You may have noticed that Madonna has been in fine form lately – at least when it comes to acting like an insufferable, disrespectful asshole. The pop singer has somehow shifted from years of creating and releasing genre-bending, though-provoking music that empowered a generation of young girls to searching for the best way to aimlessly push everyone’s buttons. And to what end? What can Madonna possibly have to gain from purposeful nip slips and slapping swastika’s on people’s foreheads? Her recent actions while on tour supporting MDNA have raised questions about whether there’s a difference between being cutting edge and just throwing tantrums just to get attention.
The latest Madonna news involves Lady Gaga, a musician with whom the Queen of Pop clearly takes issue. Madonna told a Brazilian talk show, “I’m a really big fan of [Born This Way]. I’m glad that I helped Gaga write it.” Zing! To be fair, there are a lot of sonic similarities between Gaga’s latest effort and some of Madonna’s formative pop songs. But why does Madonna feel the need to make quips instead of acknowledging the fact that imitation is considered the sincerest form of flattery? We imagine that perhaps Madonna is threatened by this youngest, edgier pop star who apes her blond hair and sexually charged image. Maybe Madonna is feeling old and washed up. Or maybe she’s just inherently a jerk.
But making public jabs at your peers is something best left for politics. Music fans – especially pop music fans – are looking for an escape, an entry point into a short-lived alternate reality. We listen to music because it magnifies our own emotions and experiences, because it’s fun to dance to and because it has the potential to take us somewhere new. The last thing we need – and want – is the musicians we admire to be acting like total dickheads, to us or to each other.
Over the weekend, despite a ban set by local authorities and despite a horrifically tragic mass shooting in Aurora , CO , Madonna pulled out her prop guns onstage in Scotland Colorado Colorado and offering their sympathies to the victims and their families, Madonna is off in Europe acting like her actions are no big deal.
Every day there is another headline, another bout of news regarding Madonna and her latest “shocker” on tour. But we don’t need musicians who think baring their nipple changes anything about the world. We need musicians who push the boundaries of pop culture in new directions, who pursue social and political change through innovative methods (i.e. not swastikas), and, most of all, we need musicians who know when to step back, bow their heads and keep the guns offstage. Say what you will about Lady Gaga, but we’d argue she knows all these things (and is raising money for her own foundation that helps gay, lesbian and transgender youth).
We’d love to see Madonna do or say something positive, especially this week. Just one headline that isn’t about a dick move she pulled onstage would suffice. Otherwise when her next album arrives there will be no fans left to buy it.
LOL....HA!
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- Helen Why is Emily being such an asshole lately? Please don't refer to Madonna taking jabs at her peers when referring to GaGa - GaGa is an insect next to Madonna.2 hours ago
- Jake Pffft. I can understand that Madonna is pissed at a no talent shitscraper like Lady GaGa ripping her off.2 hours ago
- Kevin Wayne Should have pointed out that the song she is referring to actually owes itself to "Respect Yourself" by the Staples Singers. Which Madonna also ripped off. Then... you shouldn't have written about Madonna.3 hours ago
- Selenium She's an attention whore. Always has been. And this article is exactly what she was looking for. Haters gonna hate.4 hours ago
- Gigsmith Floop MADONNA is the queen of the world >>>she has changed the music industry in the 80 zzz>>>she dared of doing stuff no one has ever dared of doing >>>she risked her image for that by expressing what she feels sincerely plus her experince in music reflected her real life experience in her childhood>>>>i dont think lady gaga is doing that .....she is just a clown on broadway........MADONNA HAS THE RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS>>>>>this article is a buying article .... this doesnt mean that the weight of madonna is risked by gaga parade.....not in million years!!!!7 hours ago
- Steven there's always gonna be guns somewhere in the world. life goes on, and so does the sad reality of the real situation. people can't expect to snap there fingers, and instantly everybody on the planet is respectful, and gun free.7 hours ago
- Miss Madonna is Madonna. She been pissing people off for as long as I can remember. Class of '867 hours ago
- Marcy Diamond wow emily. i couldn't even believe myspace even let you publish something that had ASSHOLE written in the article, it's amazing. Kids read this stuff. Kinda amazing that you couldn't use your writing skills to make your point in another way. I have to be honest, it just made you look jaded and jealous. If it were written from an informative standpoint then the reader would have gathered that on their own.7 hours ago
- Cara sosa good job! well said...39 minutes ago
- Mistress Sol Imitation Not Plagurizing and then hidding it. That's stealing dip sh*t. Your a d*mb *ss.8 hours ago
Its laughable the world expected Madonna to drop an entire section of her show then do what? Redo 20 mins in a day whislt she is on tour? Why doesn't the USA have a sit down and long long think about the insanity of their so called gun laws where a nutcase can buy aton of weapons and bullets over the net, then go on a rampage, then somehow mention and blame Madonna for not bowing to public pressure, when has she ever? She was not the one killing with guns, its a stage act, with props, and no bullets, just a bit of relationshiop anger, you need to grow up, but then again the mere mention of her name has probably got you your internet hits so well done you. Now all you need is a world tour grossing 500 million or so, then see if retirement soon features in your thoughts. Peace and respect if you knew what qualities they were.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to send a huge thanks to the writer of this article. Being born in 1980 I can state from first hand knowledge the view of the world and music industry as a fan of both Madonna and Lady Gaga. And although I have the utmost respect for both of them, I have to say I honestly feel let down by Madonna and quite frankly am not even surprised.
ReplyDeleteIf fans of Madonna were honest about her life, they would come to realize that most of her career and success was based on revenge. Somehow proving to those who tried to disable her passions were going to pay for their mistakes and seemingly still are. Being a gay man, I may have felt overjoyed for Madonna's leadership throughout the 80's and 90's, but it did feel like I was more her follower than an equal. Someone she was using to gain exposure and fame rather than someone she actually gave two sh*ts about.
Gaga may not be original, but if anyone again is honest with themselves than neither was Madonna. So why everyone thinks the same rules do not apply are beyond me. However, at the end of the day at least Gaga makes me feel like she actually cares even if it's all an act. Its almost as if when Gaga does something controversial she lets you know that she's doing it for that purpose whereas Madonna just does it because she thinks she is the Queen of pop and therefore doesn't need to have a reason. Guess what, respect is not something permanent, you have to water that garden every day and care for the seeds you sow.
So, in summation I ask that these hardcore Madonna fans take a step back and ask yourselves the following: would you allow your mother or father beat the crap out of you in their 70's just because they earned your respect when they were 40? Is there some kind of clause in life and respect for others where once you maintain a respect for individuals for a specific period of time then you no longer have to maintain that same level? Personally, I am not a victim of Madonna but rather a captive of Gaga. If Madonna wants my respect she has to earn it like she has done so at times in the past. My attention is just as important as anyone else, so if you want to you need to earn it. Every last second.
Madonna, grow up.
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Gabriel Haze
If GaGa breaks all her records and achievements, the two can have their names in the same sentence.
ReplyDeleteStupid people are letting the world down, not Madonna!
ReplyDeleteMadonna seriously needs to get a life I can't believe she sank so low to pick on a 23-27 year old who is doing extremely well for herself I mean what does Madonna even stand for anymore? I can just feel the woman hate coming out of her.
ReplyDeleteShe is so full of herself she probably thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world I think not she is what us millennials call a internet troll because she likes to push buttons nothing more.
She is nothing but a fat slag I am so glad I am no longer a fan of hers proud to jump ship!!
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ReplyDeleteI got fed up of my father checking her out and I guess lots of wives probably feel the same way too she just doesn't care who she shits on to get what she wants. Madonna by the way no-one is scared of you and you are not the most beautiful woman in the world you're a little midget with a napolean complex who really needs to piss off now.
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