Lady Gaga: a New Musical Sensation

There is the old adage "Everything old is new again." Think about it; right or wrong bellbottom pants came back into style this decade after over 25 years of hanging in the back of your closet. Okay, so not everything about the term leads back to good trends. Madonna was a pioneer in the 1980's for breaking the mold when it came to female artists in the music industry. She played by her own rules, made no apologies, pushed people's buttons, incensed the Catholic Church on more than one occasion, garnered millions of fans worldwide, and in the process became the biggest female artist on the planet. Not bad for a young girl from Michigan.

Fast forward to 2007. We once again find ourselves in the midst of another 'Icon' in the making. Her name is Lady Gaga. She has single handily captured the imagination and attention of the public, press, and like Madonna has wrangled millions of fans across the globe. And all of this at the young age of 24. Good grief, do I feel older than dirt...Born Stefani Germanotta in 1986, the New York native attended a private all-girl Catholic school as a child and began studying music at the age of 17 at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Her musical influences are a blinding reminder of the artist she has become. Flamboyant glam rockers David Bowie, Freddie Mercury from Queen (Lady took the second part of her name 'Ga Ga' from the Queen song "Radio Ga Ga,") Madonna and Michael Jackson only to name a few. Music insiders began to take notice of her on the downtown Manhattan club scene with her performance art show "Lady Gaga and the Starlight Revue." It wasn't until 2008 when she hooked up with pop-rap artist Akon that her career began to take shape. He signed her to his label Kon Live in association with Interscope Records as a solo artist and in-house songwriter. It wasn't until her initial solo single release "Just Dance," dropped in 2008 that the world opened up and Gaga mania was put into motion.

Since that inception Lady Gaga has been everywhere, literally. She has become a stand alone phenomenon. With only two releases to her credit "The Fame," (2008) and "The Fame Monster," (2009 - which subsequently is the first release plus eight new songs) Gaga has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. That is just an unheard of accomplishment. She now sits at the top as the only artist to have seven singles from one release to hit the top of the charts. It's not difficult to see what all the fuss is about. Not only is she incredibly talented but her videos are off the chain. Forget about the simple 'performance video,' - you know, the artist just struts around on stage singing their song and wa-la, a video is shot. You won't get that from Gaga. What you will experience is a shot to your senses and most likely your jaw hitting the floor. Not only is she strikingly sexy and scantily clad but her dancing is reminiscent of Madonna and MJ; the visuals, well, put it this way, Freud would have a field day with the sexual innuendo and imagery. I know I can't stop watching them every time I catch one. Each viewing is a new experience and I catch something I missed the first 10 times before. "Bad Romance," "Paparazzi," "Telephone," w/Beyonce, "Poker Face," (which was parodied on South Park - you know you've really made it when you're on South Park), "Love Game," and now the new release "Alejandro," can be seen on heavy rotation everywhere. Let's face it the music industry has radically changed over the past 10 years. If you don't have a video or at least something imaginative and striking to look at you're better off standing on a street corner playing your instrument and collecting tips. If you don't believe me just as Duran Duran and Def Leppard. I won't say MTV at its dawning age made these bands come alive but it certainly helped. Not to mention they were and still are all good looking guys. Eye candy for the ladies is always a good thing. If the 'total package' isn't there chances are you won't be there either. Gaga has that and more. She's talented. She can sing, dance, and write her own material; a triple threat. She appeals to not only men but women alike; gay and straight, black and white, kids and grandparents. She's got the world at her fingertips and she knows how to play us like a Stradivarius.

Admittedly, it's not all glamour and a bed of roses. Gaga has her detractors. Like I said, she pushes people's buttons, pushes the envelope, not always to everyone's liking. But yeah, that's rock and roll. Elvis did it in the 50's, The Beatles and Rolling Stones in the 60's, Bowie and Elton John in the 70's, Madonna in the 80's, I have no idea about the 90's, and now Lady in the new decade. Some will argue she goes too far with her visualization in her videos, her outlandish costumes, her sexuality, etc. I can see their point to an extent though I may not agree. Everyone has their own opinion. I am from the old school of not taking the Entertainment business too seriously. Image is king in the biz, the bigger the better. The more attention you get for yourself the more records and tickets you'll sell. It's basic mathematics. Controversy generates revenue. Do I believe that's ultimately Gaga's motivation, no I really don't. As with those that came before her, (Madonna, Cher, Michael Jackson) I feel she believes in herself and the message she's putting across to the masses. I've read countless interviews, watched her on the tube, (Larry King, Oprah, award shows) she's got mad skills and talent. Like her or not, Lady Gaga is here to stay. Will she be around in 20 years? Who knows. I remember a time when Madonna was going to be a 'flash in the pan,' and wouldn't last a year in the music industry. That my friends was over twenty-five years ago and guess what, she's still selling albums and performers sell-out concerts all over the world. Lady Gaga has the potential to become an "Icon," in her own right. No matter the outcome it should be fun to sit back and watch what she's planning for us next. Come on Gaga; show me what you've got.