The FT’s US media correspondent Anna Nicolaou keeps hearing this lament from music executives: that Olivia Rodrigo could be the last pop superstar. They worry that no one has broken through with such ferocity since. On today’s show, Anna tells us what they mean, what the trends reflect, and whether she believes the prediction. Plus, Anna and Lilah reflect on why Rodrigo has gotten so big, and the gap she’s filling in our culture.
-------
We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap and we’re on X @lifeandartpod. You can email us at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews, on Apple, Spotify, etc.
-------
Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):
– Anna’s column about Olivia Rodrigo is here: https://on.ft.com/3UgPFkp
– You can follow Anna on X @annaknicolaou
-----
The FT Weekend Festival is coming back, and will be in Washington on May 4. Speakers include Nancy Pelosi. To book tickets, go to ft.com/festival-us and use our exclusive discount code: weekendpodcast.
Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art podcast listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial, are here: http://ft.com/lifeandart
—
Clip in this episode is from Petroblivion on YouTube.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to develop your taste in art, with critic Ariella Budick
‘La chimera’: everything you’d want in an Italian film
Introducing Untold: Power for Sale
Viet Thanh Nguyen on adapting 'The Sympathizer' for TV
Coming soon: China, the new tech superpower
Using AI as a tool for creativity
Life as a chef in the West Bank right now
‘Challengers’: Zendaya serves up tennis and sexual tension
Culture chat: Is Taylor Swift’s new album too much?
Spring cooking tips with chef Ayesha Nurdjaja
Culture chat: ‘Civil War’ is not the film you think it is
Design series: Debbie Millman on how brands impact culture
How to process the news when it all feels bad
Design Series: The fashion of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
Design series: Jonathan Adler on making your home your own
‘Love Lies Bleeding’ with director Rose Glass
Culture chat: Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter
Design series: the hidden meaning in our benches and lampposts
Travel chat: planning a trip this spring? We have tips
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
FT News Briefing
Money Clinic with Claer Barrett
FT World Weekly
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Frankenstein
FT News in Focus
FT Banking Weekly