A viral paparazzi moment with Dua Lipa in Paris sent the internet into debate mode — and it made me ask a bigger question: why do musicians seem to be chased harder than everyone else?

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, I’m unpacking the real power dynamics behind paparazzi culture — from explosive artist confrontations over the last two years to the surprising global privacy laws that protect celebrities in places like Europe but barely touch them in the U.S.

And then I get into the comment we’ve all seen: “They signed up for this.” Did they? Or are we confusing fame with forfeiting basic human boundaries?

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Links:

• https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/dua-lipa-callum-turner-paparazzi-paris-celebrity-culture-b2919932.html

• https://www.britannica.com/topic/paparazzi

• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/style/justin-bieber-paparazzi.html

• https://people.com/justin-bieber-paparazzi-attention-stop-11721876

• https://www.teenvogue.com/story/chappell-roan-calls-out-photographer-at-olivia-rodrigo-guts-premiere

• https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/dua-lipa-callum-turner-paparazzi-paris-celebrity-culture-b2919932.html

• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/style/justin-bieber-paparazzi.html

• https://www.teenvogue.com/story/chappell-roan-calls-out-photographer-at-olivia-rodrigo-guts-premiere

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, I’m breaking down the performance everyone’s still arguing about — and everything the headlines didn’t explain.

From the moment the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer, the culture war started. Conservatives launched their own “All-American” alternate show. Social media picked sides. Latin America celebrated. And when the final numbers rolled in? The receipts spoke for themselves.

In this episode, I unpack why Benito’s 14-song set wasn’t just a concert — it was a statement. The symbolism. The Puerto Rican pride. The details inside the casita. The surprise appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Even the live wedding that had timelines in shock.

As a Latina host, I’m giving context that a lot of U.S. coverage missed — breaking down what certain visuals meant, why specific songs were chosen, and how this moment fits into the global rise of reggaetón and Latin music.

This episode is your deep dive. Because this wasn’t just halftime. It was history.

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Links:

• https://www.wired.com/story/turning-point-usas-halftime-show-was-exactly-what-youd-expect/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bad-bunny-day-california-super-bowl-lx-halftime-performance-1236175760/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/turning-point-usa-super-bowl-halftime-show-views-1236176603/

• https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/media/super-bowl-lx-ratings-bad-bunny-nbc

• https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/02/08/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-setlist/88539336007/

• https://people.com/how-lady-gagas-outfit-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show-honors-puerto-rico-11902539

I’m setting the stage for tomorrow’s deep dive into Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance (because yes, I have thoughts), but first I’m unpacking the music moments everyone’s been texting about. From the unexpected soundtrack of the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony to the devastating news out of Dreamstate Festival in Australia, this episode moves through the highs and lows of global music culture in real time.

I’m also getting into the relationship discourse surrounding Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes, why Noah Kahan’s return to tour has folk-pop fans spiraling (again), and the major anniversary milestone for Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” — a track that shaped EDM.

If you’re obsessed with music news, pop culture commentary, festival updates, and the stories behind the songs, this mini episode is your midweek reset. Quick, opinionated, and globally tuned-in — just how I like it.

Hit follow, share with your group chat, and get ready for Thursday’s full-length breakdown. 🎧

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Links:

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/winter-olympics-2026-opening-ceremony-highlights-milan-1236175577/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dreamstate-festival-australia-one-dead-six-hospitalized-1236175844/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kelsea-ballerini-chase-stokes-break-up-again-1236176893/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/noah-kahan-tour-dates-2026-1236170801/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/avicii-wake-me-up-three-billion-spotify-streams-1236176618/

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, I’m breaking down everything that made the 2026 Grammys chaotic, historic, and actually worth watching. From standout performances to eyebrow-raising wins, this episode is your full recap of music’s biggest night — minus the boring play-by-play.

I get into the performances everyone’s still talking about, including Justin Bieber’s return to the Grammy stage, the stacked Best New Artist medley, and a powerful In Memoriam tribute led by Ms. Lauryn Hill that reminded Paulina why legacy still matters. Then it’s time for the Big 4: Album, Record, Song, and Best New Artist — with a deep dive into Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win and what it means for Latin music on a global stage.

I also touch on the genre-specific awards that made it onto the telecast (and which ones were quietly snubbed), before closing things out by holding myself accountable: how accurate were my Grammy predictions, and which major categories completely surprised me?

If you care about the Grammys 2026, pop culture, music awards drama, or just want a smart, fun recap you can actually follow — this one’s for you.

🎧 New episode out now.

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Links:

• https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2026-02-01/grammys-2026-winners-list-complete

• https://www.thegoldknight.com/2026/02/grammys-2026-awards-to-be-presented-on.html

On this episode of Educate Your Earbuds, I unpack the rise of mini residencies in live music — sparked by Harry Styles’ Together, Together tour and his decision to play just a handful of global cities instead of hitting the road.

From the glow-up of Las Vegas residencies to modern strategies used by Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and Fred Again.., we break down why artists are ditching traditional tours — and who’s paying the price.

With touring costs skyrocketing and fans already stretched thin, are residencies better for artists’ mental health and sustainability — or are they quietly pricing out loyal fans in smaller cities?

If concerts are no longer about meeting fans where they are, the question becomes: how far are you willing to go to see your favorite artist?

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Links:

• ​​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_residency

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/musicians-stands-residencies-cost-of-touring-1.6943710

• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/billboard_why-are-mini-residencies-the-new-tour-trend-activity-7421690093993758720-dO-9

• https://www.genadmission.org/articles/to-tour-or-not-to-tour-the-case-for-residencies

• https://strathclydetelegraph.com/2026/01/26/when-tours-stop-touring-how-residency-style-models-shift-the-costs-to-fans/

• https://strathclydetelegraph.com/2026/01/26/when-tours-stop-touring-how-residency-style-models-shift-the-costs-to-fans/

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, we’re back with a 15-minute mini episode breaking down the confirmed return of Harry Styles, including a new album, a new tour, and the release of “Aperture.” What does this moment say about where pop music is headed next?

We also get into the 2026 BRIT Award nominations and what they reveal about the current state of UK pop, plus early reactions to Charli XCX’s mockumentary The Moment and why it’s already sparking conversation. Along the way, we touch on a few uncomfortable controversies—from the internet turning on J.Lo to Kim Petras making headlines for reasons that go beyond the music.

We close things out on a brighter note with the upcoming Help2 charity album and why it’s one of the most meaningful releases on the horizon.

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Links:

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-adds-2026-tour-dates-ties-coldplay-wembley-record-1236163680/

• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a70047887/glambot-director-speaks-out-rude-jlo-moment/

• https://variety.com/2026/film/global/charli-xcx-the-moment-a24-fastest-selling-limited-release-1236642178/

• https://www.brits.co.uk/news/2026/brits-2026-nominees-announced/

• https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-industry-news/kim-petras-asks-republic-records-drop-her-1236479275/

• https://www.warchild.org.uk/help2

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, we’re unpacking one of the most humbling moments in live music: realizing you might be the oldest person in the crowd.

A viral Meg and Sombr moment that labeled a 25-year-old as “too old” sparks a bigger conversation about age anxiety in music culture — and why Gen Z seems determined to age out of things as fast as possible. From performative maturity to the endless “I’m too old for this” TikTok discourse, we explore how being “past it” became a personality trait.

So what’s it actually like being the older one at concerts, raves, and festivals? Embarrassing… or kind of elite? We talk through how the live music experience changes over time, the unexpected perks of aging in the crowd, and how to keep having fun without pretending you’re 21. 

If you’ve ever felt ancient in GA or questioned whether there’s an age limit on live music, this episode is for you.

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Links:

• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a69644684/performative-maturity-2025/

• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a69126078/concert-age-gap-sombr/

• https://www.thegirlfriend.com/entertainment/pop-culture/the-night-i-really-felt-like-the-oldest-person-in-the-room/

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Concerts/comments/1mhzp7f/anyone_else_feel_weird_when_theyre_the_oldest/#:~:text=chesterismydog,Music%20is%20one%20for%20me

Why are glow-sticks, LED hoops, poi, and flow stars everywhere at raves? This week on Educate Your Earbuds, we dive into the hypnotic world of flow arts and flow toys—what they are, where they came from, and why they’ve become a staple of EDM and festival culture.

We break down the most popular flow toys, explore their real origins (and debunk a few internet myths), and trace how flow arts moved from underground movement practices into raves, Burning Man, and major EDM festivals. Plus, we talk about why flow toys pair so perfectly with electronic music, bass drops, and late-night dance floors.

For anyone flow-curious — Whether you’re deep in rave culture or just wondering why your friends suddenly own LED props, this episode explains it all!

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Links:

• https://edmidentity.com/2022/07/23/history-of-flow-arts/#:~:text=It's%20human%20nature%20to%20find,music%2C%20community%2C%20and%20dancing.

• https://iheartraves.com/blogs/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-flow-toys?srsltid=AfmBOoqRaL6NIrnYOTVBQWXTjea2ORH-x60t8AbDX95cp5I4XaD2Ch8s

• https://www.reddit.com/r/flowarts/comments/18y03xi/how_did_you_decide_which_flow_toy_to_pick_up_first/

It’s Mini Episode Wednesday, and the music pop culture group chat is officially back.

In this week’s Educate Your Earbuds mini episode, we get into Bruno Mars’ long-awaited return, including details around his new album era and lead single, plus what this comeback could mean for pop music in 2026. I also touch on the internet-shaking headlines surrounding Drake and the recent RICO accusations, unpacking what’s being reported and why fans are spiraling. There’s also a surreal pop culture moment as “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters takes home a Golden Globe, blurring the lines between animation, K-pop, and mainstream awards culture. And of course, I couldn’t resist ending with a surprise update involving Harry Styles that fans will definitely want to hear.

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Links:

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahabraham/2026/01/07/bruno-mars-is-releasing-a-new-album-after-almost-a-decade/

• https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-accused-of-rico-gambling-and-stream-boosting-scheme-in-new-lawsuit/

• https://pitchfork.com/news/bob-weir-dead-78-grateful-dead/

• https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/arts/music/fetty-wap-prison-release.html

• https://pitchfork.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-wins-best-original-song-at-2026-golden-globes/

The Coachella 2026 lineup is here—and the internet has thoughts. On this episode of Educate Your Earbuds, we break down what this year’s lineup really says about the future of music festivals, from the surprisingly early drop to the booking choices that have everyone arguing in group chats.

We talk headliners, including Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G, and why one name alone may explain how Coachella sold out so fast. From pop girl domination to global crossover appeal, this lineup feels like a turning point—and we’re getting into it.

Plus, my must-see Coachella 2026 artists and genre-based picks to help you plan your weekend whether you’re going in person, streaming from home, or just here to judge the lineup. If you love festival discourse, music trend analysis, and slightly unhinged Coachella opinions, this episode is for you.

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Links:

• https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/coachella-2026-lineup-why-festival-tickets-on-sale-early-1236067743/#:~:text=Ultimately%2C%20approximately%20160%2C000%20tickets%20were,each%20weekend%20to%20sell%20out.%E2%80%9D

• https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-09-23/coachella-2026-sold-out

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Coachella/comments/1noqln6/coachella_is_not_sold_out_theory/

• https://www.coachella.com/

• https://lamag.com/arts-and-entertainment/justin-bieber-is-reported-to-receive-eight-figures-for-his-coachella-performance-next-year/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/coachella-2026-sabrina-carpenter-justin-bieber-karol-g-1236067163/

• https://pitchfork.com/news/coachella-2026-lineup-sabrina-carpenter-justin-bieber-karol-g-the-strokes-and-more/