Last year, NPR Music ran an audacious headline: "Rihanna Is The 21st Century's Most Influential Musician." Millions and millions of fans the world over agree, and while we try to avoid overt expressions of pop favoritism, we think they’ve got a strong case. It’s for that reason and a dozen others that we were thrilled to welcome Gina Delvac of the hit podcas ... Show More
Nov 3
A unified popstar theory from Tinashe
On her eighth studio album Popstar, the criminally underrated multihyphenate Tinashe finally asserts herself as a Main Pop Girl, crafting a record about what it means to be a celebrity in the modern era. For her, it’s about grinding for years, living in the fantasy, and connectin ... Show More
46m 44s
Oct 27
The 'bummer hope' of midwest emo (ft. Yvette Young and Mike Kinsella)
A few months ago, Nate came across a glittering guitar riff unlike anything he had ever heard before; it managed to perfectly balance careful optimism with plaintive melancholy, stirring the spirit. That melody, played by guitarist Yvette Young, was a shining example of the “midw ... Show More
30m 20s
Apr 2025
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2
It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released a studio album—and fans and critics alike have wondered when, if ever, a follow-up to 2016’s Anti might arrive. Which is ironic, because in her heyday, Rihanna was the most productive hitmaker on the charts.Churning out at least on ... Show More
51m 40s
Apr 2015
Pop Shop Podcast 4/2/15: Rihanna, Natalie La Rose Interview, TIDAL, Zayn Malik
Natalie La Rose stops by to discuss her debut single “Somebody” featuring Jeremih, and before that, Jason and Keith discuss “Uptown Funk!” scoring its 13th week atop the Hot 100; Rihanna’s new single, “Bitch Better Have My Money”; the launch of TIDAL and how it will impact the Bi ... Show More
51m 4s
Aug 2022
Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’: The Speed Round
The conversation continues about one of the year’s most ideologically provocative pop albums, its queer inspirations and its credits. Guests: Naima Cochrane, Vulture's Jason P. Frank, Resident Advisor's Kiana Mickles and Patrik Sandberg. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or ... Show More
1h 15m