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Celeb News: Slate magazine on Rihanna's success
Member Since: 5/17/2010
Posts: 21,708
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Quote:
Originally posted by KΔΥ.ΒΣΣ
The thing is, when does Rihanna ever try to make herself seem like an artist, that wants to be taken seriously, and wants that artistic appeal that many scrutinize her for not having? The one time she ever did, she was at an all-time low in her life and decided to use it as therapy. As of right now she says she's living. And trying to enjoy life. Why can't her music be a reflection of that. The main problem is that people are trying to put her in a box with others such as Beyonce, GaGa, Mariah, Madonna, etc. The chicks on her own path. Everything doesn't have to be so textbook.
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Exactly. Every female artist is different ans should express themselves the way they see fit.
Whether it's on a uptempo track or a ballad, whether it's dry-humping a stripper pole or belting out a song behind a piano.
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Member Since: 2/17/2010
Posts: 21,811
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rico Shameless v2
The great "Bad Kids" might be a little nonsensical, but no different than something like "Rude Boy".
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You missed my point. I'm not saying that Rihanna is a great writer, but 3/4 of the Pop artist out there who write their music lyrics are nothing to be proud of, since the lyrics can be written by pretty much anybody else.
If Rihanna's music is dumb, she can hide behind the fact that she didn't write any of it. The others have no excuses.
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Member Since: 9/5/2011
Posts: 9,174
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For this person to do this about someone he or she clearly doesn't like is stupid. Even if it's true, it makes he or she look pressed.
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Member Since: 8/24/2008
Posts: 35,091
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Ultimately Rihanna is lazy and laid back which is fine, It's obvious she IS capable of more, but when she feels she needs to do more she will. I enjoy her for what she brings to the table now.
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Member Since: 5/13/2011
Posts: 10,910
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Quote:
Originally posted by effie593
Ok then... 
I hope you're not basing that on songs like Hair. |
You will not use the lyrics of the anthem of liberalism in such example.
If anything, go for GH lyrics. 
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Member Since: 1/27/2006
Posts: 51,546
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I think the whole songwriting thing needs to be dropped. GaGa is a very talented writer, while Rihanna hasn't proved she can compose a genius Pop record yet. So until then..
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Member Since: 4/17/2011
Posts: 9,162
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I read this somewhere else and although there is a lot of shade throwing, I find it to be very true.
In 1982, when Madonna released her first album, she was opening for New Edition; 5 years later she headlining sold-out football stadiums. In 1999, Britney Spears was performing in amusement parks and opening for *NSYNC; 2 years later she was a household name, who was selling out arenas and breaking album sales records. In 2009, Lady Gaga was opening for the Pussycat Dolls; 2 years later she was cultural icon who with the 4th highest grossing tour EVER by a female artist. When you look at Rihanna's peers and influences you will invariably see exponential artistic and commericial growth. Rihanna, by comparison, is essentially as we found her 6 years ago: a popular, pretty face, with danceable hits, who is unable to establish herself on the same albums/touring/influence level as her competitors. She has definitely become a pop music superstar, but her career has been one of consistency, as opposed to iconic innovation. When you look at the current pop music trinity (Godney, Godga, and Beysus) each of them has had TV concert specials, each of them has had a tour gross at least $100 million, each of them has had a #1 album in the United States, and each of them are bonafide pop icons in the minds of the general public and their stans.
The challange for Rihanna's team in 2012, is to make her stand out in the minds of the average non-stan. They must find a way to make Rihanna a part of a memorable pop culture moment that does not involve Chris Brown's knuckles. The easiest way to reach the masses is through high-profile performances; (Grammys, VMAs, BET Awards, TV concert specials, Super Bowl, the White House Fish Fry, etc) but if you've ever seen Rihanna perform live, you know that this poses a challenge. For obvious reasons, Rihanna probably won't be singing the National Anthem at anybody's Super Bowl; as far as award shows are concerned, the BET Awards have never really used her, the VMAs haven't seen it for her since "Disturbia", and the Grammys have never booked her to perform without pairing her with someone far more entertaining (The Time in 2008, Chris Brown in 2009, and Drake in 2011). 2011 was another big singles year for Rihanna, but she continued to be overshadowed in other areas. Katy Perry had 5 #1 singles from one album and sold far more concert tickets in America than Rihanna. Lady Gaga's first headlining tour grossed more than all of Rihanna's tours put together; and Rihanna's best first week album sales was lower than Beyonce's worst week. Yes, Rihanna has found a comfortable and respectable lane, but her success or failure in 2012 (and beyond) will boil down to her making herself important to people outside of her stanbase.
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Member Since: 8/24/2008
Posts: 35,091
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Rihanna is more talented than Gaga.
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Banned
Member Since: 6/10/2010
Posts: 658
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Quote:
Originally posted by dcode78
For this person to do this about someone he or she clearly doesn't like is stupid. Even if it's true, it makes he or she look pressed.
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LMAO.
He'll look ~~*"pressed"*~~ all the way to the bank to cash his Slate Magazine check. 
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Member Since: 3/6/2011
Posts: 4,948
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rico Shameless v2
I think the whole songwriting thing needs to be dropped. GaGa is a very talented writer, while Rihanna hasn't proved she can compose a genius Pop record yet. So until then..
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 I can't at Rihanna stand criticizing Gaga's songwriting.
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Member Since: 8/15/2010
Posts: 8,808
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Quote:
Originally posted by Яeo.
Since y'all are pushing it:
- 3/4 of the lyrics. Especially the "don't be a drag, just be a queen" part.
- "I'm just a holy fool, oh baby, he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas, baby."  talk about a rich language.
- Every part of 'Bad Kids'.
- Every part of 'Americano'.
- Bloody Mary is good, actually.
- You and I defines the term 'corny'.
Etc, etc... |
- BTW is undefendable.
- Americano has some really good coherent story.
- You and I has some great little lines: 'muscle car drove a track right through my heart' + 'We gotta a whole lotta money but we're not paying rent 'cause you can't buy a house in heaven babe'
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Member Since: 6/9/2011
Posts: 16,500
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Member Since: 4/9/2011
Posts: 5,143
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Pretty much sums up what I think about her and her career. I don't really expect too much when it comes to rihanna anyway and like others have stated, they could've done without the mention of other artists but whatever
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Member Since: 11/11/2010
Posts: 28,420
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Quote:
Originally posted by _roc la familia .
Great point.
But where are we supposed to FIND this fabled talent if singing isn't all that important and dancing doesn't matter either and songwriting is irrelevant?
Is picking out trendy demos a talent in 2011?
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All of those things are still important, but it depends on the artist. Do we expect Adele to slay some complex choreography? Of course not. Do we expect Britney to deliver us to the high heavens with live vocals? Of course not. Do we expect Fantasia to take English classes so she can learn how to write a song? Of course not. Each artist is stronger in different departments than others. Rihanna's strong point right now is her image. Some artists, such as Susan Boyle, don't rely on their image at all. But with pop artists, image is everything. And Rihanna is one of the few pop artists that always sing live at their concerts, for better or worse. She has most definitely improved over the years.
Do I wish that she would work harder on her vocals? Yes. Dance more? Hell yeah. Write more of her songs? You betcha. But what I want and what the general public/Def Jam/Rihanna wants are two completely different things.
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Member Since: 4/29/2011
Posts: 6,884
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Quote:
Originally posted by G4L
 of course it is!!! and it can't be put on a scale, there is no way to "measure" talent. |
No it's not. Either you can sing or you can't. Either you can act or you can't. Either you can draw or you can't. Talent, for the most part, is pretty black and white.
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Member Since: 1/27/2006
Posts: 51,546
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Quote:
Originally posted by Яeo.
You missed my point. I'm not saying that Rihanna is a great writer, but 3/4 of the Pop artist out there who write their music lyrics are nothing to be proud of, since the lyrics can be written by pretty much anybody else.
If Rihanna's music is dumb, she can hide behind the fact that she didn't write any of it. The others have no excuses.
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You said GaGa lyrics are nothing to be proud of, and then brought up obvious songs like "Bad Kids". While her discography as a whole possesses a lot of genius lyrics. And all lyrics can pretty much be written by anybody else. That's just an excuse to be difficult.
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Member Since: 4/24/2011
Posts: 4,998
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Quote:
Originally posted by Beyond Say
I read this somewhere else and although there is a lot of shade throwing, I find it to be very true.
In 1982, when Madonna released her first album, she was opening for New Edition; 5 years later she headlining sold-out football stadiums. In 1999, Britney Spears was performing in amusement parks and opening for *NSYNC; 2 years later she was a household name, who was selling out arenas and breaking album sales records. In 2009, Lady Gaga was opening for the Pussycat Dolls; 2 years later she was cultural icon who with the 4th highest grossing tour EVER by a female artist. When you look at Rihanna's peers and influences you will invariably see exponential artistic and commericial growth. Rihanna, by comparison, is essentially as we found her 6 years ago: a popular, pretty face, with danceable hits, who is unable to establish herself on the same albums/touring/influence level as her competitors. She has definitely become a pop music superstar, but her career has been one of consistency, as opposed to iconic innovation. When you look at the current pop music trinity (Godney, Godga, and Beysus) each of them has had TV concert specials, each of them has had a tour gross at least $100 million, each of them has had a #1 album in the United States, and each of them are bonafide pop icons in the minds of the general public and their stans.
The challange for Rihanna's team in 2012, is to make her stand out in the minds of the average non-stan. They must find a way to make Rihanna a part of a memorable pop culture moment that does not involve Chris Brown's knuckles. The easiest way to reach the masses is through high-profile performances; (Grammys, VMAs, BET Awards, TV concert specials, Super Bowl, the White House Fish Fry, etc) but if you've ever seen Rihanna perform live, you know that this poses a challenge. For obvious reasons, Rihanna probably won't be singing the National Anthem at anybody's Super Bowl; as far as award shows are concerned, the BET Awards have never really used her, the VMAs haven't seen it for her since "Disturbia", and the Grammys have never booked her to perform without pairing her with someone far more entertaining (The Time in 2008, Chris Brown in 2009, and Drake in 2011). 2011 was another big singles year for Rihanna, but she continued to be overshadowed in other areas. Katy Perry had 5 #1 singles from one album and sold far more concert tickets in America than Rihanna. Lady Gaga's first headlining tour grossed more than all of Rihanna's tours put together; and Rihanna's best first week album sales was lower than Beyonce's worst week. Yes, Rihanna has found a comfortable and respectable lane, but her success or failure in 2012 (and beyond) will boil down to her making herself important to people outside of her stanbase.
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Member Since: 4/15/2011
Posts: 6,446
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Quote:
Originally posted by Canonical Ensemble
You will not use the lyrics of the anthem of liberalism in such example.
If anything, go for GH lyrics. |
 Tbh one of the reasons I love Hair is because of the cheesy lyrics.
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Member Since: 5/17/2010
Posts: 21,708
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This thread isn't about Gaga.
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Member Since: 11/6/2010
Posts: 27,791
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Gaga is a good songwriter.
Quote:
Originally posted by i spit on haters
And Britney has nothing to prove at this point.
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I disagree.
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