As we reach the midpoint of 2025, Billboard has unveiled its top 50 albums and songs of the year thus far, showcasing the best in music. This midyear review offers an opportunity to reflect on the past six months in pop music — identifying the artists who have thrived, those who have faltered, and those who have unexpectedly faded from the spotlight. It also raises the question of which artists might stage a comeback and ultimately shape the musical landscape by the end of 2025.

In this week’s episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger reunites with three Billboard team members (Kyle Denis, Meghan Mahar, and Jason Lipshutz) who previously joined him in January for our inaugural Greatest Pop Stars Fantasy Draft. During this engaging episode, they each assess their drafted teams of pop stars, analyzing how well their selections have performed thus far in 2025. The conversation also includes a broader discussion on which artists are currently leading the race for pop stardom this year, as well as predictions on which artists might still emerge as significant contenders before the year wraps up.

Throughout the discussion, the hosts tackle pressing questions regarding the first half of 2025 in the realm of pop music: Why does this year feel like a continuation of 2024? Does the notable success of the track “Nokia” justify the choice of drafting Drake over Kendrick Lamar? What has happened to Harry Styles? Did Bruno Mars stealthily release the best song of his career in a mere one-minute baile funk track that has gone unnoticed? Is Sabrina Carpenter poised for a significant comeback? What about Cardi B? And perhaps most intriguingly, where does Benson Boone fit into this evolving narrative of pop stardom?

Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to the podcast above, and make sure to subscribe to the Greatest Pop Stars podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform for weekly insights every Thursday on all things related to pop stardom!

As a reminder in our ongoing discussions on the GPS podcast, we encourage you to contribute to important causes that support trans rights. If you have the means, please consider donating to the following organizations that advocate for the rights and welfare of transgender individuals:

Transgender Law Center

Trans Lifeline

Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising initiatives available on GoFundMe

Additionally, we urge you to reach out to your local representatives in support of trans rights. You can find contact information for your congressional leaders on 5Calls.org.