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.
Jane Austen, forever. Plus: trans inclusion in sports
Artist Shirin Neshat on the women-led protests in Iran
HBO’s 'Industry', and Esther Perel
Jamaica Kincaid and Enuma Okoro on writing
How NFTs shook up the art world
How do young Brits feel about the monarchy?
The legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
Have we hit peak TV? Plus, our debt to bees
The art of sound design. Plus: summer hits of 2022
Ukraine’s digital war. Plus: how computers changed chess
Food & Drink mini-series: Natasha Pickowicz on creative desserts
Chef Mashama Bailey on reclaiming African-American food
Food & Drink mini-series: Jancis Robinson on wine trends
Author Elif Batuman. Plus, our obsession with feedback
Food & Drink mini-series: Ayesha Nurdjaja on how to flavour
A new weight-loss drug works. Is that good?
Food & Drink mini-series: Andy Baraghani on finding your home cooking style
Why are tennis players fixing matches?
Martin Wolf on how to change one's mind
Our summer books and films special: what to read and watch
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
FT News Briefing
Money Clinic with Claer Barrett
FT World Weekly
Black Beauty
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
FT News in Focus
FT Banking Weekly