List of Popular Music Journalists [2024 Update]

By Intelligent Relations Team

January 13, 2023

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The music industry is all about staying connected. Getting the right PR surrounding a new artist, song, or label can make all the difference in the journey toward the Billboard Top 100. Music reviewers are prominent voices in the industry, covering topics from mainstream pop to underground electronica.

Whether you are a musician, run a music business podcast, or create music-related products, you should find the best music journalists to contact with our curated list below. 

Our list of music critics spans all genres and people who never shy away from a good scoop or hot take. 

Our Roundup of Music Journalists for 2024

Bob Lefsetz — (@Lefsetz) Bob Lefsetz is a music industry analyst and commentator who writes a daily email newsletter called “The Lefsetz Letter,” which is widely read by music industry professionals. He is known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions on the music industry and the artists within it. He has worked as a consultant for various music companies and has written for publications such as Rolling Stone and Billboard. You can find his newsletter and more information on his website, lefsetz.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @boblefsetz.

Jason Lipshutz — (@jasonlipshutz) Jason Lipshutz is a music journalist and editor who currently works as the Senior Editor of Music at Billboard. He has previously worked as a writer and editor for publications such as Rolling Stone, MTV News, and Entertainment Weekly. In addition to his work as a journalist, Lipshutz is also a DJ and has played at music festivals such as Coachella and Bonnaroo. You can follow him on Twitter at @jasonlipshutz.

Jessica Hopper — (@jesshopp) Jessica Hopper is a music journalist, editor, and author who has written for publications such as Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. She is known for her feminist perspective on the music industry and the ways in which it impacts women and marginalized groups. In addition to her work as a journalist, Hopper is also a musician and has released several albums with her band The Hopper. You can follow her on Twitter at @jesshopper. 

Sam Sodomsky— (@ssodomsky) Sam Sodomsky is a music journalist and editor who currently works as the Deputy Editor at Pitchfork. He has previously written for publications such as Spin, Noisey, and Stereogum, and has a particular interest in indie rock and electronic music. You can follow him on Twitter at @SamSodomsky.

Annie Zaleski — (@anniezaleski) Annie Zaleski is a music journalist and editor who has written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Rolling Stone, and Paste Magazine. She has a particular interest in indie rock, punk, and alternative music, and is known for her in-depth interviews with musicians and her insightful writing on the music industry. You can follow her on Twitter at @anniezaleski.

Maura Johnston — (@maura) Maura Johnston is a music journalist, editor, and author who has written for publications such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and NPR Music. She has a particular interest in pop music and is known for her incisive and thought-provoking writing on the music industry and the cultural impact of pop music. You can follow her on Twitter at @maura.

Kaitlyn Tiffany — (@kait_tiffany) Kaitlyn Tiffany is a music journalist and editor who has written for publications such as The Atlantic and The New York Times. You can follow her on Twitter at @kait_tiffany.

Anthony Fantano — (@theneedledrop) Anthony Fantano is a music critic and host of the popular YouTube channel “The Needle Drop,” where he reviews and analyzes a wide range of music, from mainstream pop to underground experimental. He is known for his in-depth and often controversial reviews, as well as his engaging and entertaining personality. 

Zane Lowe — (@zanelowe) Zane Lowe is a radio DJ and music journalist, known for his work on BBC Radio 1 and Apple Music’s Beats 1. He has interviewed a wide range of artists, from up-and-coming indie acts to major pop stars, and has a reputation for conducting insightful and thought-provoking interviews. You can follow him on Instagram at @zanelowe.

Stereogum — (@stereogum) (Rachel Brodsky) Stereogum is an online music magazine, focused on indie rock and alternative music. In addition to reviews and interviews, they also cover music news and offer live music coverage from festivals and concerts.

Noisey — (@danozzi) (Dan Ozzi) Noisey is a music and culture website that covers a wide range of genres and topics, from hip-hop and electronic music to punk and metal. They have a team of talented writers and photographers who provide in-depth and often controversial coverage of music and culture.

Gary Suarez — (@iSuarez32) Gary Suarez is a music journalist and blogger who writes about a wide range of genres, from indie rock and metal to electronic and hip hop. He is known for his well-researched and thought-provoking articles, as well as his engaging and entertaining writing style. 

Kiese Laymon — (@KieseLaymon) Kiese Laymon is a music journalist and author who writes about hip hop and R&B, as well as race and politics. He is known for his thought-provoking and often controversial writing, and has published a number of books on these topics.

Marcus J. Moore — (@MarcusJMoore) Marcus J. Moore is a music journalist and critic who covers hip hop and R&B, as well as social and cultural issues. He is known for his in-depth and often critical reviews.

Jon Caramanica — (@joncaramanica) Jon Caramanica is a music critic and journalist for The New York Times, where he covers a wide range of genres and topics, from pop and hip hop to electronic and indie rock.

Greil Marcus — (@GreilMarcusNET) Greil Marcus is a music critic, journalist, and author who has written extensively about popular music and culture. You can follow him on Twitter at @GreilMarcusNET.

Roisin O’Connor — (@Roisin_OConnor) Roisin O’Connor is a music journalist and critic for The Independent, where she covers a wide range of genres and artists. She is known for her incisive and analytical writing style, as well as her enthusiasm for discovering new talent.

Ann Powers — (@annkpowers) Ann Powers is a senior critic at NPR Music, where she writes about a variety of musical genres and cultural topics. She is also the author of several books on music, including “Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music.”

Naima Cochrane — (@naima) Naima Cochrane is a music journalist and editor for Complex, where she covers hip hop and R&B music. She is known for her in-depth interviews with artists and her expertise on the music industry.

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd  — (@jawnita) Julianne Escobedo Shepherd is a music journalist and editor for Jezebel. She is also a DJ and has been featured on numerous podcasts and radio shows.

David Renshaw — (@ddavidrenshaw) David Renshaw is a music journalist and editor for The Guardian, where he covers a wide range of musical genres and cultural topics. He is known for his engaging writing style and his ability to bring new perspectives to his subject matter.

Amanda Petrusich — (@amandapetrusich) Amanda Petrusich is a music journalist and critic for The New Yorker. She is also the author of several books on music, including “Do Not Sell At Any Price: The Wild, Obsessive Hunt for the World’s Rarest 78rpm Records.”

Jon Pareles — (@JonPareles) Jon Pareles is a music journalist and critic for The New York Times. He is known for his in-depth analysis and his ability to bring new perspectives to his subject matter.

Rob Sheffield — (@robsheff) Rob Sheffield is a music journalist and critic for Rolling Stone. He is also the author of several books on music, including “Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time.”

Eric Harvey — (@ericdharvey) Eric Harvey is a music journalist and editor for Pitchfork, where he covers a range of musical genres and cultural topics. He is known for his engaging writing style and his passion for discovering new artists.

Jenn Pelly — (@jennpelly) Jenn Pelly is a music journalist and editor for The Village Voice, where she covers a variety of musical genres and cultural topics. She is known for her in-depth interviews with artists and her expertise on the music industry.

Michael Cragg — (@MichaelCragg) Based in the UK, Michael Cragg is a music journalist and critic for The Guardian. He covers a wide range of genres, from indie and pop to electronic and hip hop. He is known for his insightful and thoughtful reviews, and has a particular interest in exploring the cultural and social contexts of music.

Carl Wilson — (@carlzoilus) Carl Wilson is a music critic and editor for Slate Magazine, where he writes about the intersection of music, culture, and politics. He has a passion for experimental and avant-garde music, and is known for his thought-provoking analysis of contemporary trends in the music industry.

Rob Tannenbaum — (@tannenbaumr) Rob Tannenbaum is a music journalist and author who has written for a wide range of publications, including Rolling Stone, GQ, and The New York Times. He has a particular interest in exploring the history and cultural significance of popular music, and is the co-author of the book “I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution.”

Dave Heaton — Dave Heaton is a music journalist and critic based in Iowa. He writes about a wide range of musical genres, including indie rock, folk, and electronic music. He is known for his in-depth and thorough reviews, and has a particular interest in exploring the stories and histories behind the music he covers.

Daphne Brooks — (@daphbrooksmusic) Daphne Brooks is a music critic and scholar who writes about the intersection of race, gender, and music. She has written for a range of publications including The New Yorker, The Nation, and The Guardian, and is known for her insightful analysis of contemporary music and its cultural significance.

Jody Rosen — (@jodyrosen) Jody Rosen is a music critic and journalist based in New York City. He writes about a wide range of musical genres, from pop and rock to hip hop and electronic music. He is known for his engaging writing style and his ability to connect music to larger cultural and social issues.

Hanif Abdurraqib — (@NifMuhammad) Hanif Abdurraqib is a music critic and cultural commentator based in Columbus, Ohio. Abdurraqib is the author of several books, including “Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest” and “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us.”

Jamie Milton — (@jamiemilton_) Jamie Milton is a music journalist and critic based in the UK. He writes, edits, and produces for BBC Radio 1. 

Final Thoughts

With all the voices in the media vying for a spot on the mic, it can be hard to find the right media outlet for your talent.

But the right music journalist can give a career or music business product the boost it needs. Use our list as a guide to get you on the right track!

For access to more journalists covering your specific industry, book a free consultation with us. You’ll get access to our AI-powered media database featuring 200K+ journalists and relevant publications.