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#87 on the Global 200 - it's highest position despite being a 2020 song (and #58 excluding the US) - we love a non-local hit

We’ve all seen it happen, sometimes labels, managers or agents make features and collabs to help an unknown artist take off, even if they make no sense and are executed terribly. I’m talking the kind where you know it was just the check clearing or industry connections that made it happen. Or where they got a rent a rapper in to give a song cross appeal with (straight) male or urban audiences and it doesn’t even fit the song or the lead artist at all. Share your favourite examples of this here, I’ll start us off with these:

Midnights being released before the several re-recorded albums she promised The re-releases being out of order, and releasing songs from multiple different eras at the same time Rumors of a new Midnights deluxe version circulating even though there’s already the 3 AM version You wouldn’t even know what’s going on with her musically unless you follow her career/pop music in general. How does the average non-Swiftie keep up?

Keyword: MOST. I'm not talking about which decade had the popgirl with the most longevity (that would be Madonna or Mariah depending on your metrics), I'm talking about the MOST number of popgirls with a clear presence in pop culture still, years later. Do note that I'm not talking about female artists that succeeded in that decade or comparing these artists, I'm talking about the sheer amount of these popstars who have not only succeeded in their respective decades, but the decades afterwards, not necessarily as a commercial force but also as a celebrity figure. In the 80s, you had Madonna, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston. Janet fell off right at the turn of the 21st century while Whitney remained slightly relevant in the new century amidst tragic events, her last spark of relevance was really around 2010 with her I Look to You era. Only the 3 of them really had a lasting presence from the time they debuted till years later. Madonna to this day, while polarizing, is a legacy that remains in people's mouths, a true legend. While there were also other big female artists in the 80s, girls like Paula hardly lasted half a decade and Kylie Minogue is far from the levels of those aforementioned. In the 90s, you had obviously the biggest artist of that decade Mariah Carey, followed by Celine Dion. Shania can be argued but she voluntarily fell off the face of the earth by the mid 2000s, so a case can't really be made for that. Celine has always been an enduring presence in the world of classic pop music and Mariah... Well, let's just say there is a case to be made that she is the biggest female artist of all time. Now with the 00s, its very interesting that this decade, nearly 25 years detached from now, has produced the most number of enduring popstars that still permeate today's pop culture sphere in different levels. You had the biggest artist of that decade Beyonce, going on one of the biggest tours of all time and with viral hits left and right, one of the biggest hitmakers of all time Rihanna, becoming a billionaire and having her celebrity at an all time high, arguably the inevitable biggest solo artist of all time Taylor Swift, the popgirl who experienced one of the biggest celebrity peaks of all time and transitioned into a successful acting career, only 1 of 3, Lady Gaga. You also have from this decade probably the biggest pop balladeer of all time Adele, and let's not even get into the Princess of Pop herself Britney Spears, who spearheaded the rise of bubblegum pop by the turn of the 21st century and was the biggest celebrity of that decade. We also have the Disney girlies in the form of Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, two artists that many may argue are nowhere near the stature of these other females, but have enough longevity and commercial viability to warrant a spot of longevity. Miley has probably the biggest female song in the United States ever with Party in the USA, now with the megahit Flowers, 15+ years later, and with Selena Gomez snatching big hits across 3 decades, and now with Calm Down, is proof that these Disney stars are truly enduring forces. Another great mention is the queen of Latin America and the biggest crossover act in decades Shakira, who many will agree is probably a bigger commercial force in 2023 than most of these women. And while many think Katy Perry is a non-factor in today's chart battles, her presence as a public figure is still felt every now and then, decades later. What made the 2000s such a conducive force for solo female artists to thrive? And not only thrive but end up being still relevant decades later, something no other decade has probably replicated. And while many will say this is recency bias, the mere fact is that most of these names from the 2000s have been in the game for 20+ years, there had to be something in that decade that allowed them to thrive because the 2010s, while closer to now, has only produced 1 viable popstar at their level, and that is Ariana Grande.

Lover is aggressively inclining on Billboard 200, catching up to Midnights, week to week, with less multiple versions, and less tracks, and no single out. Why? Did quality sleep won over sleepless nights? Is Lover actually better than Midnights?

Saw this on the TL and it made me scream

I'm sorry, this girl deserved to SMASH with this one... BANGER

...and I'll adore you 'til the end of time, Angel of Mine Flawless vocals from Eternal.

1997-now, 25 years later. Break My Soul, a #1 in 5 countries including the US and Ireland. Cuff It, a global Top 10 with a viral trail on TikTok Nearly 10 certified tracks from the Platinum certified Renaissance. And now with a smashing global stadium tour + an America Has a Problem remix with Kendrick Lamar flying up the global charts, is RENAISSANCE a smash era for an artist 25 years into their career? And thats with ZERO visuals + ZERO promo stints aside from cute remixes and mediocre playlisting

*EP's accepted for artists that never dropped studio album before 19 songs in general Top 200 Apple Music R&B Top 200 #1 SZA - Snooze Dec 2022 #7 Coco Jones - ICU Nov 2022 #24 Tems - Free Mind Sep 2020(peaked 2022) #36 Kali Uchis - Moonlight Feb 2023 #111 Ella Mai - This Is Feb 2023 #131 H.E.R - Damage Oct 2020 #140 Summer Walker & SZA - No Love Oct 2021 #166 Jhene Aiko - P*$$y Fairy Jan 2020 N/A Jazmine Sullivan N/A Kehlani N/A Chloe N/A Queen Naija 18 songs in general Top 200 Apple Music Pop Top 200 #2 Miley Cyrus- Flowers Jan 2023 #4 Taylor Swift - Anti Hero Oct 2022 #19 Rihanna ft Drake - Work Jan 2016 #20 + #25 Beyonce - Cuff It/Remix July 2022 #40 Doja Cat ft SZA - Kiss Me More April 2021 #68 Olivia Rodrigo - Good 4 U May 2021 #69 Adele - Easy On Me Oct 2021 #75 Lizzo - About Damn Time April 2022 #115 Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now Oct 2019 #128 Ariana Grande - Positions Oct 2020 Lady Gaga - N/A Katy Perry - N/A Camila Cabello - N/A Demi Lovato - N/A Selena Gomez - N/A 24 Songs in general Top 200 Apple Music Latin Top 200 #13 Karol G & Shakira - TQG Feb 2023 #92 Becky G & Karol G - Mamii Feb 2022 #200 Rosalía - Despechá July 2022 98 Songs in general Top 200 Apple Music Hip Hop/Rap Top 200 #21 Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj - Princess Diana April 2023 #62 Glorilla & Cardi B - Tomorrow 2 Sep 2022 Latto - *new orphan single charting Nicki Minaj - N/A Megan The Stallion- N/A Cardi B - N/A Saweetie - N/A 1 song in general Top 200 Apple Music Alternative Top 200 #17 Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever Jul 2021 #44 Tones & I - Dance Monkey Aug 2019 #167 Melanie Martinez - Death April 2023 Lana Del Rey N/A Halsey N/A Lorde N/A 38 songs charting in general Top 200 Apple Music Country Top 200 #93 Megan Moroney - I'm Not Pretty Feb 2023 #103 Gabby Barrett - Pick Me Up Nov 2021 #160 Carly Pearce - What He Didnt Do Sep 2021 #161 Kelsea Ballerini - If You Go Down Sep 2022 Maren Morris - N/A Miranda Lambert - N/A Carrie Underwood - *new orphan single charting

This always came across as an attempt to recreate the amazing "I Got It" from Pop 2. Everyone on that song snapped (including/especially Pabllo Vittar - I don't get the hate) The result was a disaster.

She's not dead or anything I just think she should be remembered

Bois cry AND SO WILL YOU!

Who will outperform Madonna in terms of high intensity choreographed shows in her 40s? IMO Mrs Carter was the last proper mainstream dancer (do NOT bring Tinashe or whatever her name is up, thank you) no one else comes to mind. Britney is out of the question (and the industry). Is this the death of mainstream dancers/performers?

Idk why Youtube isn't showing the thumbnail but whew this is so good

Genuinely one of her best songs, I said what I said. One of her best vocal performances; the runs, belts, and harmonies are everything. I know Mariah doesn't like it cause she didn't write it, but I think it's a beautiful song, idc.

In 1992, Mariah was scheduled to perform on MTV Unplugged. She was informed fairly last-minute that singers usually include 1 cover in their set, so she scraped together a cover of 'I'll Be There' by the Jackson 5. Once the special aired, her label received so much demand for an official release of this cover that they clipped a radio edit from the live performance and released it as a single. It shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the only single from MTV Unplugged to go #1 and spent 8 weeks at #1 on radio Shook?

Such a warm-cool vulnerable confession in a love song. Her Call It What You Want (Jillian’s Version).

Fifty Fifty is having one of the biggest Global Hits in kpop history Atm their song Cupid has climbed to #19 on the Hot100. Higher than any other Blackpink song without a Western Artist feat. Cupid has jumped several spots each week and their radio impact has barely begun. They basically climbed out of pure streaming force Now, it was the most added song in Pop radio, their Spotify listeners are still rising despite being released 3 months ago. It is definitely gaining much more charting points from now on There is so much potential to unpack here so what are the odds that Cupid becomes a Top10 Hit? Maybe even Top5? I can not explain how groundbreaking this could be for the Kpop Girlgroup scene

Let me get us started with this classic: The straight boys made POINTS stanning this. Your turn... NO POP GIRLS ALLOWED.

Is Lady Gaga no longer passionate about music? Has Haus Labs obstructed that passion? Discuss.

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