All roads lead to Pharrell: Tyler, Clipse, and Cardi

All roads lead to Pharrell: Tyler, Clipse, and Cardi

Author: Vulture August 19, 2025 Duration: 52:36
The conversation around the new music this summer has been a dour one. Some of the biggest songs in the country right now are downtempo stomp-clap anthems and wistful Cranberries pastiche. Even on this very show, Nate and Charlie have asked: where's the fun? As it turns out, the party (as always) is happening in hip-hop, led by a formidable influence: Pharrell.. On this episode of Switched On Pop, producer Reanna and engineer Brandon join Charlie for a tour through rap music's latest sweaty offerings, including the new album by Tyler, the Creator, Clipse's return to music, and catchphrase worthy singles by Cardi B, PLUTO, and Drake. Songs discussed: Tyler, The Creator, Pharrell Williams – Big Poe Nelly – Hot in Herre Noreaga – Superthug Kelis – Milkshake Tyler, The Creator, Cole Alexander – Deathcamp N.E.R.D. – Rockstar Tyler, The Creator – Ring Ring Ring Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy – 911 / Mr. Lonely Tyler, The Creator – I THINK Mr. Fingers – Mystery of Love Michael Jackson – Off the Wall N.E.R.D., Nelly Furtado – Hot-n-Fun N.E.R.D. – Things Are Getting Better Pharrell, Nelly – Baby Clipse – So Be It Clipse – Virginia Clipse – Intro Talal Madah – Maza Akoulou Beastie Boys – Paul Revere Clipse – Ace Trumpets Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire – The Birds Don't Sing Cardi B – Outside Cardi B – Bodak Yellow Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin – I Like It Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion – WAP Cardi B – Up PLUTO, YK Niece – WHIM WHAMIEE OJ Da Juiceman, Gucci Mane – Make tha Trap Say Aye Roxanne Shante – Roxanne's Revenge Drake, Central Cee – Which One? Drake, Rihanna – Too Good Rihanna, Drake – Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder why a certain pop song gets stuck in your head for days, or how a simple chord change can make you feel a specific way? Switched on Pop digs into those questions with a unique blend of expert analysis and genuine curiosity. Hosts Nate Sloan, a musicologist, and Charlie Harding, a songwriter, act as friendly guides through the intricate world of popular music. They don't just review hits; they dissect them, exploring the craft behind the catchiness. In each episode, you'll hear them break down a track's structure, its historical context, and the production techniques that give it its emotional punch. This isn't a dry academic lecture, though. It's a conversation between two people who love music, unpacking everything from timeless classics to today's viral trends to reveal why pop works the way it does. The Switched on Pop podcast, from Vulture, makes the familiar strange again, encouraging you to listen more deeply. You'll start to hear the clever harmonies hidden in a chart-topper, the rhythmic patterns borrowed from decades past, and the lyrical choices that resonate with millions. It's for anyone who has ever tapped a foot to a radio song and then wondered about the mechanics of that reaction. Tune in and you might just find that your favorite songs have layers you've never noticed before.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Switched on Pop
Podcast Episodes
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Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:06
This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars. Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine o…
Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:02
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Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides…
Can “professor” Charlie Puth pass our qualifying exam? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
Charlie Puth breaks down his new single "Changes," a maximalist eighties production hiding a melancholy story about drifting friendships. As he prepares for fatherhood, the singer-songwriter reflects on how relationships…
How D'Angelo changed music, in three songs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:05
On October 14th, the visionary musician D’Angelo passed away at 51 years old. Only releasing three albums during his lifetime, he synthesized influences from gospel, jazz, rock, and hip-hop to create a singular and trans…