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Who are the pop icons of the year?

2024 was the year of the rise (or emergence) of new music stars

Who are the pop icons of the year? 2024 was the year of the rise (or emergence) of new music stars

Perhaps not since the rise of Dua Lipa in 2016 have we witnessed such a fortunate year for pop music. Three popstars, three symbols of 2024, and the three headliners of the 23rd edition of the Primavera Sound Festival. Last year, Lana del Rey graced the event's stage, marking the beginning of her big comeback. For these three women, it’s a moment of confirmation. But who are we talking about?

Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter. However you look at it, these three artists are the most important of the moment. The Primavera Sound Festival marks an indisputable milestone, solidifying their status as the new global pop icons, each with their own unique flair. Charli XCX will perform at the festival for the second consecutive year, fueled by the success of her unstoppable album Brat; Chappell Roan will take the stage with The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess; and Sabrina Carpenter, an American doll embodying the pink essence of pop, will showcase the endless charm of Short n' Sweet.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina entered our lives as the quintessential blonde beauty. A veteran singer, she skyrocketed in popularity this year after being chosen as the opener for a leg of mega pop star Taylor Swift's tour and releasing new tracks in 2023. The 25-year-old debuted at Coachella last April, delivered hits like Espresso and Please Please Please, and dropped her sixth studio album, Short n' Sweet, in August. Please Please Please marked her first song to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Similarly, Short n' Sweet became her first Billboard 200 number-one album and her first platinum-certified record. The album sold the equivalent of 1 million copies within a month of release: a global, noteworthy success.

@taytaytune New Juno Pose LA night 3 @Sabrina Carpenter #sabrinacarpenter #shortnsweet #shortnsweettour #junopose #juno Originalton - ( Taylor’s Version )

Often described as a real-life Bratz or Polly Pocket, many of her heeled boots, short dresses, and miniskirts have gone viral online. Her looks have garnered so much attention that TikTok users nicknamed her platform boots “Sabrina Carpenter shoes”, created numerous accounts dedicated to her style, and posted detailed TikTok videos about her fashion, showcasing her influence. Especially popular on the platform is her famous Juno performance, where every stop features a revealed “Juno Pose”, with a not-so-subtle sexy intent, as the song itself speaks of fiery love.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan rose to fame thanks to her unique combination of musical talent, stage presence, and her ability to tackle emotional and personal themes in her songs—all wrapped in a blend of pop, alt-pop, and indie. Her rise has been relatively swift, but it was built on a solid foundation, including a strong artistic and personal identity.

Many consider her the popstar of the future. With a sound inspired by '80s vibes and an eccentric style, she has become one of 2024’s musical breakthroughs. "Your favourite artist’s favourite artist": this is what Google suggests when searching for Chappell Roan’s name. Her music, characterized by bold lyrics and vintage melodies, has made her an inspiration for younger generations. After signing with a record label at just 16 years old, she endured a long journey that culminated in 2023 with her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Her success skyrocketed with the summer hit Good Luck, Babe!, earning millions of streams and securing performances at prestigious festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Whether it’s catching the attention of photographers, turning off comments to maintain her peace, or directly addressing fans through video messages, Roan is never afraid to speak her mind. In an interview, Miley Cyrus openly discussed her fame and revealed that she had reached out to Chappell earlier this year after a series of TikTok videos began to go viral. Indeed, Roan shared that she received support from stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish after she started calling out fans for crossing boundaries

Charli XCX

Boom, Clap was a cultural reset for all of us, serving as the soundtrack for the film The Fault in Our Stars (2014), based on the novel by Tumblr’s favorite author, John Green. That’s how we first got to know Charli XCX, who we think deserves the Album of the Year award for Brat. Brat Summer, Apple dance, the greenish hue, the exact font of the album cover reproduced everywhere: Charli, who spent much of her career working outside the mainstream, has come a long way.

The British popstar, first discovered via her Myspace page, is not only responsible for the summer’s most iconic memes but has even made an impact on the turbulent U.S. presidential elections. When Charli wrote "Kamala is BRAT," she instantly transformed a political figure into a messy it-girlie of the Internet. After its release, Brat quickly garnered universal critical acclaim, becoming one of the 25 highest-rated albums of all time on Metacritic. At this year’s Glastonbury, some fans reported queues "as long as Glastonbury’s own entrance" before the Silver Hayes field was closed ahead of her DJ set.

As if that wasn’t enough, Brat gifted us a collaboration that healed our broken hearts, bringing back another of our most disruptive and nostalgic popstars: Lorde. The two even performed live together, singing "One day we might make some music / The internet would go crazy", and that’s exactly what happened. The track Girl, so confusing has both a standard version and one featuring the New Zealand singer, and the Internet hasn’t been the same since.

@lordeandthepopgirls CHARLI XCX BROUGHT OUT LORDE FOR THE GIRL SO CONFUSING REMIX WTFFFF vid cred: onlyfools on x #sweattour #charlixcx #lorde original sound - lordeandthepopgirls

And Beyoncé and Taylor Swift?

With the rise of new popstars, many wonder what the future holds for legends like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, who have dominated the music scene for over a decade. While the musical landscape is constantly evolving and new stars emerge regularly, it’s unlikely that these two supernovas will fade anytime soon.

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are not just popstars but cultural icons, especially in the U.S. Their influence extends beyond music, encompassing fashion, activism, and even politics. They have built lasting connections with their fans, and the importance of their fanbases cannot be overlooked, especially since their appeal transcends fleeting trends. While new voices continue to emerge, their legacy and cultural impact will ensure they remain at the forefront. We can only hope the music industry remains as diverse and open as ever, occasionally surprising us with new idols to admire.