Lost on Pop Culture

Coming back after being gone from pop culture for two years definitely left me confused during the Dick Clark's New Year's show. My friends had to constantly answer my questions, "Who's that singer?, "When was that guy on American Idol?," What's that song?". I remember one of my friends that came back after being gone a year said road trips were miserable. She didn't know any of the music her friends were playing. Pop culture changes so fast. So, if we're hanging out soon, please feel free to educate me.