In January of 2024, two new artists stepped onto the pop scene and would change it forever. The movie remake of “Mean Girls: The Musical” hits theaters and people started doing the “H-O-T-T-O-G-O dance” across social media and introduced the world to Renee Rapp and Chappell Roan. Two different styles, two different voices but they have had the same impact on the pop landscape.

Let’s begin with the pioneer of hyper-femme pop: Chappell Roan. Chappell’s music is simultaneously familiar yet unique; you can draw comparisons to Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush and Lady Gaga. But there is also something about her music that is purely Chappell. It may be her signature vocal flips that add light yet powerful dynamics to her vocals, it may be how her music combines vintage synth tunes with more modern instrumentals or maybe it’s the fact that her songs are heartfelt which easy to listen on repeat day in and day out.

Or maybe it’s how Chappell has created her own eye-catching dress code for her shows. While the audience has the option to follow a dress code inspired by her songs such as “Casual” or “Super Graphic Ultra Modern girl”, Chappell plays by her own rules. every show she wears a new over-the-top, often sparkly getup combined with drag inspired makeup that makes every single outfit fantastically memorable. Chappell’s combination of hyper pop and a hyper feminine appearance created a new subsect of music and art that revolves around being ultra feminine and celebrates often downplayed aspects of being a woman.

While Chappell’s is more of a glitzy girl’s fantasy, Renee Rapp plays into a more tangible dream.

Starting out her career as Wendla in a regional production of Spring Awakening, Rapp would soon be casted in what would turn out to be the most important role of her career; Regina George in the Broadway production of Mean Girls: The Musical. After releasing an EP and a studio album, Rapp’s iconic performance as Regina George in the movie remake of the Mean Girls musical would solidify her place in angsty, queer girls hearts.

Renee Rapp’s songs incapsulate having everything everyone wants, while sobering with her reality and struggles of still being an ordinary person. Rapp is confident yet vulnerable that just draws you into her one way or another. Her voice is almost silky, and her words flow satisfyingly off her tongue like nothing. But she has those powerful musical theatre belts that give so much more emotion to her ballads. Her musical theatre background allows her to project potent emotions with her voice with an addictive ease.

There are many artists who play in some way into the same chords as Chappell Roan and Renee Rapp, but why did they experience such success. What does their success mean for the future of the pop world?

Roan and Rapp are authentically themselves, even if their stage personas are something beyond our reach. They’re relatable yet above us, they’re everything we wish we were. Their discographies combine pop and fizz with angst and longing in a addictive swirl that keeps you listening and wanting more.

With new content on the horizon for both artists, one can wonder if other artists who may be conforming to their assigned niche may take some inspiration. Chappell and Rapp both make music “their own” and it feels like a breath of fresh air. These two artists may set a new precedent and will encourage other artists to make fun, campy, whatever they want kind of pop.