HELLO~
So in purely hypothetical terms, which of the current crop of female stars could in 30 years still be doing their thing and rival Madonna's illustrious impact on pop music? Who could muster up enough sales to rival Madonna as the biggest female star around? I have purposely decided to omit the likes of Kylie and Janet and Britney and Cher and Celine and Mariah, because they're already UP THERE and have proved that they can last in the game for decades.
So out of the list above (and probably many others that I have forgot) which do you think stands the best chance? And which will flop into oblivion in the next year or two? ;o Comment, vote, discuss, debate and PLAY NICE.
If your answer is *none of the above* just commit to who you think will come closest
None of them WILL have as huge an impact as Madonna but the following would come closest I think:
Beyoncé - if she continues being innovative with her album release strategies, she'll be up there no doubt
Adele - obviously the biggest star on the planet at the current moment
Taylor Swift - five albums in and it feels like she's just getting started, she seems able to change up her sound when necessary yet still keep it firmly "Taylor" which is a key skill.
I think Adele would be the most likely candidate out of these options. Already such a huge star. Beyoncé as well maybe.
First of all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON4sOlxvtbU
Now that's out the way, let me think. Beyonce is definitely standing out for me from that list. I feel like she's already established/ing that level of respect by the music industry: like Madonna, it seems every female artist is inspired by her, whether that be her music or her attitude, and I think, even if the public status faded, that respect by other musicians will be evergreen. She also seems to have reached the Erotica stage of her career, if you will: Beyonce and Lemonade are two albums that are less focused on making pop bangers and aiming for commercial success, but are all about making an album with statement and visual and concept which in turn earns more critical praise and established one as an artist opposed to just another pop star. I think Beyonce definitely has the ability to remain on top of her game 10 years down the line and I reckon her previous two albums will be thought of just as, maybe even more than, they are now.
Rihanna too seems to have pushed the boundary a little of the conventions of a pop album release and I think Anti will still be looked back upon as one of her best albums even if it didn't quite set the charts alight as anticipated. It may seem she's losing her pace but I can't imagine many other artists managing to get a hit with a song like 'Work' - to me, that proves she still has the knack of making a hit no matter what it is (and that's not me saying it's a bad song or not, I'm saying it initially sounded like something that wouldn't be a hit with its almost "anti-hook").
Lady Gaga is at a make or break point right now I think. LG5 needs to be spectacular otherwise I feel this could be it for her (and I say that as a fan). Adele has that crossover appeal for all ages and she just has the "it" factor that makes me think she could do a Kate Bush and hide away from the limelight for years and still be a success upon returning. P!nk has had one of the most consistent careers and I think she'll be able to continue that, either despite or because of she's considered an underdog. Sia, it's hard to tell, I think she'll always have success as a song-writer but I'm not sure how long she'll be the "it" girl. I think she'll always make fantastic music though and receive critical success; maybe she'll be a bit of a Bjork for comparison.
I really don't think Adele will ever be as impactful, she does nothing new or "out there" the way Madonna has. She sings dull ballads and hasn't changed her sound in any big way.
Realistically, Beyonce and maybe P!nk. They both has managed to change their styles while not alienating any fans (like Taylor) and they have yet to have major flops.
While I don't think any will ever match up, the closest that might get there in sales terms is probably Adele but in terms of legacy and impact, i'd say Beyoncé. Liam has explained it quite well, but I also agree that she has a lot more life left in her. Adele could continue to amass mammoth sales for the rest of time but I feel she will decide to give it all up eventually and probably only have ~5 albums under her belt compared to Madonna's in double figures.
I would love Lady Gaga too and I think she *could* if she really brings a few killer eras out. All artists are doomed to flop at some point (Madonna has had a few) but it's about having consistency so here's hoping she's back on form soon~
Like Joseph I'd say Taylor Swift, Adele or Beyoncé. I agree with Joseph that it feels like Taylor is just getting started (as much as I want her to disappear) and Beyoncé just has superstar quality with her looks, voice and 2 latest critically acclaimed albums. Just when I started to think she was losing it ('4' was not the biggest success and it could've been downhill from there) she turned things around. Adele speaks for itself, really. But I hope she will retire in a few years
And I love Rihanna, but I think she will ultimately be remembered as a big singles artist. I hope she has plenty of smashes and big singles left in her, but she doesn't really seem to care about the big hits for the moment.
A little point of critique as I don't think Britney is quite up there with the artists you mentioned. Yes she was huge at the time but her star has definitely faded and she feels very ''of her time'' and didn't last all that long. But maybe I feel this way because in The Netherlands her last top 10 hit was 'Do Something' (not counting the abysmal S&S).
Definitely Beyoncé and Rihanna will be remembered as huge pop icons for years to come.
I agree about Rihanna being a singles artist. She's still be remembered fondly but I don't think she's as ground-breaking or has much "impact" as the others. Not to discredit her, she's a phenomenal success but yeah not sure she's quite "musical landscape altering" popstar like some of the others. Although I don't know who else to compare her to from the 80s/90s. Were there any big singles artists from those decades? Taylor is another that we'll have to wait and see. She is very polarising so she could easily have a big backlash at some point in the future
I voted Other for Carly Rae Jepsen
Beyonce or Adele.
She was rubbish at the awards show !
She looked amazing but her dancing and miming was embarrassing , and I am a fan !
OK NEW POST JUST TO ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION.
Gaga.
Rihanna is huge and has an amazing discography, and if this were only based on sales, she would definitely win. She's also way more iconic than Beyoncé, IMO. Beyonce's biggest downfall is her lack of mystery and personality. Yeah, her music is successful, but, I'd only consider "Dangerously In Love", "Irreplaceable", "Single Ladies" and "Drunk In Love" (and that's pushing it, TBH) as iconic. And she's a PHENOMENAL performer, but, I can't name a single performance the general public even remembers or discusses, besides her super bowl performances. Beyonce' is all business and that's fine, but, there is no personal connection. Don't get me wrong the bitch is massive and well received... Madonna, Cher, Mariah, Britney, etc, are all known for their specific personalities and that's why they will always be remembered. Back to Rihanna, I would pick her as my second choice.
Adele, see Beyoncé. Except Adele does have much more of a personality. She's iconic, but, not even in the same realm as Madonna, IMO.
Katy Perry has some bops, but, I just find her extremely fake. And no I'm not on Taylor's side. But, she seems liked by many and loved by few. If radio stopped supporting her would she still be able to sell a platinum album? No.
I chose Gaga because with 4 album releases (I'm not including the jazz albums, no thanks) she has strongly paved out who she is as an artist. She's got her completely own style, which she manages to constantly change, but, it somehow meshes so well together. Just Dance, Poker Face, Paparazzi, Bad Romance, Telephone, Born This Way, Edge of Glory, VENUS, all iconic. She appeals to multiple genres and ages, which even Madonna couldn't say in the beginning of her career (probably not until 'Ray of Light', TBH.) She rivaled Madonna going into her third album, and that's saying something... because if you catch Madonna's attention it probably means people are calling you the "new Madonna". Gaga is the first since Britney to gather such a strong and loyal fanbase. And don't even get me started on AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Slay bitch.
But, in case TL:DR: Sales and a following from the general public (who will eat anything if you leave it on the table long enough) are not directly correlated to being iconic. It's the X Factor on and off stage and it can't be taught.
Who voted Ellie Goulding?
I read "Pink" as "Pixie" as in, 7 of you know who.
BUT, let's just say I was mortified to even see her on the list without a ":,)", much less, an actual vote. Also lol at iggy being listed.
:,)
You fascinate me, Cremey. :')
It all makes sense! I'm glad you have come to appreciate the Billboard megamix performance! When I first watched it I actually sobbed, only because she has talked about how she never wanted to do an award show performance after being ashamed of what happened at the VMA's in 2007. She even said to a paparazzi after her VMA performance, "I'll never be as good as they want me to be". That, along with her mental break at the time, left me wondering what I could do to help. I helped organize a picture album for her. It was just a 250 page book we sent her with pictures of us loving her music or posing with her album. I have a signed copy of 'Blackout' for it, along with a short personal note that read, "Thanks for always caring about me. - Britney". That meant the world to me, it showed my love for her affected her life, and that makes me happier than anything.
And on the note of Gaga, I think she is very aware of what's hanging in the balance. It's the obvious reason for their being such a gap in actual GAGA music. But, with saying that, I truly feel like she could release 10 flops in a row, but, like Madonna and Britney, as soon as she made a decent album her fanbase would support it tremendously. And the general public would fall in line.
I mean besides Rihanna and Beyonce, no one on that list is even comparable. We can all call bey or Rih iconic, but none of them have even come close to the impact Gaga has made with her first album and it's re release.
I think there are three main tiers of female pop singers here: The Temporary Queens, The Basic Semi-Iconic Queens and Lastly the Legends.
Firstly we have the Temporary Queens: Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding & Iggy Azalea. As talented as these women are and as many of a catchy tune they've given the world, I do not think - they're capable of ever being as culturally important as Madonna. I just don't see it. They've all had their fair share of hit songs (Fancy, Good For You, Anything Could Happen, Break Free e.t.c) but whether these songs will amount to be anything more than generic chart fodder in 5 years time? 10 years time? ...is another story but personally I do not see it and just feel there's not enough star power there for them to be at that level. They're inoffensive and their music is catchy enough to set the charts and radio alight right now but I can't exactly them see any of these women being major names of pop or even replicating Britney's level of fame/success, nevermind Madonna's. Not to say their contribute to Pop music hasn't been respected or welcomed, just I don't seem that at the same level of professionalism and longevity.
Then there's the Basic Semi-Iconic Queens: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj. I do love Minaj, Spears, Swift and Rihanna and as much as they excel in their own fields. They never take it to the next level it seems well for me at least personally. They've all provided some amazing moments in popular music over the past decade but I always feel like there is just something missing??
Taylor to me is the most talented of this tier however she's also the most problematic what with her white-girl feminism, it's as if she's been moulded by record executives to shift a load of albums and well it's worked, but that's not what I establish as the next Madonna. She's had her golden moments: Mine, Red, Bad Blood and Wildest Dreams amongst others. Still, it feels she has this entitlement to the crown, when actually she doesn't. Even with her monthly mix up of men, I still leave myself wanting more with Taylor. Only Time will tell but I think the only way she'll excel further is if she hybridizes her earlier country work with her more recent pop music and manages to crossover country into the mainstream music markets, rather than remaining to the generic pop girl mould she's accustomed herself to.
Rihanna. There's no denying that along with Pink and Britney she has one of the most consistent females in pop since her debut. But with Rihanna, it doesn't always feel authentic. Rated R is the only album she's released which I feel has solidified her as a creditable artist. Anti and Unapologetic are probably her 2nd and 3rd best albums but they do leave something to be desired. I think Rihanna is great when it comes to nabbing Billboard hits and Vevo views but I want something more and eleven years later and I still really haven't witnessed that. Although I can't imagine the pop landscape without her and for that I'm grateful, it seems her music is not tangiable like her contemporaries Beyoncé & Gaga, but often lacklustre. Saying that, you can't ignore her tsunami of hits: Umbrella, Rude Boy, Russian Roulette, Te Amo, Only Girl, S&M, We Found Love, Diamonds, Stay and Work are all prime examples this woman is more than capable of churning out hit after hit.
Then we have Katy Perry, who I adored with her back to back tracks I Kissed a Girl and Hot n Gold when she first came out, they were genius pop tracks back in the day but then I feel that the second she smelt success, she became a sell out. I don't relate to this candy-land perfect princess image she has created, especially as a 30 year old woman. Much like Taylor, it often feels contrived and put on. It's very Disney and that might have been interesting ten years before, but I think by 2016 - our pop stars should be politically, socially and culturally intriguing and complex. She is very one dimensional to me and has provided the epitome of dire tracks to the world of pop: California Gurls, Part of Me, Roar. I think Katy will always be a household name, but as big as Madonna? No way.
Nicki Minaj, being a rap artist primarily, Minaj was never going to be the next Madonna. When people think of Madonna of the quintessential popstar - they don't think of a rapper sadly. But I do think Minaj has the capacity to be the biggest female rap artist of all time and instead of being the next Eve or Missy Elliot or Lil Kim, she's Nicki Minaj and she's certainly raised the bar for what not just female rap, but rap in general can be. A fantastic artist but I do feel her latest release shows how she's ran out of new ideas. None the less I'm sure her future releases will maintain the level of quality her beginning albums had and I hope she returns with vengeance.
And lastly but certainly not least we have Britney, who remarkably has come a long way in her live performances especially when you compare her Billboard performance to that dreadful 2007 Gimme More performance *flashbacks and shudders* and I do think Vegas has helped her improve majorly. But I would be lying if I said she was the next Queen of Pop. To me, the commitment just isn't there and that's understandable - she has a family, a life of her own, a perfume range, Vegas residency e.t.c but I want my popstars to be committed and I think she just drops an album when she thinks she's got a collection of around ten-twelve tracks which she can clump together and just release an album. It seems she's never truly invested in her music and it's just vocals to a well-produced track. Saying that - Toxic, Everytime, Gimme More, Piece of Me and If You Seek Amy are all pop perfection.
Then We Have the Legends: Sia, Pink, Adele, Beyoncé, Gaga. Each with extradionary discographies that last the test of time and are all complete legends in their own individual right.
I've never been the biggest Sia fan but since 'Chandelier' exploded, I became an avid fan and even trailed through her earlier work which isn't too shabby, especially We Are Born. For me there is no doubt in my mind that she is up there with Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch, Nina Simone and Lana Del Rey when it comes to distinctive vocals. She always keeps it refreshing, she always keeps it real and I just love that. I always applaud someone who can transform stark darkness into profound masterpieces and that's exactly what she has done. With various mental health problems and a history with addiction, Sia is the artist who I dream of - making something beautiful out of what sounds like a tragic and heart-breaking life. She's a survivor. Engaging. Captivating. The issue is whether she can scale the heights of Madonna which I feel is unlikely in all fairness, but she is one of my favourite voices and still think she has a lot more to offer the world.
Pink to me is the original longevity queen, from You Make Me Sick to God is a DJ to Blow Me, she always has a song under belt and I'm always happy to hear it. I'm Not Dead and M!ssundaztood are both great albums and contain my favourite work from her but her personality never seems to match her music and shine through. To me she often comes across quite angry (which there is nothing wrong with) but she never seems to be enjoying herself. I just think Pink bears more of a Cher stature than a Madonna. She's not there to shock, she's there to entertain and give the public thought-provoking and high quality music, which she does successfully.
As for Adele. Her voice is incredible but to me Madonna is more than a singer (although she's not exactly the best one at that), she's an entertainer, a provocateur. Madonna is about using pop music to express larger conversations politically, sexually, culturally and on other alternative levels which most pop females would be demonised for. I feel Adele is too inoffensive, too normal and too sweet and this is the woman who swore at the Brits. She's had some classics already: Someone Like You, Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Skyfall and Hello are her most iconic it seems but I feel Adele focuses too heavily on the vocals and that's fine. Rightfully so, if I had those pipes I would too but it can often come across very one dimensional and that there's nothing more really there more than super-talented vocals which can be annoying. I'm not expecting her to break into the splits and give birth on stage, but it's often very samey samey with Adele and so therefore I think Adele is in a similar lane to Mariah and Celine, not Madonna.
This is where the main argument lies. The next Madonna? Beyoncé or Lady Gaga? It would be foolish to dispute that either is not worthy of passing on the baton, both providing the most iconic, atmospheric and revolutionary moments of recent pop culture in the 21st century, but I do agree they work on slightly different levels which often parallel one another.
Beyoncé to me started as the star from Destiny's Child with a few cute hits, it wasn't until I Am...Sasha Fierce where I really took notice. Her hair towering thick with hairspray and heels even higher, her single ladies visual and video was and still is ICONIC and that's when I truly thought "mutha has arrived" *insert Vivacious gif*. A string of hits including Sweet Dreams, Broken-Hearted Girl and Radio followed, cementing me as a half-hearted fan. This was taken further with the release 4. Although normally overlooked, I do think it's her second strongest album. Jammed with not only bops, but slight experimentation - it's clear to see she's eager to break away from the regular pop mould Rihanna, Katy & Swift have became known for and create something timeless. This was elevated a level further with the 2013 release of her self-titled EP which has changed the way music is released and the 'surprise Beyoncé release' has become a trend of it's own now. However it wasn't until this year until my full stan card become fulfilled, what with the release of Formation in correlation to Black Lives Matter as a major political statement. That could of backlashed terribly, but it was so empowering and infectious. I loved it. Followed by the release of her best album yet, Lemonade - I saw this woman's full potential, with the album showcasing she's not just a pretty pop singer and dancer I mistaked her for in the early days but a real musician, director, activist, voice and legend and I'm grateful for her contribution to the world of music.
However this argument cannot conclude without Gaga. Of course, Gaga has taken inspiration from Madonna (that's disputable and she even states that on the Fame's credit's)- with tracks like Ray of Light, Frozen, American Life, Hung Up and Like a Prayer, why wouldn't you? But I do think it's detrimental to allude Gaga is nothing more than Madonna 2.0 because she's not, she's much more. To me Gaga is a hybrid of not just Madonna but all of her icons. She's Madonna, Bowie, Prince, ABBA, Springsteen, Houston and Jackson all collected into one and the result is Lady Gaga. Beyoncé and Britney have been with us since the late 90's yet we still place Gaga amongst them? isn't that proof that within the 8 years, since she's catapulted onto the pop scene she's changed the game. Jumping into the world with juggernaut hits like Just Dance, Poker Face and Bad Romance - she became (as the paparazzi video puts it: the new IT girl) and to say the musical landscape didn't change because of Gaga is a joke. She along with the Black Eyed Peas & Guetta, made dance music break through in the Northern American market, they made it accessible and cool. An onslaught of hits including the timeless tracks Telephone, Alejandro, Born This Way (which was the 1000th Billboard no.1 and was the first song to include the word 'trans' and for it to be played on national radio), The Edge of Glory, Applause and Do What You Want - 5 albums later, yes I'm including TFM & C2C and she's on the verge on creating another tidal wave the other pop girls could only dream of creating.
What makes Gaga all the more creditable to me is the fact she is a classically trained in vocals and piano, can play the guitar, keyboard and synth and therefore is what you'd consider a 'real musician' as well as being a fully-fledged pop star who can own a stage at the command of one note. She can pour fake blood or sit behind a piano singing about rape and can still evoke equally emotional reactions, which I feel Madonna often struggles with. I can understand the confusion that Gaga is all smoke and mirrors, but her performances are out of this world. Additionally her advocacy for Mental Health in young people, raising awareness for rape and sexual assault and also most importantly supporting the LGBTQ+ community makes her all the more special. As a bisexual woman, she has made it to the top and showed me that whatever social characteristics appy to me, I can still succeed and I am grateful for that. She's fearless, talented and a sweetheart even despite the metaphoric fame and success she's achieved. Who else can turn up to award shows in an egg? in a meat dress? can be thrown up on whilst performing? can swallow rosary beads? can wear dildo heels? can release a jazz album with Tony Bennett and it still go no.1 in America and sell over a million copies WW? Only Gaga. People hold Gaga to such a high pedestal because they know she's the best and so when she doesn't deliver anything short of perfection, everybody is up in arms.
In conclusion, I think Gaga and Beyoncé are the closest contenders for being the next Madonna but personally feel Gaga doesn't need to be the next Madonna, Madonna to me is a popstar. Gaga is a rockstar - "a true muso" whereas Beyoncé falls into the entertainment category more so and therefore feel she will be the next Madonna.
Omg at that essay & categories Mackenzie !!!
Iggy's next album to be titled 'The Temporary Queen' please.
Lulz. Not even from a stans view, but, Britney is not in the same category as Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, etc. Her and Rihanna are both above that league, IMO.
And Sia before them? Lol, disagreed. She's talented AF, but, her impact is not near as huge, or half the time, even identifiable to the casual listener. 'Chandelier' is her only huge hit here, along with her collabs, 'Wild One' and 'Titanium'. But, I am not questioning her relevance to the industry, I just don't see her as a figurehead of pop music.
Beyonce, Adele and Rihanna seem to be the front runners here. I guess we shall see how each does in the next decade(s) it's quite exciting ~
Sounds about right to me! Gaga too if she smashes with this next era.
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