| S.T.A.G.E. said: Madonna is an all around performer, those are singers. Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are the only ones competing to be the all around artist. You could say Beyonce, but shes less artistic. Madonna was a artist who fought the norm in her day...a rebel if you will for womens sexuality and artist creativity. Id say Janet Jackson gave her the hardest time, but Janet fell out of the race. Madonna will never be surpassed in terms of profit because as I said, as far as record and CD sales are concerned in the 80-90's were amazing. The internet and piracy wasn't as big back then, but I think Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are the only ones going for her crown because not only are they great performers, they are artists. Beyonce does the same thing everytime. |
Actually, during her performances, all Madonna ever does is sing too. Lady Gaga plays the Piano at least.
In terms of artistry, you can't even compare Madonna to Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey is WAY more successful as an artist than Madonna ever was, and ever will be.
Starting with accolades: Madonna has never even been nominated on any award platform as a Producer, or as a songwriter. Mariah Carey on the otherhand is a three time Grammy Nominated Producer, and has 'won' dozens of "Best Songwriter of the Year" awards across various award platforms. Actually, Lady Gaga has one Best Songwriter of the Year Award from BMI, that puts her ahead of Madonna.
In terms of success on the market for their own work, again, many of Madonna's songs are other people's, and even those she does have a writing credit for does not include composition. Mariah Carey on the otherhand wrote all the lyrics and melodies, and composed or co-composed every song she's ever done (with the exception of a few covers she's done including Without You and I want to Know Love Is; which in themselves are more or less re-imaginings of the original songs.). In terms of market success, she is the fifth most successful Music Producer in history, and the only female producer who has distinguished herself with such massive success. As a songwriter/composer, she is the second most successful female; and as a singer/songwriter/composer she is the most successful female artist by far, and also the third most successful overall (male included) coming only behind Paul McCartney and John Lennon. In terms of a singer/songwriter/composer/producer, Mariah Carey is the most successful music artist in history.
Mariah Carey's Melismatic vocal innovations are still largely heard throughout music today (this includes just about the whole pop idol generation, and a large number of other pop singers, including Beyonce Knowles who you mentioned. Although Mariah's ability to add in high level opera style extensions puts her in a whole other category from them.).
Honestly, I just don't see how Madonna compares to Mariah in terms of musical artistry; maybe she is more creative with her make-up, but who gives a crap about that; but that has nothing to do with music; and besides, Lady Gaga is much more creative there than anyone else I have ever seen =P
As far as her being a rebel for women's sexuality. Madonna came in the 80's when that was already well underway with female singers. While it really started quite a bit earlier: in terms of embracement by a musical performer - you just can't brush over the 1970's and Debbie like that =P
Back to Mariah Carey. She was one of the major early 90's anti-poverty voices in music, that also included the likes of Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur. Mariah's music tackles poverty and race issues that she had to personally deal with. When it comes to being real, Mariah's music is about as real as any top pop artist has ever gotten. She came from a family broken by poverty and racial situations; her mother was disowned by her family for falling in love with a black man (whom she married); and Mariah herself grew up in poverty, and sometimes homelessness. These three videos are Mariah speaking from her life experiences:
While Through The Rain a more recent song, and one that doesn't display the same sorts of vocal excellence of the above tracks, I think that the theme of this song is fitting for what I wrote above - and certainly very relevant to her life experiences.
I agree on the piracy issues. I think that album sales for acts like Lady Gaga and such would be much higher if the state of the industry was like it was in the 80's and 90's.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
