The summer of 2024 is being dominated by a new wave of female pop artists who are drawing massive festival crowds, showcasing radical authenticity, and breaking the norms and records of the pop music scene. Artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyla are leading this revolution. What is the secret behind their success, and what led to this transformative moment in pop music?
By Sadie Watkins
Charli XCX and the TikTok Phenomenon
In early May 2024, a live stream of a lime-green wall in Greenpoint, New York, captivated TikTok users. This wall, associated with British singer Charli XCX, was part of an elaborate promotional campaign for her sixth album, Brat. Whether Charli performed on a car rooftop in front of the wall or left messages on it, the entire act seemed both meticulously planned and spontaneous, keeping viewers glued to their screens.
Leading Ladies of Summer, 2024
The neon wall is just one piece of Charli’s innovative marketing for Brat, which includes music videos featuring It-Girls and an album cover designed in Microsoft Paint. This blend of tried-and-true tactics with unconventional experiments has quickly elevated Brat to cult status, solidifying Charli’s position as a beloved internet figure. Besides Charli, other female artists are also making waves. The Bonnaroo Festival organizers moved Chappell Roan’s performance to a larger stage at the last minute due to her unexpectedly high fan turnout. While major acts like Jennifer Lopez or the Black Keys are scaling back or canceling tours, Chappell and her peers like Olivia Rodrigo are adding more dates.
The Golden Age of Early 2000s Pop
Sabrina Carpenter is breaking chart records with tracks like “Please Please Please” and “Espresso” and frequently ranks among Spotify’s top ten streamed artists. Tyla is behind numerous dance trends on TikTok, and Nina Chuba is announcing arena tours even before releasing her second album. There’s no doubt: this summer is all about these pop queens. The current girl pop wave, however, feels distinct from previous eras.
Reflecting on the Past
At the turn of the millennium, women also ruled the pop world. Icons like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Shakira dominated the charts. They were primarily considered sexy, with Britney’s Lolita image catering to male fantasies – who can forget the Rolling Stone cover with her in lingerie holding a Teletubby? Aguilera embraced a bold and dirty image later, while Jennifer Lopez’s famous backside and Paris Hilton’s music dabblings with “Stars Are Blind” were hot topics. The “dumb blonde” stereotype sold well during that era.
The current wave of female pop artists is redefining the genre with their unique authenticity and bold marketing strategies. Their success is a testament to the evolving nature of the music industry, where innovation and connection with the audience are key. As these artists continue to break new ground, they are setting the stage for the future of pop music.
Based on content from www.udiscover-music.de