Hilary Duff returns to pop radio as “Roommates” debuts on the Pop Airplay chart, marking her first appearance on the Billboard list in more than a decade. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 04: Hilary ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts. As Justin Bieber’s “Yukon” debuts on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart, ...

This one was really a wild card. No one really expected what was basically spoken-word German-language rap music about classical composers to make such waves on English-language pop music radio.

My interest in rock music never ventured much past the edge of the pop world. The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, or U2 never resonated with me on a personal level. Growing up I would hear them on the ...