1995 TLC: Vintage Pop Stardom (with Naima Cochrane)
In the mid-'90s, TLC were on top of the world, with a game-changing year of hit singles, unavoidable videos and culture-shifting moments — though behind the scenes, everything that could be going wrong for the trio was. On this Vintage Pop Stardom episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by NYU professor and social media legend Naima Cochrane to talk about 1995 TLC — the year of "Creep," "Waterfalls," "Red Light Special," and one of the greatest nights ever at the VMAs, all of which raised the bar for R&B crossover stardom during one of the great eras in girl-group history.
1995 TLC YouTube Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMatWmGtjnNN1VzeaiyVUyJd&si=Y9krtUF3cpXUECRr
Follow Naima on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/stillnaima.bsky.social
And if you enjoy the pod, please consider donating to the following causes:
Transgender Law Center
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
Destination Tomorrow
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising
Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.
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1:43:21
Sabrina Carpenter's 'Man's Best Friend': Rollout Report Card
It's been a fascinating few months for Sabrina Carpenter, who had barely started to wind down her blockbuster 'Short n' Sweet' album era before announcing an entirely new album in 'Man's Best Friend,' which dropped on Aug. 29. For this Rollout Report Card, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Michael Saponara and Eric Frankenberg as we look at everything surrounding the lead-up and post-release promotion of Carpenter's second album as a pop superstar, grading everything from the music videos and live performances to the album's new songs and overall "albuminess."
Find our Sabrina Carpenter's 'Man's Best Friend' Rollout YouTube playlist here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFs58D1XAMaRMMroHHBTWPREhQ3kkTRd&si=dqSBgkutiUZKOZnM
And please consider donating to the following causes:
Transgender Law Center
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
Destination Tomorrow
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising
Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.
https://5calls.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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57:51
Oasis' Live '25 Tour: Pop Star Performance Review
We weren't positive they'd make it, but Oasis has arrived on U.S. shores as conquering heroes on its universally acclaimed Live '25 tour. On this bonus Pop Star Performance Review episode of Greatest Pop Stars, host Andrew Unterberger is rejoined by his longtime partner Lisa Ebe to talk about the two shows on this tour they saw together — one overseas, one stateside — as well as the differences between them, and their overall conclusions about what has made this tour such a special experience (and a pop superstar-level success ).
Also check out our 1996 Oasis Vintage Pop Stardom discussion here:
https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/oasis-1996-greatest-pop-stars-podcast-1236023704/
And please consider donating to the following causes:
Transgender Law Center
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
Destination Tomorrow
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising
Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.
https://5calls.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:09:53
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1:09:53
Which Pop Stars Won July 2025? Justin Bieber, KPop Demon Hunters & More
On this week's episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Michael Saponara and Kyle Denis to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who dominated July 2025 in pop stardom. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the months to come.
If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here:
https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/
And please consider donating to the following causes:
Transgender Law Center
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising
Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.
https://5calls.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:03:33
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1:03:33
Which Pop Stars Won August 2025? Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter & More
On this week's episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard staffers Stephen Daw and Danielle Pascual to discuss the big pop stars, rising prospects and veteran greats who dominated August 2025 in pop stardom. We each choose our top fives for the month that was, then we talk some disappointing recent performances, and look ahead to who we're most anticipating hearing more from in the months to come.
If you enjoy the pod, check out out the rest of our 2025 Who Won the Month recaps here:
https://www.billboard.com/t/who-won-the-month/
And please consider donating to the following causes:
Transgender Law Center
https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org/
Destination Tomorrow
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/destination-tomorrow-inc
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/c/gender-confirmation-surgery-fundraising
Also, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.
https://5calls.org/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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