Podcast
Greatest Pop Stars
Hosted by Billboard · EN
Billboard's weekly deep dive into the past, present and future of pop stardom, hosted by deputy editor Andrew Unterberger. New episodes every Thursday.
46episodes
Episodes
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World Cup 2026 With Shakira, Justin Bieber & Oasis: Pop Star Performance Review
5d ago01:12:45Tap to summarizeFor the past month and a half, the entire world was tuned into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the exciting tournament action soundtracked by some of our most massive global pop stars — particularly at Sunday's final, with the star-studded Cup halftime show. On this week's Pop Star Performance Review episode, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard UK's Thomas Smith to recap six weeks of big games and big stars, with particularly notable performances by Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS, and a chart-crashing official-unofficial England anthem from Oasis. 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
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1996 Fugees: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Angel Diaz)
2w ago01:22:36Tap to summarizeWhen The Fugees broke out with sophomore album 'The Score' in 1996, it marked a transition moment in '90s hip-hop, while crossing over from rap radio to top 40 and MTV and making solo stars out of each of its three members — though they never reconvened for a proper follow-up. This episode of Vintage Pop Stardom sees host Andrew Unterberger joined by Billboard Hip-Hop writer and New Jersey native Angel Diaz as we discuss how The Fugees absolutely defined a moment in time, and how unfortunate it is that they never really got another such moment together. Check out a YouTube playlist of the biggest Fugees moments of 1996, all of which are discussed in the episode, here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOxVzu-uaaj8&si=-FEQ0ohtBfleD0X9 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
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Madonna's 'Confessions II': Rollout Report Card
3w ago01:10:45Tap to summarizeIt's been 21 years since the original 'Confessions on a Dancefloor' — and seven years since her last album of any kind — but as of last weekend, Madonna is officially back with her long-awaited sequel set, 'Confessions II.' For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Joe Lynch and Eric Frankenberg as we look at everything surrounding the much-anticipated release of 'Confessions II' — including the first three singles and the 'Confessions' mini-movie, as well as Madonna's surprise Coachella appearance, a number of memorable interviews and one of the albumiest pop albums in recent memory. Find our Madonna 'Confessions II' Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwT_7v7d2-Q&si=NFxIS2sIO6hElrKn 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
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Which Pop Stars Won June 2026? Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande & More
4w ago00:40:30Tap to summarizeOn this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Xander Zellner and Emily Fuentes to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in June 2026 — which, like most of the first half of the calendar year, was dominated by some very big releases by some very big 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 second half 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
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40th Birthday Thanks + RIP Clive Davis
Jun 2500:06:28Tap to summarizeNo full episode of Greatest Pop Stars this week: It's host Andrew Unterberger's 40th birthday, so he's taking it a little easy. Instead, he's just taking a minute today to express his gratitude to still be able to do Greatest Pop Stars — and to still be as invested in and connected to pop music as he's ever felt — and to pay quick tribute to the late Clive Davis, someone who remained an industry mover and passionate pop fan right up until the very end. Full episodes resume next week — and in the meantime, 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
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Olivia Rodrigo's 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love': Rollout Report Card
Jun 1801:09:34Tap to summarizeThree years after releasing her sophomore album 'Guts,' pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo has officially returned with her new wave-influenced, chronicling new album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.' For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Hannah Dailey and Eric Frankenberg as we look at everything surrounding the much-anticipated release of 'Pretty Sad' — including the first two singles and their accompanying music videos, Rodrigo's surprise Primavera festival pop-in, her infatuation with The Cure and one of the most extensive media rollouts in recent memory. Find our Olivia Rodrigo 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjyxjlx5MpVAOM54cumcwQY9XZ2MDvh7s&si=ZT6IMPs9EGf6onZg 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
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1997 Spice Girls: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Shakey Graves)
Jun 1102:03:22Tap to summarizeWhen the Spice Girls hit U.S. shores in 1997, they detonated on impact, with best-selling albums, chart-topping singles and even a box office-topping movie — a movement that was too phenomenal to last, but one that still transformed the entire decade's pop music and pop culture. This episode of Vintage Pop Stardom sees host Andrew Unterberger joined by singer-songwriter, actor and unlikely Spice Boy Shakey Graves, as we discuss his new album 'Fondness, Etc.' for about 15 minutes and then dive into all things Spicemania, recalling everything about the all-too-brief period when the Girls known as Ginger, Scary, Sporty, Posh and Baby really seemed like they had total world domination in their sights. Check out a YouTube playlist of the biggest Spice moments of 1997, all of which are discussed in the episode, here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjyxjlx5MpVBNL231wcYXEoJxm96c2Uza&si=7NQ_2EmuDmVL3848 Buy or stream Shakey's excellent new album 'Fondness, Etc.' here: https://shakeygraves.komi.io/ 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
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Which Pop Stars Won May 2026? Drake, Ella Langley, Noah Kahan & More
Jun 400:44:57Tap to summarizeOn this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Kyle Denis and Rebecca Milzoff to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in May 2026 — which was largely defined by one guy with his triple album drop, but also included a couple big country stars and pop legends getting fans excited about new and old releases. 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 summer 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
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Song of the Summer 2026 Preview (with AJ Marks)
May 2801:13:32Tap to summarizeIt's late May, which means that the race for Song of the Summer is about to be officially underway! With many of the likely frontrunners already established — and some big artists about to cast their lot with much-anticipated new releases — Greatest Pop Stars host Andrew Unterberger is joined by AJ Marks of r/Popheads and the Main Pod Girl podcast to preview the battle to come. We talk about the heavy hitters — led by Ella Langley, Drake and Olivia Rodrigo — while also giving a few minutes for a few longshot contenders and some of our perfect-world picks. Find a Spotify playlist of some of AJ and Andrew's personal summer favorites here: https://mainpodgirl.libsyn.com/ Subscribe to Main Pod Girl here: https://mainpodgirl.libsyn.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 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
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Drake's 'Iceman' Triple-Album Release: Pop Star Performance Review
May 2100:57:52Tap to summarizeThe entire music-listening and social-media-habitating world was stormed this past weekend by the man who calls himself Tsunami Papi, with Drake dropping three new albums at once: 'Iceman,' 'Maid of Honour' and 'Habibti.' On this week's Pop Star Performance Review episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is enjoyed by Billboard Hip-Hop's own Big Three — Carl Lamarre, Michael Saponara and Angel Diaz — to analyze what the triple-release means, how it's been received thusfar by the online masses, and what it might do to finally take Drake out of the precarious position he's been in for the past two years. 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
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