In 1998, Madonna was at a career crossroads. After dominating the ’80s with hits like “Like a Virgin” and “Open Your Heart,” she spent the first half of the ’90s wavering between roles as a provocateur (Erotica, Sex) and adult-contemporary balladeer (“I’ll Remember,” “Take a Bow”). That’s when she took a sharp left turn, working with producers and deejays in ... Show More
May 30
All Apologies Edition Part 2
The story of Nevermind, Nirvana’s genre-defining breakthrough, is a familiar one. Less well known is the saga of Billboard’s Modern Rock chart—and how college-rock staples of the 1980s like R.E.M. and The Cure gave way to heavier, more commercially dominant groups of the ‘90s lik ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2024
Eternal Sunshine of Ariana Grande's Mind
Sidestep the gossip and focus on the music in Ariana Grande’s latest album Eternal Sunshine. The music is an exercise in nostalgia: 70s Disco, 90s R&B, and 00s pop and dance music. As she moves through the musical past, her lyrics tear through past relationship. But it's the way ... Show More
44m 52s
Mar 2022
Listening 2 Britney: I'm a Slave 4 U
In the first three years of Britney Spears’ pop music career, she released annual, consecutive albums. In 1999 we got Baby One More Time – its lead single was #5 on the Billboard year-end Hot 100 chart. In 2000, Oops… I Did It Again generated multiple hits. It’s eponymous single ... Show More
29m 5s
Jun 2022
Beyoncé's House
The world stops with a Beyoncé drop. On Monday, June 20th, our prayers were answered with “Break My Soul,” the lead single off of her upcoming album, Renaissance. The song draws from several places of inspiration: lyrically, it’s a cathartic dance-floor ode to liberation, soundtr ... Show More
32m 18s
Aug 2022
Britney Spears Is Taking Hold of Her Music Career With Elton John 'Hold Me Closer' Duet
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, we're talking about why the pairing of Britney Spears and Elton John makes so much sense and how Elton is having yet another big moment in music, thanks to the top 10 Billboard Hot 100 success of "Cold Heart" with Dua Lipa. Plus, Beyonce top ... Show More
33m 18s
May 2023
Mario Z - Encore Une Fois (Club Mix 2023)
"Encore un Fois" originally captivated audiences in the late 1990s with its infectious beats, uplifting melodies, and memorable lyrics. The track became an instant sensation, earning Sash! international acclaim and solidifying their place in the electronic music hall of fame. Fas ... Show More
4m 37s
Nov 2020
Toxic Tango: Britney Spears vs. Christina Aguilera
For ‘80s babies, Britney and Christina represent the ultimate fan face-off. Originally friends and co-stars on The Mickey Mouse Club reboot in the early ‘90s, by the decade’s end they were pitted against one another in the press and in the charts. On the surface, the comparisons ... Show More
54m 12s