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.

Aha Moment: Whitney Houston and Shara Worden
Three guys in front of an old car

How Far East Movement took success into their own hands

How Far East Movement took success into their own hands

Angel Olsen Live In-Studio

Angel Olsen Live In-Studio

Aha Moment: Kiss “Alive!”

Aha Moment: Kiss “Alive!”

Enya Sails Away on an Ocean of Stars

Enya Sails Away on an Ocean of Stars

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.

Don’t Put Shamir in a Box

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.

Backup Singers Bring the Hits

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.  

42 Years of Hits in 37 Minutes

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.

Linda Ronstadt: “Heart Like a Wheel”

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. 

Boots, Before and After Beyoncé

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. 

Sideshow Podcast: Boots, Before and After Beyoncé

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. 

How Devo Became Devo

Live from Bongoland: The History of Tanzania’s Music Economy

In the &#8217;70s and &#8217;80s, the East African nation of Tanzania was home to one of the continent&#8217;s greatest music scenes. But you wouldn&#8217;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 &#187;</a>

Live from Bongoland: The History of Tanzania’s Music Economy

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.

Toxic! Britney Spears used as a weapon against Somali pirates

How To Play A Cactus

How To Play A Cactus