What can't Rihanna do?
Rihanna's opening up about R9, Doechii's opening up about being an "it girl", and Lady Gaga is a Gleek!?
Is this thing on!? I accidentally haven’t sent out a weekend newsletter since January 11th…oops.
Life gets busy, you know!? Of course, I’ve been podcasting and writing other pieces, but I feel like I totally abandoned my original purpose for starting my Substack - bringing you guys extra pop culture moments from the week that were Too Pop to Handle!
This week’s podcast episode was one of my favorites - we did a deep dive on SNL 50 and all of the layers to the sketches and performances. We also chatted about Lizzo’s return to music, Shakira being hospitalized for abdominal pain and immediately bouncing back (queen behavior), Jay-Z’s SA lawsuit being dropped, and so much more. As always, you can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts and on YouTube.
💖🌟🤭 Reminder to leave a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🤭🌟💖
But let’s not lose focus on what we’re here for…
Rihanna teases R9 on the cover of Harper’s Bazar
There’s something so thrilling about any time Rihanna does anything these days. We’ve discussed time and time again (both on Substack and on the podcast) how if ANTI was the last album she ever released, I would understand. It’s such a perfectly executed project that I feel shows off Rihanna’s artistry to a level we hadn’t seen before, but she’s here to remind us that R9 does exist and it’s unlike anything we’ve heard before.
She sat down with Harper’s Bazar to discuss what you do next when it feels like you’ve already done everything!? Aside from creating an album that none of us can predict the sound of, she shared that she eventually wants to get into furniture and home design - by 2045, we’ll all be sitting on Fenty couches and hopefully listening to R9. Speaking of, she’s describing the highly anticipated album as “I know it’s not going to be anything that anyone expects.”
“I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work. I am actually feeling really good about this. I know I kept saying this over the years.”
After taking a break from music for nine years, having two children, becoming a billionaire, etc…, it appears her creative cup is full again and she’s ready to drop some earth-shattering music. I’m ready whenever you are, Rih.
Doechii the don, Doechii the dean, Doechii the it girl
If you haven’t jumped on the Doechii train yet, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Between winning Best Rap Album at the Grammys earlier this month, dropping a killer collab with JENNIE from BLACKPINK, and rumored to be opening for Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour this summer (keyword: rumored), she sat down with The Cut to discuss what this whirlwind of a year has been like for her.
Doechii might seem like an industry plant or overnight success story to some, but there have been years of blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into becoming the current it girl of female rap.
“When people aren’t familiar with the history of an artist these days, they get suspicious. I’m pretty detached emotionally from it because I understand where it’s coming from. And to be honest, once you get any conspiracies around your career, that’s just confirmation that I’m going somewhere and I’m doing something right.”
She shares that growing up in Tampa is one of her biggest inspirations but also where she found herself at her lowest. After being bulled in the sixth grade, she shares that God told her to write down “I am Doechii” and it not only saved her life, but also changed her life.
“…I realized, Oh, fuck, I'm gonna kill myself and then I'm gonna be the only one dead. The bullies aren't gonna be with me, and everything they said is not coming with me either. I would just be gone," […] I made a choice, a decision. I am the most important character in this movie. This is my motherfucking movie."
Watching the world finally join in on the swamp party that she’s throwing is so exciting. There’s something so special about her artistry and creative process - she’s really in a lane of her own. One thing’s for sure: this is just the beginning of Doechii’s journey.
Lady Gaga’s a Gleek and we’re getting Telephone Part 2!?
I’ve said it time and time again, but my paws have never been higher than they are as we gear up for the release of Lady Gaga’s upcoming 7th studio album ‘Mayhem.’ She’s been doing all of the typical press junket things - Hot Ones, SNL, Vanity Fair Lie Detector test. It’s clear that she’s going full force for this album promo, and I will watch every single interview and appearance she does because I just can’t get enough.
Not only did she expose herself as Gleek (stars, they’re just like us), but she also confirmed that we will be getting a sequel to Telephone after sixteen years. Whether or not Beyoncé will be involved is a little up in the air, but there’s no way Gaga can do Telephone Part Two without Bey…right!?
I guess time will tell! She also announced that she’ll be performing in Brazil for the first time since 2012.
It’s a great honor to be asked to sing for Rio—for my whole career the fans in Brazil have been part of the lifeblood of the little monsters. I’ve been dying to come perform for you for years and was heartbroken when I had to cancel years ago because I was hospitalized.
Needless to say, it’s a fabulous time to be a Lady Gaga fan.
New Music Releases this Week
ExtraL - JENNIE ft Doechii
Taste - Coco Jones
BUTTERFLY - MARINA
Make Ya Body Whistle - The Cataracs & Dev
Call Me When You Break Up - Selena Gomez ft Gracie Abrams
So Close to What - Tate McRae
Wow, it feels good to be writing the newsletter again. I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your weekend and of course, I’ll chat with you all on the podcast on Wednesday! 💖