Greatest Pop Stars

Billboard
  • 4.4 (28)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Billboard's weekly deep dive into the past, present and future of pop stardom. New episodes every Thursday.

  1. Top 100 Songs of 2006: What Do They Say About Pop Stardom 20 Years Ago?

    20H AGO

    Top 100 Songs of 2006: What Do They Say About Pop Stardom 20 Years Ago?

    It's 2006 Week on Billboard.com, which means it's time to flash back to all the biggest artists, songs, albums and stories of 20 weeks ago. We start off with a look at our editorial staff's list of the year's 100 best songs, including classics from Beyoncé, My Chemical Romance, Justin Timberlake and many more. Host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Eric Frankenberg to discuss our 2006 memories, as well as some of our favorite (and least-favorite) songs on the list, and what kind of place we feel pop stardom in general was in two decades ago. See our staff's Top 100 Songs of 2026 list here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/2006-songs-best/ 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

    1h 8m
  2. BTS' Comeback Weekend: Pop Star Performance Review

    5D AGO

    BTS' Comeback Weekend: Pop Star Performance Review

    Last weekend, the music world was taken over by the return of BTS, who ended a four-year hiatus on Friday with 'Arirang,' the group's first new album since 2020 — and then just a day later, with a live show at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, livestreamed globally on Netflix. On this week's Pop Star Performance Review, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's K-pop correspondent Abby Webster to evaluate the massive comeback weekend for the biggest pop group of the past decade, and anticipate what might be coming next for the Bangtan Boys. 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

    38 min
  3. 1975 Neil Sedaka: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Fred Bronson)

    MAR 19

    1975 Neil Sedaka: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Fred Bronson)

    After a full decade out of the spotlight in the U.S., Neil Sedaka embarked upon a stateside revival in 1975 — with a valuable assist from a longtime fan in Sir Elton John — and ended up bigger than he'd ever been as a teen idol in the early '60s. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard chart historian (and longtime personal friend of Neil's) Fred Bronson to go deep on the late great pop singer-songwriter's unlikely comeback year, including his own smashes "Laughter in the Rain" and "Bad Blood," and The Captain and Tennille's Sedaka-co-penned "Love Will Keep Us Together." Watch a YouTube playlist of 1975 Sedaka moments discussed on the podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMZC-PKM3ysQIZSNz11i1CPz&si=k8p25lrRUx3kmRVO Find Fred's "Writer: Neil Sedaka" Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IZNEa5rlWRqgQJivXOyV2?si=NqeVmc0jTi-QwYvbJAsnZg And order his 'Rockin' the Kremlin' book here: https://rockin-the-kremlin.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 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

    1h 13m
  4. Harry Styles' 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally': Rollout Report Card

    MAR 12

    Harry Styles' 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally': Rollout Report Card

    After an uncharacteristically long break for Harry Styles, the pop superstar has officially returned with his club-stepping new album, 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.,' his first new set in four years. For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Hannah Dailey and Danielle Pascual as we look at everything surrounding the much-anticipated release of 'Kiss' — including the first two singles and their accompanying music videos, Styles 'One Night in Manchester' release concert, a 'Runner's World' profile and one of the silliest and most overused promo photos in recent memory. Find our Harry Styles 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.' Rollout YouTube playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMbu8Ad-u9v3qTgmDdEWtIdY&si=WWKgmY7ZhITT2M0f 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

    45 min

  5. MAR 5

    Which Pop Stars Won February 2026? Bad Bunny, Ella Langley, Hilary Duff & More

    On this Who Won the Month episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Eric Frankenberg and Meghan Mahar to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who were heard from loudest in February 2025 — which was largely defined by major cultural events like the Grammys, the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics. 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 spring of 2026. If you enjoy the pod, check out out our Who Won the Month recaps for January 2026 and all 2025 here: https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/ Find our YouTube playlist for our February 2026 pop stars here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMb5jQgiXfty_cYp8xGHveZh&si=jgIG99ccRuE1WNcW 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 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

    1h 11m
  6. 1983 David Bowie: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Chris Molanphy)

    FEB 26

    1983 David Bowie: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Chris Molanphy)

    He'd been on something of a commercial cold streak in the U.S., but in 1983, David Bowie decided it was time for him to take on MTV-era superstardom — which he did, with the biggest pop year of his career, and the start of a period he later looked back on in anger. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by pop and chart history expert Chris Molanphy following the 10th anniversary of Bowie's death to remember all things about his '83, including the blockbuster 'Let's Dance' album and its chart-topping title track, as well as "China Girl," "Modern Love," his MTV dominance and film dalliances, and an overall year of unprecedented (and ultimately divisive) Bowiemania. Watch a YouTube playlist of 1983 Bowie moments discussed on the podcast here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMY0V68CjOwUVeL5oMCfoopO&si=GdleJqow4BHWZYXM Find episodes of Chris' 'Hit Parade' podcast here: https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade 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 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

    1h 44m
  7. Charli xcx at the Movies: Pop Star Performance Review

    FEB 19

    Charli xcx at the Movies: Pop Star Performance Review

    Charli xcx kicked off what is looking to be an absurdly prolific year at the movies with two film projects already this year: Her self-starring not-quite-autobiographical January mockumentary 'The Moment,' and the Valentine's Day weekend-released latest 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation, with her doing an entire accompanying album. On this week's Pop Star Performance Review, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard's Kyle Denis to evaluate the year in Charli Cinema thus far, and look forward to the many many trips to the theater still to come with her 2026. Find our YouTube playlist for 2026 Charli Cinema here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaCcT-vSmvUYZ5wAHeBikBd&si=zFYqz4p9U1VNVZGa 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 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

    44 min
  8. Ella Langley Has a No. 1: What Does It Mean For Her, For Country and For Pop Stardom? (With Marissa Moss)

    FEB 12

    Ella Langley Has a No. 1: What Does It Mean For Her, For Country and For Pop Stardom? (With Marissa Moss)

    During a crowded past month in pop stardom, one of the most interesting stories has been the unexpected arrival of country signer/songwriter Ella Langley not just as a major new star, but a Billboard Hot 100-topping hitmaker — making her part of an extremely exclusive club of female country artists to go No. 1. This week, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by country journalist Marissa Moss of the excellent Don't Rock the Inbox newsletter to look at how Langley got here, what her success means for country music going forward, and what adjustments the crossover star might have to make in the world of pop stardom. Subscribe to Don't Rock the Inbox here: https://www.dontrocktheinbox.com/ Find Marissa's 'Her Country' exploration of women in 21st century country here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250793591/hercountry/ 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 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

    1h 10m
See All (104)

4.4
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Billboard's weekly deep dive into the past, present and future of pop stardom. New episodes every Thursday.

Information

  • Channel
    Billboard
  • Creator
    Billboard
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit

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