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Life and Art from FT Weekend

Why Olivia Rodrigo might be our last pop superstar

Apr 30, 2024
FT's US media correspondent Anna Nicolau talks about music executives' concerns that Olivia Rodrigo could be the last pop superstar. They discuss Rodrigo's rise to fame, her impact on culture, and industry trends like TikTok. They explore the evolution of pop superstars and the challenges faced by artists and labels in the changing music landscape.
17:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Industry executives fear Olivia Rodrigo may be the last pop superstar due to the lack of new breakthrough artists.
  • Emerging artists like Noah Cajon and Renée Rapp indicate a shift towards 'middle-class pop stars' over global icons.

Deep dives

Olivia Rodrigo's Rising Stardom

Olivia Rodrigo, at 21, holds the record as the youngest artist with three number one singles. Industry executives speculate she might be the last star to achieve such fame. Despite this concern, her concert showcased undeniable pop star energy, with fans fully immersed in her performance and singing along passionately.

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