The Oxford English dictionary defines a diva as "a distinguished female singer" (Oxford University Press, 2014). Both Maria Callas and Madonna fit this definition, despite doubts in their singing ability. They share a dramatic presence, both on and off stage, which distinguishes them from others.
Madonna and Maria Callas are both singers whose personality and presence are often given more weight than the strength of their technical performance. Madonna's vocal ability, Jones tells us, was largely considered "the weakest aspect of her performance" (Jones, 2008 p.165). This is evident throughout Material Girl (The Diva, 2008, track 1), where the singing quality is weak, and shows little of the vocal agility one might expect from an operatic diva. Madonna's voice, as Jones puts it, is "lacking in power and resonance" (Jones, 2008 p.165). Similarly, Callas, "battled throughout her career against vocal problems" (Philip, 2008, p.178), although Philip admits Callas' considered technical ability varied between commentators. Philip mentions an "aggressive warble" (Philip, 2008, p.178) in th...
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (aka Madonna) is one of the most influential American Icons in the 21st century. She uses her sexuality and feminine characteristics to convey her beliefs to the public. She started a trend among youngster “wannabes” during the mid 80s (Cengage, 2003). These youngsters adopted Madonna’s messy hairdo and bold wardrobe such as lacy undergarments fully expresses the female sexuality and seductiveness. In this report, we will analyze Madonna’s career as an entertainer from the perspective of the Product life cycle and evaluate Madonna as a brand. A product life cycle describes how a product goes through the stages of introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
“If you have the opportunity to play this game of life you need to appreciate every moment. A lot of people don’t appreciate the moment until it's passed”-(kanye west).
The depiction of Madonna and Christ is among the most ancient and common in Christian iconography and has an extensive number of variations because apart from its symbolic religious functions, it allows one to interpret the link between mother and child in many aspects. (8)
As the "Queen of Tejano Music", Selena served as a very important representation of Latinos. As mentioned before, she was known as Mexican Madonna for her dance moves and nice looking outfits. After winning Best Female Vocalist and Performer of the Year for nine times in a row it seems impossible to forget the legacy that she has left for us. Selena was a person who stepped out of her comfort zone to succeed, as well as, never let money and fame get into her way. Selena became an inspiration not only to girls who shared her dream but to the many Latino people she represented. Through her music people have and still continue to unite and relate to. As a representation of the Hispanic and Latino culture, Selena has the touched the hearts of many who till this day remember and keep her legacy
8. Tilton, K. N. J. ed. (1997) Contexts of Dialectic: Constructivism in the works of Madonna. University of Oregon Press
When a strict nun rejected Shakira from the school choir because of her shrill vibrato, Shakira told a friend that, one day, she would have the last laugh when she became a world superstar (Salgado 2008). Neither the friend nor the nun could have imagined that years later, that shrill vibrato would catapult Shakira onto the very stage she promised to stand on, performing for leaders of state, Popes, and legions of fans worldwide. For Shakira, as her artistic empire expanded, so too did her linguistic and performative repertoire. By employing discourse analysis, this essay will trace the linguistic journey associated with Shakira’s musical history, beginning with some of her earlier songs—Ojos Así (Eyes Like Yours) [1998], Suerte (Wherever, Whenever) [2001], and Hips Don’t Lie [2005]—to some of her more recent work—Lo Hecho Está Hecho (Did It Again) [2009] and Addicted to You [2010]—in order to understand how language and performance of her music affect the ways in which listeners consume, interpret, and experience Shakira as a US-Colombian, a Latina, and a global citizen.
Some can be dancers, comedians, events hosts, models, DJs and so much more but I’m just here to talk about drag queen singers. This essay will talk about the production of a drag queen music video and what has to be done to change the appearance of the artist and also depict the meaning of two music videos.
Madonna is one of the most recognizable female artist and performer in the world. She has inspired so many people, not just fans. Madonna’s career hit sky-high when debuting her first 3 albums. She faced many challenges, but learned how to get through them. She is not just a phenomenal artist, but she is a phenomenal dancer.
One of bachatas defining characteristics is the usually extreme emotional singing style. “Bachata is essentially a vocal genre, meant ...
turns of phrase. She’s a walking exaggeration, outsize in sound, personality and look. And she’s
Robinson, Peter. “Madonna: 50 poptastic facts.” guardian.co.uk. 15 Aug. 2008. Guardian News and Media Limited. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Though, Maria Callas gained her reputation by performing outstanding musical concerts and displaying enriching vocal sounds, contrary in contrast to Madonna. Callas became known as one of the most renowned operatic divas of the mid-twentieth century shortly after ‘culminating in a ‘stunning’ performance in 1949 in Bellini’s I Puritani at La Fenice Theatre, Venice’ (Moohan, E,. 2008, p.192). Having had ‘an extraordinarily and sensitive way of acting the words as she sang them’ (Phillip, R,.
On the 11th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mariah Carey was given the chance to induct Gladys Knight and the Pips who were a soul and R&B family group into this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She gave a heartwarming speech on how Ms. Knight was a huge impact. Some words she said were, “ thank you so much for being a constant influence on me.” Mariah Carey was also inspired by different genres of music like Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Soul, Pop, Dance, soft rock, hip hop, and country. To add on, Mariah Carey was blessed with the opportunity to perform with the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. They performed on live television singing Aretha Franklin’s hit song, “Chain of Fools.” Aretha and her met at the Grammy’s and became good friends. Mariah Carey is often referred to as our generation Aretha Franklin and is often compared to Whitney Houston and Celine
Personally, I think Paglia argument that blames Gaga for not being sexy did not explain enough about Gaga who know how to play piano, write music, sing great live, dance, and make fashion (Needham 2). It mostly comparison to her “long-term crush” (Needham 2) Madonna who is, as Paglia stated, “the future of feminism” (“Madonna I: Animality and Artifice” 90) now seems “marooned in the past” (Needham 2). Overall Gaga is empowering everyone respect each other and love themselves, unlike Rihanna who exploiting women to be a slave for men. I believe Rihanna not only degrading women but also exploiting kids by sing to them inappropriate song for their age. Regardless if number of musicians like Rihanna increase, I think Gaga will accomplish far more success than musicians who choose to follow rather than lead.
Is Lana Del Rey one of the most depressing female artists to come along in the last ten years? Why? Yes, because that’s her style. Her songs seem to be depressing, but it's a reflection of who she is as an artist as well as the experiences she had early on in life. Her lyrics are heartfelt and poetic in the modern way, and her vocals are not necessarily for mainstream music; she has a whole style of her own that's different from pop stars of this age. My topic will revolve around a discussion of the music of Lana Del Rey. One of the most enigmatic personalities of modern pop, Del Rey seems to be able to speak directly to the human soul, with this magical way of lending her lyrics to our lives.