I never set out to be a cult cool artist. I always made music that I thought was pop.

The quote "I never set out to be a cult cool artist. I always made music that I thought was pop." by Charli XCX reflects her approach to music and her understanding of her career trajectory. Charli XCX, known for her innovative and boundary-pushing pop music, emphasizes that she didn't consciously aim to be a niche, underground artist with a cult following. Instead, her intention was always to create mainstream, pop music that resonated with a broad audience. The idea of being a "cult cool artist" is often associated with niche appeal and a more alternative, underground image, which wasn't her initial goal.

The origin of this quote stems from Charli XCX's rise to fame within the pop genre, where she began with commercially successful tracks and eventually evolved into an artist who experiments with new, cutting-edge sounds. Her work, while rooted in pop, has often blurred the lines between mainstream and avant-garde, leading to a following that appreciates both her pop sensibilities and her willingness to take risks. This quote reflects her acknowledgment of how her career has developed, especially with the experimental nature of albums like Charli.

In this context, Charli XCX's statement highlights the tension between pop music's commercial aspirations and the allure of cult status, which typically thrives on being outside of the mainstream. Despite her success in the pop world, she doesn’t intentionally position herself as a subversive or underground artist. Instead, her focus has always been on making music that feels authentic and enjoyable, which just happens to resonate with both pop listeners and a more niche, experimental audience.

Ultimately, this quote reveals Charli XCX's straightforward approach to her music—she didn’t set out to be a trendsetter or a cult figure, but simply wanted to make pop music that she enjoyed. The cult cool status she has acquired is a byproduct of her willingness to push the boundaries of pop music, blending accessibility with experimental elements that have appealed to diverse groups of listeners.