#201 - Grace Bowers Plays Guitar, While Billie Not-So-Gently Sweeps (the AMAs)

On this WorkTape edition, we break down the shockwaves from this year’s Billboard AMAs, where Billie Eilish cleaned house while Taylor Swift went home empty-handed. From industry politics to pop sound fatigue, we question what awards actually say about artistry. Additionally, we dissect the strange wins—like Eminem over Kendrick—and wonder if the AMAs are picking legacy over relevance. Plus, a spotlight on rising artists like Lola Young and Grace Bowers, and how blues, funk, and jazz are quietly reshaping the next wave of pop. If you're keeping score on who’s innovating and who’s coasting, this one’s for you.🎧 Episode Highlights:How did Billie Eilish end up sweeping the AMAs after getting snubbed at the Grammys?Is consistency in sound helping or hurting Billie’s chances at future awards?Does Hit Me Hard and Soft feel more like a sequel than a new direction?Why did Eminem beat Kendrick for Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist in 2025?Are the AMAs rewarding legacy acts over current cultural relevance?What does Bruno & Gaga’s duet Die With a Smile say about safe hits dominating the charts?How are artists like Grace Bowers and Lola Young reshaping modern blues and pop?