This Is Pop poster

TV series

This Is Pop

2021TV-MA1 season5.9 / 10

Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore dimensions of pop music you never knew existed.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

This Is Pop premiered March 6, 2021. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

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Synopsis

Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore dimensions of pop music you never knew existed.

Cast, crew and production details

About This Is Pop

Watch trailerThis Is Pop | Official Trailer | Banger Films

Cast

T-PainSelf

Harold Andy HildebrandSelf

Suzanne CianiSelf

CherSelf (archive footage)

JAŸ-ZSelf (archive footage)

Jimmy KimmelSelf (archive footage)

David LettermanSelf (archive footage)

Jennifer LopezSelf (archive footage)

Credits

Written by: John Semley, Del Cowie, Dylan Reibling, Anupa Mistry, Samantha Hall

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Documentary
Episodes: 8
Original language: English

Networks & production

CTVCanada
Banger FilmsCanada

Themes

artistic collaborationsartistic legacyartistic processartistic revolutionfamous songhistory and legacyindustrial musicmusic documentarymusic historymusic industrymusic managermusic recordingpop song

Season 1 episodes

Watch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.

Episode 1

Auto-Tune

Mar 6, 202144m2.0 / 10

Love it or hate it, Auto-Tune has changed pop music. From Cher's "Believe" to Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," the sound has penetrated the globe and revolutionized music since its invention in 1997. Some say the pitch-correction technology has ruined music, while others have found fame by using the tool creatively. Tracing Auto-Tune's roots to predecessors like the synthesizer, the good, the bad, and the ugly of this game-changing technology is revealed, grounded in a personal account of Auto-Tune's most famous user, T-Pain.

Directed by Jared RaabWritten by Anupa MistryGuest stars T-Pain, Harold Andy Hildebrand, Suzanne Ciani, Cher, JAŸ-Z, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Jennifer Lopez

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode 2

Hail Britpop!

Mar 13, 202144m

Britpop. The word can elicit an eye roll, an itch to get on the dance floor, or a sudden urge to cry and sing "Wonderwall." In the early ‘90s, when America was hooked on grunge, The Brits retaliated with a return to catchy, witty, and downright fun pop, speaking to their own stories and cultural roots. This musical zeitgeist known as "Britpop" went far behind the headlines of "Oasis vs. Blur" – bands like Elastica, Echobelly, Pulp, Lush, and Suede became international exports with a unique sound.

Directed by Reginald HarkemaWritten by John Semley, Del CowieGuest stars Alex James, Dave Rowntree, Miki Berenyi, Damon Albarn, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode 3

Stockholm Syndrome

Mar 20, 202144m

Since 1974, when a little-known group named ABBA won Eurovision's song contest with their track "Waterloo," Sweden has been a global force in exporting pop music. Cassette players and bedroom walls have been filled with the likes of Roxette, Ace of Base, and Robyn, and ‘90s playlists featuring Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC would be obsolete without the work of Swedes Denniz Pop and Max Martin.

Directed by Jared RaabWritten by John Semley, Samantha HallGuest stars Ludwig Göransson, Benny Andersson, Ulf Ekberg, Brian Littrell, Shellback, E-Type, Laleh Pourkarim, Lykke Li

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode 4

The Boyz II Men Effect

Mar 27, 202144m

Before Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and 98 Degrees, there was a "boy band" from Philadelphia called Boyz II Men that ruled the charts. With their incredible vocal harmonies and preppy-cool style, Boyz II Men became the "soundtrack to our lives" with hits like "End of The Road", "I'll Make Love To You", "Motown Philly," and "One Sweet Day" – heard at weddings, proms, karaoke bars, and funerals alike. Going back to the band's humble beginnings in Philadelphia, this episode pays homage to the influential R&B group who set the template for ‘90s boy bands.

Directed by Chelsea McMullanWritten by Del CowieGuest stars Wanyá Morris, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, Nick Lachey, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez

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Episode 5

When Country Goes Pop

Apr 3, 202144m

It's a tale as old as time – a country song goes "pop" and country music fans protest. From Dolly Parton to Shania Twain to Lil Nas X, the scrutiny around what makes a song "country" has been a raging debate that shows no signs of slowing down.

Directed by Simon EnnisWritten by John SemleyGuest stars Brandi Carlile, Steve Earle, Wynonna Judd, Shania Twain, Neko Case, Tanya Tucker, Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Bowen

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode 6

The Brill Building in 4 Songs

Apr 10, 202144m

New York City's Brill Building and pop music go together like bread and butter, or in this case, like King n' Goffin, Leiber n' Stoller, or Barry n' Kim. In the 1950s and 60s, songwriters, record producers, and wannabe pop stars flocked to 1619 Broadway in New York with dreams of churning out the next big hit. Full of small rooms with upright pianos, The Brill Building was labelled a "song-factory", but its true spirit grew out of a community that collaborated and challenged each other to achieve greatness.

Directed by Chelsea McMullanWritten by John SemleyGuest stars Mike Stoller, Linda Perry, Donita Sparks, Neil Sedaka

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode 7

What Can A Song Do?

Apr 17, 202144m

For decades, musicians have been using music as their weapon of choice against social injustice, discrimination and marginalization. From Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" to Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," a song is one of the most powerful ways to transmit a message to a large audience.

Directed by Lisa RideoutWritten by Del CowieGuest stars Hozier, Chuck D, Billie Holiday, Martin Luther King Jr., Donald Trump, Otis Williams, Rose McGowan, Spike Lee

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Episode 8

Festival Rising

Apr 24, 202144mFinale

There is no rite of passage quite like the music festival. Millions of people attend them each year and now more than ever they infiltrate our culture from “festival wear” clothing lines to playlists. Taking a journey from ‘60s counterculture to modern-day "selfie" culture, the evolution of the music festival is explored to examine deeper ideas about the importance of collective experiences, and they act as a cultural mirror that reflect interests and ideals.

Directed by Dylan ReiblingWritten by John Semley, Dylan ReiblingGuest stars Jack Casady, Fred Durst, Marc Bolan, Jimi Hendrix, Dick Clark, Ice Cube, Brandon Flowers, Bono

Where to watch This Is Pop

Episode information updated Jul 22, 2026

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