by Lady Gaga has never directly stated specific lessons learned from Michael Jackson. However, looking closely at their careers and artistry, some interesting parallels emerge between the two iconic performers. While Gaga has undoubtedly forged her own unique path in the music industry, there are ways in which she may have taken inspiration and guidance from the career of the late “King of Pop.”
The Power of Performance
One of the most obvious through-lines between Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga is their commitment to incredible live performances. Both are known worldwide not just for their hit songs, but for elevating their concerts into true spectacle. Jackson set the bar incredibly high with his Dangerous and HIStory tours in the early 1990s, which featured elaborate sets, complex choreography, and elaborate costumes. He pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved in a live show.
Lady Gaga has followed suit by creating similarly theatrical concert experiences. Her Born This Way Ball tour in 2012-2013 featured four different conceptual “acts” that advanced the narrative of the album. She utilized everything from aerial stunts to costume changes to immerse audiences in her artistic vision. Her Joanne World Tour the following year showcased her piano skills with more intimate staging.
But it was her Monster Ball shows from 2009-2011 that truly cemented Gaga as a force to be reckoned with live. Drawing inspiration likely from Jackson’s flashy performances, she debuted complex choreography, jaw-dropping costume reveals, and even brought a car onto the stage at one point. The Monster Ball shows established Gaga as a singular live talent and set the precedent for her future tours to become must-see events.
Image as Art
Another key area where Gaga seems to have taken a page from Jackson’s book is in using her image and persona as a core part of her artistry. Jackson revolutionized the music video when he debuted the short film for “Thriller” in 1983. He also crafted an iconic on-stage look, most notably his single white glove that became synonymous with his name.
Throughout his career, Jackson was a master of reinvention – from the afro-sporting young star to the smooth criminal to the dangerous era. Each new phase brought a new visual aesthetic and style. His image was meticulously crafted and just as much a part of his art as his music.
Lady Gaga has followed a similar model. In her early career, she broke out with her outlandish fashion sense, from the infamous meat dress to voluminous wigs and headdresses. Her eye-catching looks garnered attention and set her apart from other artists. Each new album era also brought a new persona, like the biker chick of Born This Way or the more stripped down image on Joanne.
Gaga’s videos, too, are mini films that advance both narrative and visuals. Clips like “Bad Romance,” “Telephone” and “Paparazzi” pushed boundaries and cemented her as a true auteur. Her image reinvented to match each project. By making visuals and persona integral parts of the art, Gaga mirrored Jackson’s understanding that a cohesive image elevates the music experience.
Pushing Boundaries
Another parallel between the careers and messages of Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga is their commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging norms in the industry. Jackson broke barriers as a Black artist achieving unprecedented mainstream success during the segregated 1980s. He brought Black culture and style into the mainstream through his music and videos.
Gaga, too, has used her platform to advocate for inclusivity and championing the marginalized. As a vocal LGBTQ+ ally, she has been at the forefront of bringing issues like transgender rights into the national conversation. Her early hits like “Poker Face” and “Born This Way” carried messages of empowerment for the queer community.
Through her music and activism, Gaga has pushed for a more accepting society. She has also challenged body-shaming and advocated for embracing oneself fully as she did by wearing a dress made of raw beef to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. By pushing social boundaries and normalizing discussions around gender and sexuality, Gaga paralleled Jackson’s own efforts to integrate Black culture into the mainstream. Both used their artistry and influence to further important conversations around inclusion.
Songwriting Prowess
Beyond their performative talents, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga also share a gift for strong songwriting. Jackson not only crafted chart-topping hits but co-wrote many of them as well. Albums like Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous contained some of the most popular songs of all time that Jackson had a hand in creating.
Lady Gaga, too, has proven herself a skilled songwriter in addition to being a performer. While she has collaborated with other writers like RedOne and Fernando Garibay, Gaga has co-written the majority of her own material. This includes mega-hits like “Poker Face,” “Bad Romance,” “Born This Way,” and “Shallow.” Her songwriting skills have been praised for crafting anthemic pop songs with deep layers of meaning.
By taking an active role in the songwriting process and understanding the importance of strong compositions, Gaga seems to have learned from Jackson’s example of artistry encompassing both performance and the craft of songwriting. Her diverse catalogue of co-written hits shows an innate understanding of melody, lyrics, and storytelling – just as Jackson had demonstrated throughout his career.
Forging Her Own Path
While there are certainly parallels that can be drawn between Lady Gaga’s career trajectory and artistic choices compared to Michael Jackson’s pioneering model, it’s important to note that Gaga has very much forged her own path as well. She has taken inspiration from Jackson and other icons but created a singular brand of pop artistry all her own.
Gaga infuses her music with bold messages of self-acceptance, LGBTQ+ rights, and female empowerment. She uses her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart. Through philanthropic efforts like her Born This Way Foundation, she continues Jackson’s legacy of using celebrity for social good. Her eclectic influences span genres from dance pop to jazz to rock.
Most importantly, Gaga writes her own rules. She challenges norms with her unapologetic visual style and unfiltered personality. There is no one quite like Lady Gaga in today’s pop landscape, and that individuality is a testament to how she has built upon lessons from icons like Jackson while carving out a wholly unique path of her own.
In the end, while Lady Gaga has never directly credited Michael Jackson as an influence, it’s undeniable that some parallels exist between their careers. Both pushed creative and social boundaries through music, performance, visuals and message. They understood the power of image and persona to elevate artistry. Through complex live shows, hit songs, and using their platforms purposefully, Jackson and Gaga established themselves as singular forces in pop culture. By studying icons like Jackson who came before, Gaga has been able to achieve phenomenal success on her own innovative terms.
Thử lại
Claude-Instant-100k
