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Pop culture is the engine driving modern marketing—because when relevance is currency, culture is the vehicle. Across every industry, pop culture shapes how we connect, influence, and create. From the sounds dominating playlists to moment-defining aesthetics, flavors that shape our tastes, and the tastemakers behind it all—these elements come together to define the zeitgeist. |
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BMF was born in the music business—one of pop culture’s most powerful and enduring global forces. More than two decades later, we’re still helping brands tap into culture in ways that feel fresh, relevant, and forward-thinking. What makes pop culture so fascinating is its duality: it’s always evolving—yet constantly nodding to its own iconic past. |
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Read on to see how brands aren’t just tapping into pop culture, but actively creating it—shaping what’s now, and what’s next. |
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Bruce, Brian, Ed + The BMF Team |
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 | Pulse Check: Rising Pop Culture Icons |
| A new wave of cultural trailblazers are redefining what it means to be a pop culture icon—chart-topping artists, fearless athletes, and digital creators shaping what’s next. These rising stars aren’t just having a moment, they’re defining the future of pop culture. Follow their journey, or make your brand a part of their story. ➔ |
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 | BMF Connects With Branden Chapman |
| BMF founding partner Brian Feit sat down with Branden Chapman, COO and Head of Entertainment at the Recording Academy, to unpack the evolving definition of “pop.” ➔ |
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The New + The NoteworthyEverything Worth Doing/Seeing/Getting/Booking |
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 | | BMF client Cécred—pop culture icon Beyoncé’s haircare brand—just dropped its biggest exclusive launch yet at Ulta Beauty. Now available in 1,400+ stores nationwide, Cécred blends science, soul, and style with Queen Bey’s signature touch. This isn’t just a hair launch—it’s an iconic beauty moment. Shop here. ➔ |
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 | Photo via Sony Music x BMF |
| BMF is partnering with SONY Music to celebrate one of the most iconic eras in pop culture—Y2K. As the home to the era’s biggest hits—from Oops!... I Did It Again to Stankonia and No Strings Attached—SONY is bringing its legendary catalog to life with a year-long, multi-channel campaign. Expect immersive IRL experiences, high-impact digital storytelling, and brand collabs that tap into nostalgia while driving culture forward. Learn more about the Y2K revival and explore sponsorship opportunities for your brand here—email brian@wearebmf.com to get involved. ➔ |
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 | | Life and Trust is the latest theater sensation hitting NYC. Set in a decadent 1929 Manhattan high-rise, this immersive experience blends jazz, mystery, and pre-crash chaos in a six-story plunge through ambition and betrayal. From the creators of Sleep No More, it’s live drama reimagined. Get your tickets now. ➔ |
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 | Photos via Executive Traveler |
| Coachella Weekend 1 delivered the pop spectacle we were promised. Lady Gaga kicked things off with a jaw-dropping set packed with drama, choreography, and a full-blown chessboard dance-off: classic Gaga, larger than life. Night 2, Charli XCX lit up the desert with her Brat set, pulling in surprise guests Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Troye Sivan to turn the stage into the ultimate pop playground. Weekend 2, your move. Get your last minute passes here and stream live on Youtube here. ➔ |
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 | | The Real Housewives have defined some of reality TV’s biggest pop culture moments—now, their kids are stepping into the spotlight. Bravo’s Next Gen NYC premieres June 3 at 9 p.m. ET. With Gia Giudice, Riley Burruss, Ariana Biermann, and Brooks Marks leading the cast, the series blends legacy and ambition serving up a fresh dose of reality TV royalty for the pop culture obsessed. Check out the trailer here. ➔ |
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 | | Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball tour is already 2025’s pop culture moment. Kicking off with Coachella headliners on April 11 & 18, Gaga’s set to light up the stage with hits from Mayhem, including the buzzed-about Killah ft. Gesaffelstein. Global dates to follow—Gaga season is officially upon the little monsters. Book tickets here. ➔ |
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 | | Earth Day is coming up—and let’s face it, there’s no red carpet, no viral moment, no music drop–no pop culture–without a planet to stand on. We’re proud to support EARTHDAY.ORG as they lead cleanups across underserved U.S. communities hit hardest by climate disasters—from Detroit to Miami to San Francisco. It’s about more than picking up trash—it’s about reclaiming space, restoring pride, and protecting the places we call home. Learn more and get involved here. ➔ |
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The FrequencyWhat We’re Listening To Now. |
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 | | The Wicked album has become one of the biggest pop culture sensations of the year—driven by the powerhouse vocals of global pop icon Ariana Grande. A blend of Broadway legacy and big-screen spectacle, it’s taken over playlists, TikTok trends, and cultural conversations alike. And with hype already building for part two, the Wicked era is just getting started. Listen now. ➔ |
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 | BMF has partnered with Flash GEA (jē), NYC’s hottest up-and-coming DJ and genre-blending producer known for having his finger on the pulse of the city’s vibrant music scene. From his electrifying sets at the hottest venues to his signature mix of big room techno and acid house, @flashgea is the sound selector that major brands and tastemakers are turning to. For this Pop Edition of The Pulse, Flash curated a playlist of high-energy pop and fresh drops—listen here. ➔ |
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That’s Fire By Sir Candle Man 🔥 |
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 | BMF has teamed up with fragrance connoisseur Kudzi Chikumbu, aka Sir Candle Man, for the scent of the season in our Pop Edition. His pick? Harlem Candle Company’s Love Ceramic Gold, a fragrance that captures the essence of RHOBH’s newest icon, Bozoma Saint John. Kudzi, who gifted the candle to Bozoma years ago, describes it as the perfect reflection of her brilliance, style, and warmth. With notes of rose, sandalwood, apple, and clove, it’s a scent that feels both powerful and elegant. Polished, pop-forward, and made to stand out—this one’s worth lighting up. Shop here. ➔ |
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The DestinationNow Departing... |
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 | Photo via Greater Palm Springs |
| Palm Springs is where Gen Z escapes to aestheticize. Mid-century homes, Coachella, and desert backdrops are a stage for influencer shoots, brand pop-ups, and festivals. If you’re headed to Coachella Weekend 2 or Stagecoach for Lana Del Rey’s very special country set–let us guide you. ➔ |
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| | Let’s chat about how we can keep your brand in tune with the pulse of culture. |
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The SublimeCreators, Innovators, And Cool $#!+ You Should Know About. |
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 | | Blue Origin just redefined going beyond. Led by Lauren Sánchez, an all-women crew featuring pop culture icons from music to aerospace Katy Perry, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, and Aisha Bowe launched into history. With Beyoncé in their ears and Oprah cheering from Earth, it was more than a suborbital flight, it was a pop culture moment powered by pure female force. Watch the launch and coverage here. ➔ |
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 | Photos via New York Times |
| The 78th Cannes Film Festival, May 13–24, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining pop culture moment. From Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut to new films by Wes Anderson and Ari Aster, the lineup mixes bold vision with star power. With Robert De Niro receiving the Palme d’Honneur, Cannes isn’t just about cinema—it’s where pop meets prestige. View the schedule and films here. ➔ |
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 | | Black Mirror is streaming now on Netflix, the new season dropped with six standalone episodes that dive deep into our tech-fueled obsessions, each featuring a fresh storyline and a new A-list cast. From Issa Rae and Awkwafina to Paul Giamatti, this season doesn’t just reflect our anxieties, it amplifies them with gripping storytelling and unforgettable performances. Stream the new season here. ➔ |
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 | | Luar sits at the intersection of pop and fashion—where bold design meets cultural heat. Founded by Raul Lopez, the brand blends Dominican roots with downtown edge, earning co-signs from icons like Beyoncé and Dua Lipa. From the viral Ana bag to runway moments that break the internet, Luar is defining the new wave of fashion-forward pop. Shop here. ➔ |
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| Meghan Markle’s Confessions of a Female Founder is already a pop culture player charting at No. 2 on Apple Podcasts. Kicking off with Bumble’s CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd, the series blends business grit with personal depth, reflecting Meghan’s own brand journey and cultural pull. ➔ |
| Photo via Evening Standard |
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Miley Cyrus’s Something Beautiful is more than a visual album—it’s a full-on pop meets fashion moment. Teaming with stylist Bradley Kenneth, she stuns in archival Mugler, Gaultier, and Bob Mackie, including the iconic 1997 Mugler “Spider” look. Music meets couture in true Miley form. Stream her single Something Beautiful now! ➔ |
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 | | Sabrina Carpenter takes center stage in Fortnite Festival Season 8. Fans can unlock her iconic yellow dress, tour-ready outfits, emotes set to “Taste” and “Please Please Please,” plus Jam Tracks like “Espresso” and “Feather.” Pop meets play, download here. ➔ |
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 | | Fresh off tours with Billie Eilish, The 1975, and now Gracie Abrams, Dora Jar is no longer just a name to watch, she’s the name shaping pop’s future. Her debut album No Way to Relax When You Are on Fire blends bedroom-pop with surreal storytelling. With a sound that’s intimate and totally transportive, Pop’s next era has arrived, and her name is Dora. ➔ |
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The Week in ReviewICYMI... |
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Travel The Social Traveler: Here’s What The Numbers Say ➔ Could The Next Season Of The White Lotus Be Filmed In Australia? Here’s What The Clues Say ➔ Marriott Bonvoy Wants To Send You And 5 Friends To See Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour For Free—And It Includes Flights, Hotels, Tickets, And A Glam Squad ➔ On-Again, Off-Again Tariffs And Their Toll On Travelers ➔
Fashion & Beauty Coach To Become Official Handbag Of The WNBA ➔ Mountain Dew Wants To Be Part Of Your Grooming Routine Now ➔ Macy’s Partners With YSL Beauty For 50th Surrealist Garden-Themed Flower Show ➔ Surprise! The Row Launches Homewares (In The Most The Row Way Possible) ➔
Entertainment Why Are There So Many Rumors About The White Lotus Cast Drama? ➔ Lady Gaga’s Coachella 2025 Performance Was A Love Letter To Alexander McQueen: Her Theatrical Looks And Fashion Easter Eggs ➔ Oscars To Add Stunt Design Award For Its 100th Ceremony ➔ Erik And Lyle Menendez Granted Resentencing Hearing As Judge Rejects New D.A.’s Motion ➔
Technology Scan Anything, Anywhere With An App That's Just $42 For Life ➔ OMG You Guys, Instagram Might Finally Get An iPad App ➔ TikTok Wants Me To Host A Dinner Party. Is That An Actual Recession Indicator? ➔ Samsung's New Rugged Phone Is Made for Work Sites, Has A Replaceable Battery And AI ➔
Media Everything You Need To Know About the All-Female Blue Origin Space Flight ➔ Viral Trader Joe’s Mini Tote Bags Are Back In Easter Colors, Reselling For More Than $1,000 ➔ The Best And Buzziest Moments From Coachella 2025 ➔ The Hottest New Social Scene Might Be A Book Club ➔
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