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
Jul 21
II. Justice for the verse (ft. Audrey Hobert)
Everybody sings the chorus, but superfans quote the verse. On this episode of Switched on Pop, Charlie and Nate trace the verse from Shakespeare through opera to TikTok, and songwriter Audrey Hobert shares her philosophy of specific verses and anthemic choruses: you can't have th ... Show More
33m 44s
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