pop music
Aha Moment: Whitney Houston and Shara Worden
Shara Worden grew up singing Bach and other religious music. But hearing Whitney Houston on the radio changed her direction — and gave her the courage to make music of her own.
How Far East Movement took success into their own hands
Don’t Put Shamir in a Box
Shamir Bailey has found sudden success with his blend of infectious dance rhythms and ebullient energy. But he warns his legions of new fans: this is only version one.
Backup Singers Bring the Hits
There’s no predicting how well a particular song will do on the pop charts. But researchers have found that one characteristic unites a strong majority of hits: backup singers.
42 Years of Hits in 37 Minutes
In “Billboard,” avant-garde musician and programmer R. Luke Dubois compresses four decades of chart-topping hits into one very strange-sounding song.
Linda Ronstadt: “Heart Like a Wheel”
Linda Ronstadt’s “Heart Like a Wheel” made her a household name. Now it’s in the National Recording Registry.
Boots, Before and After Beyoncé
Boots moves on from the mega music mystery of 2013 when he was credited on Beyoncé’s self-titled album alongside super-producers like Timbaland, Pharrell, and Frank Ocean.
Sideshow Podcast: Boots, Before and After Beyoncé
Boots moves on from the mega music mystery of 2013 when he was credited on Beyoncé’s self-titled album alongside super-producers like Timbaland, Pharrell, and Frank Ocean.
How Devo Became Devo
Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale were students at Kent State in 1970, when the shootings led them to reject the counterculture they had been part of.
Live from Bongoland: The History of Tanzania’s Music Economy
In the ’70s and ’80s, the East African nation of Tanzania was home to one of the continent’s greatest music scenes. But you wouldn’t know from the recorded evidence. Join us for this Hip Deep edition of Afropop Worldwide, as ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/18634/live-from-bongoland-the-history-of-tanzanias-music-economy/"> Read more »</a>
Toxic! Britney Spears used as a weapon against Somali pirates
If you ever plan to travel by sea off the coast of east Africa, make a note to self: Britney Spears' music seems to have a repellent effect against pirates.