Feb 4, 2019
In the first of an occasional series on fandom, we dive into one of the most loyal, long-running followings in pop music: that of the humble legend Ms. Britney Spears. As an official Britney stan, Pop Literacy cohost Jennifer Keishin Armstrong knows it well, and is here to dissect it with the cohosts of her favorite podcast, It’s Britney, Bitch!, T. Kyle and Bradley Stern.
With Kyle and Bradley, we walk you through the incredible 20-year tale of Britney, from her astonishing debut at 17, to her public struggles with fame at the heights of tabloid culture, to the otherworldly resilience that has kept her going far longer than any mere mortal could. We also talk about the unique trials required of true Britney fans, like a certain conspiracy-theory-inducing skepticism over just what the hell went on with that Britney Jean album or our total panic over her recent “indefinite career hiatus.”
And finally, we offer casual or lapsed Britney fans some recommendations to truly appreciate Britney’s artistry, bravery, cultural significance, and innovation, including the 2008 MTV documentary For the Record,some deep cuts (yes, we made you iTunes and Spotify playlists), and, of course, the It’s Britney, Bitch! podcast.