Pop Shop Podcast – New Every Tuesday

When Usher was announced as the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show headliner over the weekend, the conversation on social media was a mixture of excitement and surprise — with some questioning whether it’s been too long since the R&B/pop superstar had a hit.

While his last Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit was more than a decade ago (“Scream” peaked at No. 9 in 2012), it’s impossible to argue with the man’s overall legacy. He’s racked up nine No. 1s on the Hot 100 and 18 top 10s; he’s scored eight Grammys from 23 nominations; and in the years since that last top 10 hit, he’s been a frequent visitor to Billboard‘s R&B charts and has mounted two beloved Las Vegas residencies.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about all the reasons the R&B/pop superstar makes total sense for next year’s big game — from his precise choreography to his overall showmanship to his undeniable nearly 30 years of hits.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Drake lands his 12th No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Slime You Out,” his new collaboration with SZA. Plus, Rod Wave becomes only the second artist with a new No. 1 album in each of the last three years on the Billboard 200, as Nostalgia debuts atop the list. And finally, music icon Willie Nelson adds a new chart accolade to his very deep list of achievements, as he notches his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart. You might be surprised by how many other genre charts Nelson has visited over the years — tune in for our full recap.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

Maren Morris has been a country hitmaker since her 2016 breakthrough “My Church.” But last week, she released a pair of new songs — “The Tree” and “Get the Hell Out of Here” — along with a mission statement that makes it clear she’s no longer interested in playing by the rules of country music.

“These two songs are incredibly key to my next step because they express a very righteously angry and liberating phase of my life these last couple of years, but also how my navigation is finally pointing towards the future, whatever that may be or sound like,” Morris said in a press release. “Honoring where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved in country music, but also freely moving forward.”

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are looking at other recent examples of stars working outside country — Taylor Swift’s explicit pop pivot, Kacey Musgraves bypassing the establishment, Zach Bryan charting his own course — and how they’ve all found their own lanes beyond the genre. Morris herself has already found success outside country, with her Billboard Hot 100 top five hit “The Middle” with Zedd and Grey (also a seven-week No. 1 on Pop Airplay) and her crossover hit “The Bones,” which topped the Adult Contemporary and Adult Pop Airplay charts.

Listen below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Olivia Rodrigo doubles up at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 albums chart and the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with her new GUTS album and its single “Vampire,” how Fleetwood Mac is back on the Billboard 200 with a new archival live album, how friend of the podcast Josh Groban can be heard on a new No. 1 album on our Cast Albums chart, and how rising jazz star Laufey makes a splash on the Billboard 200 and atop our jazz charts with the largest debut for a jazz album in nearly two years.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

Beyoncé played three sold-out nights at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., over the holiday weekend — and Billboard was there for all three shows.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, we’ve put together a roundtable discussion about the trio of concerts with Gail Mitchell, Billboard‘s executive director, R&B/hip-hop; Cat Johnson, Billboard‘s business development and talent relations manager; along with your two regular Pop Shop hosts Katie & Keith. Katie attended Friday night, Gail and Keith attended Monday night, and Cat attended all three nights and covered the shows (read her Friday/Saturday recap and birthday concert recap now).

Listen to our full discussion below to hear about all the surprises, all the standout moments, and all the silver, sparkly fashion.

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Zach Bryan takes over the top of both the Billboard 200 albums chart and Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, thanks to his new self-titled album and its breakout track “I Remember Everything,” featuring Kacey Musgraves. It’s Bryan’s first No. 1 on both charts and Musgraves’ first Hot 100 No. 1 (and top 10!) too. Plus, Miley Cyrus’ “Used to Be Young” debuts straight into the top 10 on the Hot 100, marking her 12th top 10 hit.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

This past Friday, we got new music from three of the biggest child TV stars-turned-pop superstars ever: Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande.

Gomez put out the carefree pop song “Single Soon,” Cyrus released the reflective ballad “Used to Be Young,” and Grande put out a 10th-anniversary digital deluxe edition of her debut album Yours Truly. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are breaking down the trio of releases — and reflecting on just how impressive their transitions from kids’ TV to the top of the pop charts have been.

Listen below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Travis Scott’s Utopia makes it a month at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Plus, Hozier debuts in the top 10 with his latest release Unreal Unearth, while J-Hope’s Jack in the Box hits the top 10 for the first time — a year after its original release. Meanwhile, over on the Billboard Hot 100, Oliver Anthony Music’s viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” holds at No. 1, while Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” rushes into the top 10 for the first time.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

The 2024 Super Bowl isn’t until Feb. 11, and while we don’t know who will perform at the halftime show yet, we know at least one person who won’t: Ed Sheeran.

The singer/songwriter did an interview with Andy Cohen last week and when he was asked about headlining the Super Bowl, he suggested he’d be better as a halftime guest than the main attraction. “There was a conversation a while ago — I think it was when Coldplay did it — of me going up to play ‘Thinking Out Loud,’” he recalled of the 2016 halftime show. “I think that would be the only way I’d do it, is if I was joining someone else.”

Someone else he might join would include friend and frequent collaborator Taylor Swift — but reports last week said she’s turned down the 2024 halftime show. And anyway, it would be pretty challenging for Swift to pull off that date with her international Eras Tour dates taking her to Tokyo from Feb. 7-10 and then straight to Australia for a Feb. 16 concert.

So who will follow up Rihanna’s headlining set and play Super Bowl next year? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are checking in to see who Billboard readers are picking in our Super Bowl fan poll and to make some suggestions of our own — including a possible Trolls-fueled *NSYNC reunion.

Listen to the full show below:

Also on the podcast, we’ve got chart news on how the viral hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony Music storms onto the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart at No. 1. The previously unknown artist — who had never been on any Billboard chart until this week — now has the most popular song in America, following wide media coverage and strong sales and streaming numbers. Plus, friend of the podcast Kylie Minogue returns to the Pop Airplay chart for the first time in nearly two decades, as “Padam Padam” debuts on the chart. What was her last single to chart on Pop Airplay, and when did it happen?

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

On her new song “bad idea right?,” Olivia Rodrigo tries to talk herself out of a late-night reunion with her ex — with “talk” being the operative word.

The latest taste of Rodrigo’s upcoming sophomore album GUTS (due Sept. 8) dropped last week, and the verses and chorus are almost exclusively spoken, with only a melodic pre-chorus sprinkled in. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking all about the new song and about past tunes that feature more talking than singing.

Listen here:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how SZA’s “Snooze” hits the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for the first time — bringing one of its writers and producers, friend of the podcast and all-around music legend Babyface, back to the top 10. Plus, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” lingers for a 16th week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, tying for the second-most weeks atop the list, but it was down in airplay, streams and sales last week — so could the song’s reign be nearing an end? If so, who could take the top slot? And on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Travis Scott’s Utopia becomes the first rap album to spend its first two weeks at No. 1 in nearly two years.

Katie & Keith are also chatting about Taylor Swift’s onstage announcement that 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is coming on Oct. 27 and what we’re expecting from the superstar’s fourth re-recorded album.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

It’s the first day of August, which has us thinking about Taylor Swift’s timely song “August” from her 2020 album Folklore.

Folklore was surprise-released on July 24, 2020 — so just ahead of August that year — and in the Augusts since, we’ve seen the song re-emerge on various Billboard charts timed to the month. Last year, “August” returned to the Alternative Streaming Songs chart, re-entering at No. 21 in the July 29-Aug. 4 tracking week. It also made its first appearance on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts in August 2022. Also last year, it hit No. 1 on the LyricFind U.S. and LyricFind Global charts, for its first week atop both lists, as everyone searched for August-appropriate lyrics.

All of this got the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast wondering: What other big month-themed songs are there out there? And does every month have its own Hot 100 hit? Plus, Swift’s “August” has so far peaked at No. 23 on the Hot 100 — the week of Folklore’s release — but what is the highest-charting month hit ever?

Listen to Katie & Keith’s full discussion on this week’s Billboard Pop Shop Podcast below to find out all the answers to those questions and more:

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)

Since the end of the 13-year conservatorship that controlled her personal and professional lives, Britney Spears has released two new songs: her “Hold Me Closer” duet with Elton John last year and, on Friday, “Mind Your Business” with will.i.am.

On the latest Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about the new (or at least newly released) song and what Britney’s fans are expecting from the pop star now that she’s calling the shots.

Listen to the new episode below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how BTS’ Jung Kook debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Seven,” featuring Latto — scoring both acts their first No. 1s — while Jason Aldean notches his biggest Hot 100 hit ever, as the much-talked about “Try That in a Small Town” debuts at No. 2 following the controversy around its new music video. Plus, over on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) holds firm at No. 1 in its second week of release — the first of Swift’s re-recorded albums to spend its first two weeks at No. 1.

We’re also remembering the career and legacy of Tony Bennett, who died last week at age 96 after seven decades of recorded music.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)