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PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.

• By Max Ufberg
• Member Exclusive

New research finds socioeconomic conditions impact the type of songs that become hits, but in opposite ways for pop and country music.

• By Tom Jacobs

New textual analysis of Billboard Hot 100 hits shows that certain themes are more likely to be No. 1.

• By Bettina Chang

References to illegal drug use in rap music have increased dramatically over the past two decades, according to a new study.

• By Tom Jacobs