episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard charts staffer and art-pop fanatic Eric Frankenberg to talk about eight days of exciting new drops from Rosalía, Charli xcx, Robyn and fka Twigs, and what their collective presence means for 2025 pop music — as well as the Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 race. November 2025 Art-Pop YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMYXPeIvf9xvPFl2NchSGm35&si=3v22_sK0VeQJeK8o And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late-'70s, disco lorded over everything, and no artist ruled the clubs like the Bee Gees: The Gibb brother trio reinvented its sound and swarmed the charts, both with their own smashes and hits they helmed for other artists, including their younger brother. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by 'Uncharted Territory' author Chris Dalla Riva to talk about the Bee Gees' absurd 1978 peak — the year 'Saturday Night Fever' and its soundtrack ruled the world, with "How Deep Is Your Love," "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever" and numerous other Gibb-penned classics making for a historic, chart-and-culture-dominating run that not even the disastrous 'Sgt. Pepper' movie could derail. 1978 Bee Gees YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaUinqvtIfa66hvIsAsbPjJ&si=J81589B1bKL6X7TA Buy Chris' 'Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us About the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves': https://bio.site/uncharted_territory?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnVH60dsVVTqbWEOtXV2f4vUxakNUKOiRljMIXut34sQPzevywdw-NRoXOkQc_aem_vxEhkXTH-oVHgGoDlUQrOA And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2012 edition of Coachella was an enormously important one — shifting the festival's musical balances, premiering vital new rising stars and earning its first truly viral pop culture moment with the 2Pac hologram featured in headliners Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's star-studded set. On this week's Great Moments in Pop Star History episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Katie Bain — who just wrote the 'Desert Dreams' book about Coachella — to recall our own memories of the 2012 festival, and how its climactic moment continues to reverberate over a decade later. Buy Katie's 'Desert Dreams: The Music, Style and Allure of Coachella' here: https://geni.us/DesertDreams And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Kyle Denis and Stephen Daw to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in October 2025 — which, spoiler art, was absolutely dominated by Taylor Swift. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the final months of the year ahead. If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Find our YouTube playlist for our October 2025 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMYzWxaQlHOdO2GmvhAaKjml&si=x9oUDOn92fTy-Kkk And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2000, D'Angelo was leveling up from R&B phenomenon to full-fledged crossover superstar, with a chart-topping album and a MTV-dominating video — but nearing pop stardom might quickly proved not the best thing for his art or for his spirit. In this third episode of our Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom mini-series — a spin on our usual Vintage Pop Stardom, with four episodes this month looking at close-but-not-quite pop stars during their biggest years — Vulture's Craig Jenkins helps us look back at the late great D'Angelo during the era of 'Voodoo' and "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," and how he helped briefly define the mainstream before pushing away from it to a degree no one could have quite anticipated. 2000 D'Angelo: In 2011, the worlds of indie and pop were starting to overlap in new and interesting ways — and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the merging universes was Justin Vernon, otherwise known as alt-folk cult phenomenon Bon Iver. In this third episode of our Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom mini-series — a spin on our usual Vintage Pop Stardom, with four episodes this month looking at close-but-not-quite pop stars during their biggest years — Billboard's Kristin Robinson (of the excellent new Billboard on the Record podcast) looks back at Eau Claire's finest during the year when he brushed against pop stardom, both as one of Kanye West's go-to collaborators, and as one of the most-acclaimed, best-selling and most culturally unavoidable artists in all of indie. 2000 D'Angelo Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaFV5ppR8JEQ8z5zPiw5X7I&si=N-RxPcxN65_r9oPD Read Craig's D'Angelo rememberance on Vulture: https://www.vulture.com/article/dangelo-obit.html And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2011, the worlds of indie and pop were starting to overlap in new and interesting ways — and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the merging universes was Justin Vernon, otherwise known as alt-folk cult phenomenon Bon Iver. In this third episode of our Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom mini-series — a spin on our usual Vintage Pop Stardom, with four episodes this month looking at close-but-not-quite pop stars during their biggest years — Billboard's Kristin Robinson (of the excellent new Billboard on the Record podcast) looks back at Eau Claire's finest during the year when he brushed against pop stardom, both as one of Kanye West's go-to collaborators, and as one of the most-acclaimed, best-selling and most culturally unavoidable artists in all of indie. 2011 Bon Iver YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaFV5ppR8JEQ8z5zPiw5X7I&si=N-RxPcxN65_r9oPD Subscribe to Kristin's Billboard On the Record Podcast: https://linktr.ee/billboardontherecord?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac0zcDf0Bb1zs_FmhrZTvyHmNNTSlAycNfqX8CAKhhEkjgmz2PQAdSULlz9Kg_aem_h7A5x-8EankWuBCgfc6y8A And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The long-bubbling Houston rap scene finally took over the mainstream in 2005, getting the entire country invested in tippin’ on four-fours and sittin’ sideways — and the guy who ended up serving as the connective tissue for pretty much the whole moment was The People’s Champ, Paul Wall. In this second episode of our Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom mini-series — a spin on our usual Vintage Pop Stardom, with four episodes this month looking at close-but-not-quite pop stars during their biggest years — Jonny Auping of the My Time Back newsletter helps us look back at the undisputed king of the parking lot during the year of “Still Tippin’,” “Drive Slow” and “Grillz,” as the white rapper-jeweler with the disco ball inside his mouth became one of the most unavoidable figures in popular music. 2005 Paul Wall YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMb63lDlLTnzzXuUCvCQwoJD&si=T73JmQ11k_b-n-Yr Subscribe to Jonny's My Time Back newsletter: https://mytimeback.beehiiv.com/ And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1995, Björk was a phenomenon without a genre, a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who mixed dance beats with rock attitude and pop flair and became a near-household name without scoring any major hits. In this first episode of our Vintage Almost-Pop Stardom series — a spin on our usual Vintage Pop Stardom, with four episodes this month looking at close-but-not-quite pop stars during their biggest years — Lina Morgan of the Song vs. Song podcast helps us look back at Iceland's greatest musical export during her crossover peak, including her classic 'Post' album, unforgettable videos for "Army of Me" and "It's Oh So Quiet" and even a freelance gig writing for Madonna. 1995 Björk YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZyxKrrsXZ6643UOa2BnB1b Follow Lina on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alinaisyou.bsky.social And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a brief break at the beginning of 2025, Taylor Swift is back with what after just a few days of release is already proving to (somehow) be her biggest album yet. For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers and Swifties Meghan Mahar and Danielle Pascual as we look at everything surrounding the breathlessly anticipated release of 'The Life of a Showgirl' — including the accompanying movie and new music video, the many alternate album covers, the deluge of press and critics' takes and of course, the 12 new songs on the actual album. Find our Taylor Swift 'The Life of a Showgirl Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMad1_FNKvdy1hWrvBko_QnQ&si=Ei4ersT-aEi_seya See all our other Rollout Report Card episodes here: https://www.billboard.com/t/rollout-report-card/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Eric Renner Brown and Eric Frankenberg to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who got their last big pop star moments in for September 2025 — before Taylor Swift inevitably takes over shortly into October. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the months to come. If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been seven years since Cardi B aced her debut album rollout with 2018's rapturously received 'Invasion of Privacy' — and at long last, she's finally back with album two, 'Am I the Drama?' For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Kyle Denis and Emily Fuentes as we look at everything surrounding the wait-and-hurry-up promotion of Cardi's long, long-anticipated second album, grading everything from the music videos and live performances to the album's new songs and overall "albuminess." Find our Cardi B 'Am I the Drama?' Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZIe88ZSgVzfM9jQhnFGoGT&si=HUwKfTxIwdgt6T-l See all our other Rollout Report Card episodes here: https://www.billboard.com/t/rollout-report-card/ And please consider donating to the following causes: Transgender Law Center https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ Trans Lifeline https://translifeline.org/ Destination Tomorrow https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5Calls.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. https://5calls.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices