Subscribe to Popcast!
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

On this week’s Popcast, which was recorded live at S.O.B.’s in New York in December, Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli discuss some of the most memorable music moments and characters of the past year, including the dominance of pop star mess, hip-hop’s challenging transition moment, the mainstreaming of beef as marketing tactic, the rise of Sabrina Carpenter, the Young Thug trial, Dave Blunts, Mk.gee, Playboi Carti and more.

Also: an in-person listener mailbag segment, taking audience questions about Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Yeat, Katy Perry and ideal 2025 duet partners.

Connect With Popcast. Become a part of the Popcast community: Join the show’s Facebook group and Discord channel. We want to hear from you! Tune in, and tell us what you think at popcast@nytimes.com. Follow our host, Jon Caramanica, on Twitter: @joncaramanica.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.