Popcast

Breaking down the heavyweight rap battle between the two rappers after a weekend of dramatic diss tracks.

Picking the best songs from “The Tortured Poets Department” one week later. Plus: the rise of a pair of pop’s middle-class stars.

Answering your questions about the sound and substance of the pop superstar’s double album, and the way fans and critics have responded to it.

A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” her “imperial era,” rumored relationships and production choices.

Digging into “Only God Was Above Us,” an LP that’s both catchy and complex.

Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).

A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them.

How conversation about very specific aspects of the new albums “Cowboy Carter” and “We Don’t Trust You” can obscure talk of their musical quality.

An in-depth interview with the Atlanta hip-hop and EDM legend, tracing his path through punk, skateboarding and crunk music on the way to this year’s Super Bowl.

His sixth solo album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” has been met with critical dismissal and weaker sales. Where can the onetime pop superstar turn next?

Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.

Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.

A conversation about a title that emerged from stan communities, and how it’s played a role in pop singers’ careers.

An interview with the Norwegian singer girl in red (Marie Ulven) about her second album, “I’m Doing It Again Baby!,” opening for Taylor Swift and more.

Once addictive and effective, TikTok is struggling with commercialization, a shifting relationship with the music industry and more.

A conversation about his loudest (and quieter) moments, and how patriotism has played into country music.

Jennifer Lopez’s new film and album, “This Is Me … Now,” plus other messy rollouts for pop stars including Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello.

In 1988, “Fast Car” turned the singer-songwriter into a star. She was skeptical of the spotlight, and learning to wield her power.

Recapping the Super Bowl halftime show, two new singles from Beyoncé, Ye’s “Vultures 1” album and more.

A conversation about his long career path through several generations of R&B, and what he might do on such a big stage.

Was this the year the awards got it correct?

A breakdown of the major categories and most interesting competitions at the 66th annual awards on Sunday.

A breakdown of new albums and songs for 2024 (and a handful of possible but dubious releases).

With the music website’s future uncertain, Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie look back at its start.

A rundown of impressive recent releases and a look at who benefits (and suffers) when artists working outside formal jazz idioms are lumped into conversations about the genre.

Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives.

Plus: Barry Keoghan’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Jeremy Allen White’s stripped-down moment and Nathan Fielder’s “The Curse” wraps up.

Concerts paused during the height of the pandemic, and returned at full power in 2023. Our pop music editor saw a lot of them.

The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching.

The comedian and podcaster known as the Kid Mero on the year in internet domination, including Ice Spice, Keith Lee, the Weeknd, Kai Cenat and more.

The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs.

An emotional conversation with one of the year’s biggest breakout stars about turning his life around and transitioning from Southern rap to country hitmaking.

Our critics debate their year-end lists (and agree on SZA, Olivia Rodrigo and 100 gecs!) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs.

Discussing the singer’s new concert film that documents the Renaissance World Tour, interspersed with behind-the-scenes looks at how it came to be.

A conversation about K-pop’s long march to American awareness, and the potential risks of that embrace.

Is it possible for rappers to age gracefully? Where are the new stars? A discussion on the state of the genre and where it may be heading.

The acclaimed rapper’s first solo album contains no rapping. What does this sharp creative turn reveal about its maker?

Taking viewer and listener questions on hot topics in pop music.

Dissecting the contenders for the 2024 Grammy Awards, including top nods for SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, boygenius, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Jon Batiste.

A conversation about the 22-year-old singer, songwriter and producer’s new album and the art of sampling.

A conversation about Sofia Coppola’s impressionistic take on Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s relationship, plus: the surprising depth of a reality TV spinoff.

Revisiting the rustic mainstream sound of the early 2010s, the Vermont singer-songwriter has broken through with “Stick Season.”

With certain headliners hogging up space, where are the new stars? We checked in on recent hits from the radio, streaming services and TikTok.

A conversation about the pop star’s evolution on his new album, “Something to Give Each Other,” and the ceilings he may still face as an openly gay male performer.

A conversation about the week in popular culture, including “The Woman in Me,” the new book by Spears, and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Martin Scorsese’s latest film.

The rapper’s new album, “For All the Dogs,” has stirred debate about maturity and misogyny, and led to questions about the next phase of his career.

A conversation about Swift’s concert film documenting her summer stadium sojourn. Plus: The new album “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.”

A conversation about the history — and future — of album reviews in an increasingly fraught environment for music journalism and criticism.

A discussion about “For All the Dogs” and the fever-pitch online discourse around Drake, his career and his public persona. Plus: reality TV drama.

The country-pop singer discusses her recent decision to step back from country music because of Nashville’s poor track record of tolerance and diversity.

On Popcast, a conversation about the singer-songwriter’s approach to stardom, his dogged work ethic and his artistic coalition with fellow dissidents.

Breaking down Doja Cat’s surprising new album, “Scarlet,” plus: Swift’s foray into football and Hasan Minhaj’s fibs.

A conversation about how the musician, who died this month at 76, turned a way of life into a song — and that song back into a very profitable way of life.

Plus: What it’s like in Sean Combs’s sauna.

A deep dive into whom the singer’s new songs might be about — and if it matters. Plus: Zach Bryan’s breakthrough and recent arrest.

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter returns with “Guts,” an album informed by the opportunities and costs of her rapid rise.

What we watched (and read!) this summer.

A conversation about Swift’s relationship to celebrity, the tour date as destination event and how fans dressed up for the show.

Listener and viewer questions on some recent releases, also including Renee Rapp, Earl Sweatshirt and Zach Bryan.

A conversation about how the concert relates to Beyoncé’s stadium show, the role of dance in Swift’s spectacular and more.