Arguably, today’s Madonna is ... Madonna!!! Any pop fanatic knows that as long as she lives she’ll be back and forth between the studio and the stage. This being said, many have already named her successor to be none other than current pop sensation Lady Gaga.
The divas show off their unusual styles.Critics and fans alike have drawn the comparison, with Kanye West recently joining the bandwagon, saying: “I look at our current superstars like legends in the making … Like Justin is the new Mike, Beyoncé’s the new Tina Turner, [Lady] Gaga’s Madonna ...these are the champions and should be documented as such.” (1)
This flattering and fairly monumental comparison might seem premature; Lady Gaga only has one album under her belt and has been on the charts for little more than a year. However, they aren’t entirely unfounded. After all the two performers are highly expressive figures, both giving candid interviews and promoting sexual liberation. Both also seem to have an affinity for spectacular stage production and above all else elaborate and revealing outfits. With her Erotica period (1992 - 1993), Madonna pioneered the unusual and hyper-sexualized stage costumes that Gaga now sports (often as every-day wear). Perhaps not coincidental to all of these similarities, both pop artists have amassed huge gay followings.
This flattering and fairly monumental comparison might seem premature; Lady Gaga only has one album under her belt and has been on the charts for little more than a year. However, they aren’t entirely unfounded. After all the two performers are highly expressive figures, both giving candid interviews and promoting sexual liberation. Both also seem to have an affinity for spectacular stage production and above all else elaborate and revealing outfits. With her Erotica period (1992 - 1993), Madonna pioneered the unusual and hyper-sexualized stage costumes that Gaga now sports (often as every-day wear). Perhaps not coincidental to all of these similarities, both pop artists have amassed huge gay followings.
Lady Gaga - the new Madonna?Lady Gaga and the First Lady of nineties pop also share a genuine commitment to longetivity. Gaga has said that Madonna and fellow popette Cyndi Lauper are an inspiration as long-standing pop survivors. "It's an aspiration of mine," Gaga says of their decades-long careers. "Whether anybody still buys my records only the future will tell, but I will still be making music." Commenting more directly on the assertion that she is the “new Madonna”, Gaga says: "We're both Italian-American women, we both started out in the New York underground scene - and we both became famous when we dyed our hair blonde,” she continues: “I think what Madonna and I share is that we are both fearless... We both have a lot of nerve." (2)
This “nerve” is the only downside they share. Regarded as an expert in “pushing buttons”, many of Madonna’s stunts I’ve interpreted as obvious bids to be provocative and garner attention. Gaga has already started treading down this road, her teacup anyone?? I find nothing more off-putting than when a pop star becomes too calculated, too thought out and overall tries too hard. With this kind of premeditation they inevitably become inauthentic, pretentious and more like performing ‘characters’ than real artists. This minor problem of authenticity aside, Lady Gaga does seem a promising artist with much of Madonna’s flair and showmanship.
“I want to be the person who changes what pop music means for my generation, because somebody shot it in the face,” Lady Gaga says. “I don’t know who, but I want to bring it back.” (3)
If the buzz is right, she will do for the now what Madonna did for the nineties.
This “nerve” is the only downside they share. Regarded as an expert in “pushing buttons”, many of Madonna’s stunts I’ve interpreted as obvious bids to be provocative and garner attention. Gaga has already started treading down this road, her teacup anyone?? I find nothing more off-putting than when a pop star becomes too calculated, too thought out and overall tries too hard. With this kind of premeditation they inevitably become inauthentic, pretentious and more like performing ‘characters’ than real artists. This minor problem of authenticity aside, Lady Gaga does seem a promising artist with much of Madonna’s flair and showmanship.
“I want to be the person who changes what pop music means for my generation, because somebody shot it in the face,” Lady Gaga says. “I don’t know who, but I want to bring it back.” (3)
If the buzz is right, she will do for the now what Madonna did for the nineties.
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