Every single year has its own vibe—and that vibe is usually shaped by music and pop culture. Think about it! Without those two things, each year would kind of feel… the same, right? There wouldn’t be a “What Happened in 2016 Pop Culture?” or “History of Coachella Music Festival” post, because there’d be nothing to talk about. But fortunately, that’s not the case; we live in a world where culture can be defined by moments and music.
With trends and music evolving so quickly, though, how are we supposed to keep up while things are still fresh? Sometimes it feels like as soon as you settle into one trend, a new one’s here to take its place. But that’s where we come in! Whether it’s a new pop icon or a must-know cultural moment, staying plugged in keeps you in the loop.
So, if you’ve ever felt lost in the whirlwind of new trends or wondered how to figure out what’s next before, this post is for you. Today, we’re dropping the best tips and tricks for discovering music and pop culture, WHILE it’s trendy. We’ll teach you how to stay ahead, stay inspired, and enjoy defining moments when they’re here—not weeks later.
How Do You Discover Music and Pop Culture While It’s Trendy?
How do you decide what pop culture even means when everything feels mass-produced and deeply personal at the same time? And how do you spot the difference in a passing trend and a total cultural shift? It can get exhausting trying to keep up in a world that’s fast-paced and ready for the newest, hottest thing. Even the episode “Makeout marathon with GirlBoss Town” from Long Winded talks about it.
But who better to help you stay updated than us? (Quick humble brag, we know!). Today, we’ll talk about social media (and the accounts you’ll want to follow), how to discover popular music while it’s popular, and how to spot new trends before they’re yesterday’s news. Whether you’re into playlists, podcasts, or social feeds, we’ve got tips that will actually help you stay in the know.
But before diving straight in, we have to give you a little history lesson on what pop culture truly is. Because, ultimately, how can you appreciate it if you don’t know how it all started? Grab your notebooks and get ready for Pop Culture 101, Dear Media style—class is in session.
What Is Pop Culture?
Pop culture (AKA popular culture) is the shared world of ideas, trends, and entertainment spread through mass media. It’s what society shares, sees, hears, loves, consumes, debates, memes, and feels. Think: inside jokes, viral dances, today’s hottest pop icons—basically everything you’re scrolling through on TikTok and updating your bestie about.
It’s what we, as a collective, are obsessed with at any given moment—and it’s always evolving. In the 1980s, it was “Did you learn Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance?” whereas now it’s “Did you see Sabrina Carpenter’s new Juno pose?” Same vibe, just different eras. But where did it come from? And who decides what’s worthy of mass consumption in the first place?
We’ll give you the skinny without boring you to death—promise. After the Industrial Revolution, technology and mass production were BOOMING (hence the “industrial” part). People started consuming new forms of media—newspapers, music, radio, film, the whole nine. It was originally considered “high culture” because only the elite could access it. Easy enough, right?
Then came World War II, and pop culture became more accessible to everyone. And everyone wanted to be a part of it. It blended folk culture, fine art, cultural expression, traditions, and most importantly, patriotism. It was no longer something only the rich and famous could access; it became a form of expression for everyone.
Fast forward to now, and pop culture is bigger than ever—we can thank social media for that. We’re able to enjoy new music, new moments, and new celebrities whenever we please. It’s as easy as clicking a button, sharing something to your feeds, and scrolling to the next defining song, movie, or event. (Which is what this episode of Ride also talks about). But how do you stay on top of things and not get overwhelmed?
How To Keep Up With Pop Culture and Music Trends
Stay Updated with the Dear Media Blog
The Dear Media blog is golden for staying in the know without the extra noise. We know how to dissect, celebrate, and hot-take culture in REAL time. And we do it in a way that feels engaging and easily accessible. This means instead of combing through TikTok and scouring Instagram, you can just log on to Dear Media and get your daily pop culture fix.
And yeah, we talk about things like health and wellness, relationship advice, and mental health. But we have just as much content about music, TV shows, books, and art. Think of it like this: if it pertains to pop culture, we’re talking about it.
Don’t know where to start? Check out “Bonnaroo Music Festival History” for a festival-themed trip down memory lane—full of pop culture, music, and legendary moments.
Tune Into the Right Podcasts
Podcasts are one of the EASIEST ways to stay updated on everything happening in the world. And, lucky for you, Dear Media has tons of them. Most podcasts release weekly episodes, meaning they can talk about all the things happening right now. And, chances are, they’ll bring up trends, songs, moments, and movies you didn’t even know were trending.
Take “Scheana Spills on Labubus, Receding Hairlines & Being on the Right Side of History” from Scheananigans, for example. Where else can you get an even blend of pop culture, depth, and a little humor all in the same sitting? Unlike traditional media, podcasts also encourage deeper discussions and genuine reactions. So instead of just reading boring articles about everything trending, it feels like having a friend who’s always plugged in. And that friend just so happens to be Circle Time, Pretty Basic, and The Toast, to name a few.
Want more? Don’t worry, we have plenty to offer. Just check out our pop culture podcasts! And make sure to stay tuned in every week, you never know what you might miss!
Check Out Curated Playlists
Spotify or Apple Music? The debate rages on—and listeners definitely have their favorites. Want our take? They both have playlists that are constantly getting updated with the hottest new tracks, and they both offer easy access to new music. So, honestly, you really can’t go wrong with either!
Apple offers curated playlists, personal recommendations, and their “New Music Daily” playlist. As for Spotify, they offer features like “New Music Friday,” “Discover Weekly,” and “Release Radar.” Both options make it SO easy to connect with fresh artists and discover new music while it’s popular. No more guessing games, just updated playlists and good vibes.
For a heavy, raw discussion about the importance of music, check out “Harry Hudson: Find Your Music” from The Squeeze.
Follow the Right Social Media Accounts
Social media is where pop culture lives and breathes—but only if you’re following the right people. We’ve all hopped online, got distracted, and started doomscrolling, kind of like what this episode of The Bad Broadcast feels like (minus the doom part). But when you follow the right people and pages, your feed becomes full of stuff you care about! You basically get a front-row seat to new trends while they’re still hot.
Follow the influencers, artists, music historians, media companies—everyone whose careers are literally centered around new music and pop culture. Plus, a lot of platforms let you prioritize or favorite specific accounts. This means that when you hop online, their posts will pop up first. Or, you could even get notified whenever they share something new! It’s super easy, and it keeps you from getting distracted each time you get online.
Also, remember, you’re definitely not the only one who struggles to keep up. Just check out “Boyfriend Stealing B*tch” from Probably a Podcast!
Don’t Undervalue Video Games
We know what you’re thinking… “I’m supposed to look at video games to learn about pop culture?” And our answer to that is, YES! It’s not just about the gameplay anymore—tons of video games are all about artistic expression.
Take games like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto VI, and Cyberpunk, for example. Each platform features trendy, exclusive music—and sometimes even viral dances. Staying tapped into the gaming world gives you an entirely different lens on what’s being consumed and what’s influential right now. Trust us, pay attention to the music in these games next time you hop on and see for yourself.
For more video game talk, check out this episode of DITL and this episode of Give It To Me Straight.
Now that you know how to keep up, you’ll never miss a trend or song again.
The world moves fast, but pop culture moves faster. When things feel like they’re in one day and out the next, it can be hard to keep up with what’s relevant. But not only is it possible, it’s also so much easier than you probably expected. So long as you follow the tips we gave you, you’ll be a pop culture connoisseur. Want to relive the trends of the past? Here’s what happened in 1999 pop culture, 2004 pop culture, and 2013 pop culture.
Wanna get started diving into all the hot topics and latest buzz? Head over to the Dear Media blog and get ready to fully immerse yourself in all things trendy and relevant. As soon as you’re done, make sure to check out the DM shop! We have tons of trendy, must-have products that you need ASAP—like these “Coming in Hot” Varsity Shorts!
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