logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
29m 32s

TikTok Killed the Pop Star

The Ringer
About this episode

Taylor Swift’s new album is taking the pop music world by storm—what’s new? But each year fewer and fewer new pop stars are cracking the top 10 according to Billboard. Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the fracturing of the pop music landscape, TikTok’s influence of music discovery, the role of the music label, and the dilution of monoculture in music.


Email us your questions, comments, or ideas at thetown@spotify.com


Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw


Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 22
‘The Traitors’ and How to Craft Hit Reality TV in 2025
Live from the Edinburgh TV Festival in Scotland, Matt is joined by television producer and executive Stephen Lambert to discuss the current state of reality TV, his newest hit, ‘The Traitors,' how to cast reality competition, what streamers are looking for in 2025, how that's cha ... Show More
45m 20s
Aug 20
Why Fox Is Finally Entering the Streaming Wars
Matt is joined by Pete Distad, CEO of Fox's direct-to-consumer streaming platform, to discuss Fox One, the company's first significant foray into streaming, which will offer all of Fox’s news, sports, and entertainment branded content together in one platform. They talk about the ... Show More
32m 27s
Aug 18
The 10 Worst Things to Happen to Hollywood Since 2010
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to look back on the past 15 years in Hollywood and determine which moments were the most detrimental to the industry. In descending order, they each rank and explain their top five moments that had the most meaningful and negative effect o ... Show More
38m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2015
Pop Shop Podcast 3/19/15: ‘Empire’ vs. Madonna, Kendrick Lamar, ‘X Factor’ New Zealand
Jason and Keith discuss the showdown between the Empire season 1 soundtrack and Madonna’s Rebel Heart album on the Billboard 200 chart; Kendrick Lamar’s thrilling new album To Pimp A Butterfly; new Top 10 hits from Sam Smith and Fetty Wap; the Hot 100 debuts of new songs from Mum ... Show More
40m 37s
Jun 2019
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello's 'Senorita' & Why Their Pop Partnership Is So Powerful
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, we discuss Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's new duet "Senorita," and why their pop partnership is such a powerful pairing. Plus, we dive into big chart news from Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, as well as the latest single to be denied No. 1 ... Show More
29m 10s
Jan 2015
Pop Shop Podcast 1/8/15: Ella Henderson Interview, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Bruno Mars
For the first episode of 2015, the Pop Shop Podcast welcomes one of the potential breakout stars of the year: Ella Henderson, whose single “Ghost” was a smash in the U.K. and could be taking over American radio soon. Before that, Jason and Keith discuss Justin Bieber’s impending ... Show More
52m 26s
Jan 2016
Pop Shop Podcast 1/5/16: Music Hopes for 2016 (Taylor Swift! Frank Ocean!), Twenty One Pilots’ Big Chart Gains
On the latest episode, we welcome Time’s deputy culture editor Sam Lansky as a guest co-host. Keith, Katie and Sam talk about a variety of acts that see big gains on the charts in the week after Christmas – including Twenty One Pilots, who fly into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot ... Show More
41m 33s
Jan 2023
Will Beyonce Tour? Will Taylor Swift Re-Record More Albums? Looking Ahead to the 2023 Year in Pop
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Keith & Katie are sharing their pop predictions and new year's resolutions about superstars from Madonna to Lady Gaga and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
25m 38s
Apr 2019
Why We Can't Wait for Taylor Swift & Madonna to Kick Off New Eras at 2019 Billboard Music Awards
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, the team discusses why they can't wait for Taylor Swift and Madonna to kick off new eras at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Plus, the Pop Shoppers are also keen on the rest of the impressive line-up of performers, including Paula Abdul, BTS ... Show More
30m 42s
Feb 2022
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello Plot Their Pop Returns: What We Know So Far
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are no longer together as a couple, but they both seem to be making their way back to pop radio at the same time. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith discuss everything we know about the pop stars’ latest music. Learn more about yo ... Show More
36m 3s
Apr 2016
Jackie Evancho Talks Going Pop; Plus Desiigner's No. 1 & Beyonce's 'Lemonade'
On our latest show, we welcome Jackie Evancho, the 16-year-old classical music prodigy who is dipping her toes in the top 40 waters with her debut pop single "Apocalypse." We talked about why she wanted to venture into pop music, which current pop star is her inspiration and what ... Show More
31m 34s
Feb 2022
Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez & More: A History of Female Pop Stars Overlooked by Oscars
On the latest Pop Shop Podcast, we're taking a closer look at the pop divas who have been passed over by the Oscars throughout the years. Also on the show, we’ve got chart news about how the music of 'Encanto' continues to hold firm atop both the Billboard 200 albums chart and on ... Show More
36m 46s