The whole Lady GaGa verses Christina Aguilera debate has sparked a firestorm of controversy over who is the best. People do this all the time. They compare people who have similar taste, image and music. I think it’s healthy to acknowledge how we all influence each other. But now it’s becoming a debate over validity, relevance and ownership and the poor music  itself is getting lost in the shuffle.
There are a plethora of legendary artists that we can say borrowed, imitated and sampled other artists. Artists are respected for being originators. People want to know that whoever they portray themselves to be is really who they are; not a borrowed or cloned image of someone else. It’s no secret in music and hollywood that your worth is determined by your relevance and when you are “hot” you are really on fire. But, heaven forbid you fall out of people’s good grace. It’s as if all the glory goes away in one instant and people forget your initial impact on the world. People abandon you and chalk up your success to an isolated period of time. They say everything has an expiration date. And maybe this is true. People may not love you forever.

I have been curious about the public’s response to Christina’s comeback and I have been shocked to read that many people are offended by her return; even going so far as to accuse Christina of copying Lady GaGa. It’s as if people forgot the tremendous and lengthy career of the still youthful and relevant Christina Aguilera. One thing that I can say is that I am really impressed by the passion that both of their fans have expressed. I don’t know a single artist who wouldn’t want their fans to go to bat for them like this. This is what you call the “ride or die” fan. Loyal to the bone.

Recently the same debate has been sparked with Beyonce’s new video for “Why Don’t You Love Me”. People are comparing her 50’s Vintage style in her video with previous videos like Ashanti’s “Good Good” and Lady GaGa’s overall image. Sure the themes are exactly the same but check out how different each video is executed,  not to mention how different the songs are. (Check out Beyonce’s Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKqIgqJEH-o and Ashanti’s Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM6w3_ljSwo. Again, the die hard fans defend Beyonce’s creativity while others criticize her heavily even going so far as saying that she has no talent or depth. I mean, woah people. Really? Come on now. Let’s not be ridiculous. If you don’t like Beyonce’s music or any of the ladies I have mentioned, you are entitled but to actually say they have no talent is just plain mean. Sure it would be cool to say that you were the first to do something but if it is at all noteworthy, you better believe that you won’t be the last to do it either.

See, at the end of the day, the world is smaller than we all think and we are all fighting to stand out. There is no denying the similarities in style and music but isn’t it fair to say that this is going to happen from time to time. I don’t believe it is anyone’s real intent to clone someone else’s image. As a matter of fact, most artists do everything they possibly can to be original and stand out amongst their peers. But like I said, the world is much smaller than we think and we can’t deny how GREAT all of these women are. There are going to be overlapping ideas and imagery among artists and why is that a bad thing. Why is it being made out to seem like a spiteful, purposeful, attempt to take away each others glory. I mean let’s really look closely at these amazing women: Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Gaga, Grace Jones, Madonna, etc.. They are incredible entertainers, singers, songwriters whose talent is undeniable.

I think it’s interesting how male artists are sometimes compared but never to the extent where things get out of hand. Ne-Yo style and voice and Chris Brown and Usher’s performance/dance style and even Justin Timberlake’s swagga are often compared to Michael Jackson’s but there was very little backlash for it. Trey Songs is being dubbed as the young R-Kelly but no one is hating on him for the obvious R-Kelly influence in his music and style.

Listen…these women are mega-stars in the industry. There is more pressure in the industry for women to maintain a strong image. I think it’s great to analyze and compare. Within those comparisons, you are going to find similarities. The industry is small and sometimes ideas will be recycled. I don’t think anything is wrong with that. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being influenced by someone else’s style. There is a difference between plagiarism and para-phrasing right? While originality is more refreshing and highly respected and the ultimate goal, try living your entire life doing things that not a single person on earth has done. Try rocking a look that no one else on earth has worn. It sounds pretty impossible to me. The one thing that is more impressive to me than anything else is that all of these women have carved out a life of happiness, tremendous success, wealth, fame that few people can say they have accomplished; “cut to scene in the “Why Don’t you Love Me” video where Beyonce is dusting off a total of 16 Grammy’s (she’s not even 30 years old yet people…let that image marinate in your mind for a little while). They are doing what they love and what they are passionate about and look at all the success that it has brought them. The most poignant similarity that I can see in them all is fearlessness, fierceness and raw talent. How many people actually live their souls in the way that these women are doing. All I can say is “get it ladies…work it on out and uhhhhh….how about a collabo Honey B, GaGa, Madge, Christina and sprinkle some Grace Jones in the mix while you’re at it? Hmmmmm wouldn’t that be something?