Posted September 28, 20222 yr Earlier this year, Grace Gaustad celebrated Gaga's impact for Clash: It was an early evening in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. My dad had just picked me up from a friend’s house and we were listening to the radio in the car while driving home. All of a sudden, the most intriguing synth melody I had ever heard, accompanied by a chant ‘ma ma ma ma’ caught my attention like nothing ever before. I immediately asked my dad to turn up the radio as loud as it could go, and it was in that three minutes and 57 seconds that I fell in love with pop music through a song called ‘Poker Face.’ As soon as I got back home, I raced to my mom’s computer and went to YouTube. I was desperate to know what magical creature could have written a song that made me feel alive in a way I had never felt before. I’ll never forget the moment I saw a miraculous being arise from the pool dressed in leather and sequins, accompanied by two gigantic great Danes. She was majestic and her name was Lady Gaga. Fast forward a few years and I had studied every song and music video Gaga had released. I performed the ‘Bad Romance’ choreography in my bedroom daily. I had memorised every song word for word, and I must have watched the HBO ‘Monster Ball’ special 500 times to the point of memorising her entire set list and all of the dance moves in between. It goes without saying that between the years of 2008-2013, Gaga changed pop culture forever. She redefined artistry and secured her place among the greatest artists of all time. Gaga became the ultimate icon and role model to so many people, including me. She gave me a place to feel safe as a child who never felt like they belonged anywhere. She welcomed all of the misfit toys into her world as ‘little monsters’ and that was one of the first places I ever felt at home aside from my own music. Grace isn't the only one. Wikipedia lists Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Nick Jonas, Sam Smith, Noah Cyrus, Katherine Langford, MGMT, Allie X, Greyson Chance, Cardi B, Rina Sawayama, Blackpink, Madison Beer, Ren, Slayyyter, Bebe Rexha, Bree Runway, Celeste, Kim Petras, Jojo Siwa, Pabllo Vittar, Ava Max, Doja Cat, Chaeyoung of Twice, Kanye West, Rachel Zegler and SZA as artists and celebrities who have publicly said Gaga has had impact on them. But what is the BIGGEST impact Lady Gaga has had to the world? Does it go beyond pop culture and music? Has her promising movie career helped her to build her legacy? Let's discuss!
September 28, 20222 yr Author I think her impact has built on the songwriting - there has been "a Gaga formula" since her breakthrough and she still has very unique style when it comes to pop music. But the larger impact goes beyond pop music. She is one of those rare household names that have become familiar to people through different ventures - from pop to jazz, from movies to fashion. The biggest impact is that everyone can point out a Gaga outcome they love (or at least appreciate).
September 30, 20222 yr Fashion will certainly always be up there (the meat dress in particular?) but I'd say for many people personally it will be the philanthropy and support for the LGBTQ+ community! I know for me that is the biggest impact as I am only who I am today because of her and she helped me throughout my life whenever I needed it. She did this for a generation of confused teenagers for sure.
September 30, 20222 yr Author LGBTQ+ support definitely - she has been supporting us since day 1, and given several well-thought speeches and released one of the biggest LGBTQ+ anthems of all time.
September 30, 20222 yr yes her LGBT work will be noted within the community for sure. unlike other popstars who used it to amplify their presence... it felt more natural with Gaga. That sexist interview she did when she started out and she made her love for the community aware. I think musically she should get some credit as 2008 saw the shift return to dance-pop music thanks to her though sadly her musical contribution since (except Shallow) will be mianly forgotten i expect.
October 1, 20222 yr Agree with the first paragraph and that the 2008s shift owes a lot to her debut era. I think since then, songs like Bad Romance, Telephone, Born This Way, The Edge of Glory, Shallow and perhaps even Rain On Me will remain in the public consciousness? Hopefully many more to come in the future too!
