On today’s episode, we’re tackling a question from a listener named Joel: Why do singers lose their accents when they sing?

Our guest this week is New Yorker writer Kelefa Sanneh. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore identity in country music, why Taylor Swift stopped singing with a twang, how Drake changed the way people think about authenticity in hip-hop, and why Adele and Harry Styles don’t sound British when they sing.

Want to hear all the music from this episode? Check out our newsletter for a playlist.

Check out Kelefa’s book Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres

If you’re new here, listen to episode 36: Is Taylor Swift bigger than Michael Jackson? and check out our NST starter pack. 

Fill out our NST listener survey here.

Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst  

Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

On today&rsquo;s episode, we&rsquo;re tackling a question from a listener named Joel: Why do singers lose their accents when they sing?
Our guest this week is <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/kelefa-sanneh">New Yorker writer Kelefa Sanneh</a>. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore identity in country music, why Taylor Swift stopped singing with a twang, how Drake changed the way people think about authenticity in hip-hop, and why Adele and Harry Styles don&rsquo;t sound British when they sing.
Want to hear all the music from this episode? <a href="https://www.nosuchthing.show/p/why-do-singers-lose-their-accents-taylor-swift-adele">Check out our newsletter for a playlist.</a>
<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576360/major-labels-by-kelefa-sanneh/">Check out Kelefa&rsquo;s book Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres</a>
If you&rsquo;re new here, listen to episode 36: <a href="https://www.nosuchthing.show/p/is-taylor-swift-bigger-than-michael-jackson">Is Taylor Swift bigger than Michael Jackson?</a> and check out our <a href="https://www.nosuchthing.show/p/the-no-such-thing-starter-pack">NST starter pack</a>.&nbsp;
Fill out our<a href="https://forms.gle/gPXJfEBc5n584kog7"> NST listener survey here.</a>
Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="http://www.nordvpn.com/nst"> http://www.nordvpn.com/nst</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan — three best friends and journalists — as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research. 

Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don’t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.

NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can’t agree on. If you’ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.

New episodes on Wednesdays.

For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show.

And if you have any questions you’d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan &mdash; three best friends and journalists &mdash; as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.&nbsp;
Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don&rsquo;t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.
NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can&rsquo;t agree on. If you&rsquo;ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.
New episodes on Wednesdays.
For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at <a href="http://www.nosuchthing.show">www.nosuchthing.show</a>.
And if you have any questions you&rsquo;d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

NO SUCH THING

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan &mdash; three best friends and journalists &mdash; as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.&nbsp;
Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don&rsquo;t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.
NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can&rsquo;t agree on. If you&rsquo;ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.
New episodes on Wednesdays.
For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at <a href="http://www.nosuchthing.show">www.nosuchthing.show</a>.
And if you have any questions you&rsquo;d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

Why did Taylor Swift stop singing in a country accent?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5d31e5d2-07bd-4cc8-a62d-b442002074e4/transcript