Last weekend, Fuse entertainment aired an eight-hour special on the artist of the century: Lady Gaga. The special featured all seven of her official music videos along with a nearly two-hour, completely uncensored interview with Fuse’s Touré which covered everything from her sexuality to her creative process and her obsession with monsters and death. Needless to say, the special certainly captivated my interest and gave me a newfound respect for the raw talent that is Lady Gaga.
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, the twenty-three year old grew up feeling like a misfit and searched for people who truly understood what she was all about. When asked about her childhood and how she found her way Gaga states, “I found a whole new group of friends that I could wave my freak flag with.” She credits her childhood trials and tribulations for her ability to appeal to thousands of fans – or as she likes to call them “little monsters” – and is beyond thankful for the support she has been granted from friends, family, and her eclectic fan base.
On her relationship with her Dad, whom the emotion-packed ballad “Speechless” was written for in order to convince him to have life-changing surgery, Gaga simply says, “He sees the humor and the art in what I’m doing. He gets what I’m saying”. This is a refreshing bit of news for many, as Gaga’s bizarre wardrobe choices, lyrics, and performances often leave audiences dumbfounded.
Lady Gaga attributes her immense success to the influences of artists like Michael Jackson, Grace Jones, and Andy Warhol as she recounts the sadness she felt over Michael Jackson’s death and her favorite quote/mantra from Warhol: “Artists make things that people don’t need.” When asked about her creative process Gaga reflects, “I like to roll around and wrestle with my music. For me, creativity is religious.” Any fan, or nemesis, of Lady Gaga can certainly see where her raw approach to music and artistry comes from, as each and every song, performance, and video represents an eccentricity uncommon in today’s music world and labels her a revolutionary artist.
When asked why she wants to be famous Gaga keeps it brief: “I know that my destiny is to be a storyteller in the world.” She later explains that her newest CD, The Fame Monster, which has sold over 50 million copies, is really about the monsters she has faced throughout her journey to fame, as each song represents a new one – from sex to truth to alcohol. Her songs have raw lyrics and urge listeners to be vulnerable and completely expose themselves to the world just as she has.
“I want your psycho, I want all of you,” she explains when asked what message her hit “Bad Romance” is meant to relay to listeners. The infamous Monster Ball, which has been touring for the past year and is set to hit Los Angeles once more in August, proves Gaga is a true artist that has changed the way music and art are viewed, as her every move challenges the norm. A perfect example: when asked to describe the concert, she concludes, “It’s a post-apocalyptic house party.”
When asked about where her music is headed and when her newest album will be released, Gaga said that while her album is finished, she doesn’t feel that listeners are ready for it yet. “I think I’m gonna get the album title tattooed on me and put out the photo,” she explains. She plans to release the highly anticipated title of her third album on New Years’ Eve. However, in regards to what direction her newest album will head in she warns everyone, “The message of the new music is now more bitter than it was before.” Nonetheless, people all over the world are just waiting to see what the avant-garde phenomenon is going to come up with next. Where does she see herself in ten years? Gaga declares, ““Right here with you talking about another record.”
Lady Gaga’s true philosophy and potential is reflected in one of her final statements from the evening and, in my opinion, the words speak for themselves: “I’m not a song, I’m not a moment. I’m an artist.” While the reign of Lady Gaga is just beginning and full of uncharted possibility, one thing is certain: she has captured the hearts of thousands of “Little Monsters” around the world. Lady Gaga’s infamous “Monster Ball” will stop at Los Angeles’ Staples Center August 11th and 12th.
Tags: artist spotlight, Lady Gaga
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