We cannot doubt that mainstream music is a part of art, even if it is associated more with pop culture. This post may seem like a “fish out of water” amongst the works of art posted on this blog, but we cannot deny that it fills one or more of the qualities of art defined here.
It’s quite the feat that Nicki Minaj is currently mentioned in the New York Times, with her first album debuting more than a month away. Her fame and popularity has been exponentially rising, that many compare her to the likes of Lady Gaga, wigs and all.
Last month, Kanye West released a new single, “Monster,” from his upcoming comeback album that features Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj. The latter has received much acclaim for her verse, which is provided in the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGR1CIC1fS0&feature=related
I can’t decide on whether or not I enjoy her music, or not. I admire her unconventional approach, but I question its tastefulness. However, you cannot deny that her singles are catchy. My conflict can be best seen in “Your Love.” I am addicted to its melody (some of it sampled from Annie Lennox’s ‘No More “I Love You’s”‘), but there are incorrect cultural references! She mentions about being a geisha, which is derived from Japan, but she fuses Japanese, Chinese, and Thai elements in this video.
Nicki’s album, Pink Friday, will be released on November 28, and it’s safe to say that her theatrics will be cemented for the long run.
I think the most interesting part about pop music is its derivatives, such as the Asian cultures you’ve mentioned in Minaj’s “Your Love”. I personally do not think that this song is a great work of art, but I do appreciate that pop music and culture is often more complex than we initially perceive and for which we give it credit.
I much prefer the pop strains of “Your Love” to relentless aggression of Monster, but then the aggression of Monster is appropriate to the subject. I’m not an expert, but I find Lady Gaga to be a more entertaining, surprising and interesting artist.
Being a fan of the rap and hip-hop genres of music, I’m familiar with Nicki Minaj’s work. While there have been many female artist’s in the past who have tried their hand at rapping, Minaj’s style and approach seem to be unique. I definitely hold her in higher esteem than I do Lil’ Kim or Lil Mama, but I think she still has a ways to go before being put in the same class as Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, and MC Lyte.
And despite the time stamp, I really did post this BEFORE hearing the news that Lady Gaga won 8 awards at the Video Music Awards last night for “Bad Romance.” She is an impressive combination of catchy pop, edgy style, outstanding production and seemingly endless invention. Cher is so quaint.
Lady Gaga is revolutionary in popular music, but does all of the credit go to her? Here is an interesting article that accuses Lady Gaga for plagiarism.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1313107/Lady-Contrick-To-fans-Lady-Gaga-cutting-edge-style-icon-But-really-just-shameless-plagiarist.html