The Year in Music

Key takeaways

2024 saw a significant rise in female pop artists who are redefining the genre with their unique narratives and sounds.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud encapsulates a shift in hip-hop dynamics, showcasing the importance of artistic authenticity.
Pop artists are increasingly blending genres, particularly with country, suggesting a new wave of musical experimentation and audience openness.

Summary

The Rise of a New Generation of Female Pop Artists

In 2024, female pop artists like Charlie XCX, Chapel Rowe, and Sabrina Carpenter gained significant traction and popularity. Critics discussed Charlie XCX's 'Brat,' which reflected on identity crises and the pressures of pop stardom, becoming a cultural phenomenon beyond the music itself. Chapel Rowe emerged as a traditional yet sophisticated songwriter, resonating with fans through her direct and poetic lyrics, particularly focusing on themes of queer love. Sabrina Carpenter's quirky summer hit 'Espresso' and subsequent single 'Please Please Please' showcased her range and solidified her place in the music scene, proving she is no one-hit-wonder.

Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: A Year of Feud

The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake heightened in 2024, marked by personal diss tracks and accusations. Kendrick's recent music highlighted his traditionalist approach to hip-hop against Drake's pop-oriented style. The feud became a significant part of the cultural narrative, symbolizing the evolution of hip-hop while Kendrick's ability to deliver a hit further shifted the dynamics, with his song becoming a major anthem for the year.

The Country Music Takeover

The podcast discusses the undeniable crossover of pop musicians venturing into country music, with Beyoncé leading the charge with her album 'Cowboy Carter.' The hosts explore how this shift represents a broader acceptance of genre blending within popular music. Other artists, including Post Malone and Shabuzi, also made significant contributions to the genre, indicating a potentially new era in music where lines between hip-hop and country are increasingly blurred.

Show notes

As 2024 comes to a close, critics, reporters and editors at The New York Times are reflecting on the year in arts and culture, including music.

Today, The Times’s pop music critics Jon Pareles, Lindsay Zoladz and Jon Caramanica talk with Melissa Kirsch, the deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle, about a new generation of women in pop, how the rapper Kendrick Lamar beat Drake in their feud, and why so many pop stars went country.

Guest:

Melissa Kirsch, the deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle for The New York Times.
Jon Pareles,the chief pop music critic for The New York Times.
Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic and host of the “Popcast” podcast for The New York Times.
Lindsay Zoladz, a pop music critic and writer of The Amplifier newsletter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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