Usher, renowned for his nine chart-topping hits on the esteemed Billboard Hot 100, faces the daunting task of curating a succinct 13-minute setlist for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime spectacle. Amidst a repertoire teeming with 18 top 10 tracks, the selection process becomes an exercise in discernment.
In the latest episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, hosts Katie and Keith delve into the anticipated tracks from Usher's catalogue slated for the Sunday showcase. Speculation arises regarding the inclusion of "OMG," previously performed during the 2011 halftime show headlined by the Black Eyed Peas. Additionally, conjecture surrounds the potential appearances of collaborators Lil Jon and Ludacris for renditions of "Yeah!" and "Lovers and Friends."
The podcast further delves into the aftermath of the 2024 Grammy Awards, where Taylor Swift's triumph in the Album of the Year category was accompanied by the revelation of her forthcoming project, "The Tortured Poets Department." A comprehensive discussion ensues, encapsulating all available insights.
Chart-centric updates abound, notably spotlighting Megan Thee Stallion's ascension to the apex of the Hot 100 with her track "Hiss," and Benson Boone's ascent into the top 10 echelon with "Beautiful Things." A myriad of compositions debut within the top 40 sphere, courtesy of Ice Spice, Morgan Wallen, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, and the duo Tom MacDonald & Ben Shapiro. Meanwhile, Wallen achieves parity with Garth Brooks for an enduring stint atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, while the Grateful Dead etch their name in history by securing the record for the most top 40-charting albums with their latest release.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast serves as an indispensable resource for aficionados of contemporary music, offering insightful discussions, intriguing statistical analyses, musical discoveries, and engaging interviews with luminaries from the realm of popular culture. Audiences, whether casual enthusiasts or fervent adherents to chart data, can partake in the discourse led by Katie Atkinson, Billboard's executive digital director, West Coast, and Keith Caulfield, Billboard's managing director, overseeing charts and data operations. The podcast is readily accessible for streaming on Billboard.com or via download through Apple Podcasts or preferred podcast platforms.