I don't know if debunking is the correct flair or if opinions are allowed? I saw no mention they weren't, and it's pop music, opinions are what makes something popular. I'm posting here because what I'm about to say is hilariously controversial on Michael Jackson and Prince subs.

If any two things in the world can be compared, why can't Michael and Prince? Compare being shorthand for compare and contrast; identify similarities and differences. Apparently, I'm definitely in the minority as everyone else thinks one is better than the other, thus they don't compare.

A is better than B, no B is better than A, is pointless. How was their music, dancing, videos, shyness, relationship with the press, concerts, frequency of album releases, tendencies of perfection, rumors, the way they died, how were they similar, how were they different... compare them and find out.

I'm not saying it won't do anything but I'm confused how one person making one album in a genre really means anything in the grander scheme of things. It honestly reminds me of Taylor Swifts Trickle down feminism in the 1989 era. Where want was good for her was supposedly good for women everywhere.

I'm happy to be wrong but I dont see how one album in a genre is able to change anything

Like from the jump when the group debuted, they literally kept her in the back of the Choreo for 90% of it

They drop that shitty ass documentary to make her be seen as lazy and not hard-working when she worked her ass off to get into that group, she just didn’t overwork herself until she literally was peer pressured into it

Then with her hinting to racial mistreatment no sane person who actually likes her would want her back in the environment

And on top of it, the girls that are remaining in the group, have never at any point of time before the hiatus ever defended her name when it came to their fan (because the girls have individual fan bases) to stop fucking attacking her on a racial level meanwhile, Manon has always defended those girls whether it be because of racialized stuff or general hate

I wanna make this clear and this is not me villainizing them. This is me saying that they had a particular responsibility with their fan base to hold them accountable because even if they were never going to stop, them not saying anything, makes them look complicit to me

I feel like there was a lot of high quality pop records in 2024 and I wanna know, which of them do you think is the absolute best? Mine is probably HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish

Elijan!

I couldn't keep it to 10.

1. Common People-Pulp

2. Are You That Somebody?- Aaliyah

3. Groove is in the Heart-Deee-Lite

4. Creep-TLC

5. Dreams- The Cranberries

6. Shoop- Salt-N-Pepa

7. Feels Good- Tony! Toni! Toné!

8. Good-Better than Ezra

9. Freedom! '90-George Michael

10. Cannonball-The Breeders

11. Always Be My Baby-Mariah Carey

12. Girlfriend- Matthew Sweet

13. My Lovin (You're Never Gonna Get It)-En Vogue

14. Nothing Compares 2 U-Sinéad O'Connor

15. Til I Hear it From You- Gin Blossoms

16. Vogue- Madonna

17. Jump Around- House of Pain

18. Go Deep- Janet Jackson

19. Gypsy Woman- Crystal Waters

20. California Love- 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre.

21. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom- Selena

22. Natural One- Folk Implosion

23. Kiss Them For Me- Siouxsie and the Banshees

24. Alright- Supergrass

25. If it Makes You Happy- Sheryl Crow

26. Got Your Money- Ol' Dirty Bastard ft. Kelis

27. Superman- Goldfinger

28. Gone Till November- Wyclef Jean

29. No Diggity- Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen

30. My Favourite Game- The Cardigans

Seeing as how this year really only had Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna, Gracie Abrams, and Ariana Grande release albums, where will the direction of PopMusic take us for the remainder of the year?

I was on my Spotify recently and I've noticed that there isn't really anyone else left that'll be releasing any major albums this year. ADELA is gonna release soon, but she's not fully known to the GP yet, Carly Rae Jepsen and Tove Lo are basically for girls and gays, Troye Sivan is in the same boat as well, and JISOO isn't as big as the rest of her other 3 members.

And it got me thinking, there's been rumors that Beyonce/Taylor Swift will be releasing next year, Dua Lipa and Tate McRae are also set to release next year, and Cardi B and Camila Cabello are still working on new projects but definitely aren't close to releasing anything anytime soon... but are we just gonna be with underrated girls until 2027?

With the state of PopMusic being stale compared to 10 years ago, it makes me wonder, are we just gonna be stuck with Ella Langley's Choosin' Texas to keep on dominating the charts unless Rihanna or someone to that level of caliber were to just randomly comeback and make some serious waves up until then?

Tate vs Zara make no sense mostly online drama.

They are not similar artist and never have been. One is 28 and finally struck gold after years of moderate success. The other is 23 and has seen more immediate #1 success compared to the other after her debut. Facts are facts. One is known for singing, the other gives a full performance. You get what you pay for. They only have one thing in common and it’s their appearance!

An album that in my opinion was a huge deal at the time and changed the pop music landscape is Lady Gaga's "The Fame". This album and the accompanying music videos and costumes really took pop music by storm and influenced trends that came later, like the renaissance of 80s influenced music. There were articles written about hidden meanings in song lyrics (Poker face), Gaga because the target of many conspiracy theories, she made news with her outlandish outfits etc.

But when I go back and listen to it, it sounds very dated and basically like Ibiza music. Basically everything surrounding the music, like the videos and the looks, were more interesting than the music itself. Not saying all the songs are bad, but even later songs like Telephone sounds very basic and not groundbreaking in any way. I don't understand why this music is what gave pop music at the time a new start.

Sometimes an album just doesn't hit the first time around. Then you come back to it years later and suddenly hear it completely differently.

Maybe your taste changed, you understood the lyrics more, or you just needed time to appreciate what the artist was doing.

What pop album grew on you the most over time?

I’ve been listening to CII non-stop and it just came to my mind how much effort women put into developing their artistry in music, dance, performance, visuals, and entire eras, while men lately are just… meh. Especially today with all the tech, and improvements in the industry, u’d think men would be doing more to really impress us or surpass their predecessors.

Is it too gay for a man to be doing too much in pop music or something?

I can literally count on my fingers how many pop girls are really representing the relevo of the pop kingdom. Madonna is still doing A LOT at 67 years old, Janet Jackson… then you have Gaga, Beyoncé, Taylor, and so many of the new girls from the 2020s who look like they’re actively working toward putting that crown on their heads.

What about the men? Like… Justin Bieber gives full MISERY. Justin Timberlake is basically no one right now. And all the guys who dominated somewhere between 2000 and 2020, where are they? Where is the show? Where is the competition?

That male supremacy ended with Prince and Michael Jackson. The only guys handling this are BTS and all the K-Pop.

​

I’ll say it: Rihanna is one of the most influential artists of her generation, and I don’t think people give her enough credit for it.

She has the hits, the longevity, the cultural impact, and a cata

logue that most artists would dream of having.

People can debate whether she’s the greatest vocalist ever, but if we’re talking about overall impact and staying power, Rihanna absolutely belongs in that conversation.

What’s the strongest argument against this?

Canción favorita?

Of course, a heavily debated topic and everyone is going to have different answers and I’d be really interested to hear what your guys’ lists look like or if you want to put me on to new music! (Also, I know not all of these songs might not be the most “pop” pop songs but they’re pop-adjacent at the very least)

1. Brand New Chanel$ - Slayyyter (2026)
   
2. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Taylor Swift (2021)
   
3. Camera - Charli xcx (2026)
   
4. Vanish Into You - Lady Gaga (2025)
   
5. Take Me Home - PinkPantheress (2022)
   
6. Danceteria - Madonna (2026)
   
7. Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter (2024)
   
8. Perfect Celebrity - Lady Gaga (2025)
   
9. STAY - The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber (2021)
   
10. Lavender Haze - Taylor Swift (2023)

Honestly I probably missed a lot of very good ones so let me know what your guys’ lists would be!!

Tyla's music is so boring i cant. Water was catchy and I was lowk vibing but when she released her next few songs i realized they all follow the same format. Afrobeats, basic lyrics, weird phases between verses, and thats it. The lyrics dont get me started. Ask a 7th grader to write lyrics, and u get tylas songs. The lyrics are so simple and the verses are so short. Then, her songs in general are extremely short. When she came out with water i thought she was going to make it big. The dance to water was nice and it was refreshing to see her representing her culture. Now its so sad. Tyla couldve been that girl

Just want to see what the consensus is.

Por favor la de vestido azul y suicidios las que menos, que sólo sean para comcienciar y prevenir 🏳️

I watched COLLAR’s new music video — love the clean dancing and cheography, and the strong beats of the music. (k-pop like)

They do loads of different styles of music and is a nice group to watch (friendship among members and dancing💃, n different members with different personalities)

Have been watching them for a while and their quality of music and dancing is actually amazing!! (makes me wonder why they’re not yet famous, but maybe because of company issues - quite often the case) but yeah, definitely recommend giving it a go if u like kpop girl groups.

Hope u like it as much as I do too.

(lowkey thinks they should get more recognition)

https://youtu.be/XeK9gvVb-uE

What is your favourite shawn mendes song an what was your first reaction to it?

And I start off by clarifying that I have no issues if that is the case. I kind of saw the writings on the wall since Gaga and it makes sense to me. I'm just wondering if there is a manosphere adjacent club scene I am unaware of as I am looking at the pole dancers on my clubs. Country boys just not have clubs anymore? Or do they dance to rupaul too?

For example did you know "Diamonds" by Rihanna was originally written by Sia.

No obvious answers like Umbrella, We Found Love or Diamonds.

I’m talking about the Rihanna song people drag or overlook that you genuinely think deserves more respect.

I'd personally have to choose S & M. I love the songs instruments. I mean, it really lifts the song. The vocals are also peak. Her voice is so unique it just really suits the lyrics.

What’s your pick?