Independent Thinker
December 5, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Icon is such a loose term these days. If you think about it, every one in pop culture has been called an “icon” for some reason or another; Britney Spears(why, I don’t know), Rihanna(for her style of course, but even that is laughable), Justin Timberlake(how in the hell?), Kelly Rowland(yes, even Kelly has been called ‘iconic’. Love her or hate her she’s still a vet in this industry and her peers respect her), Lady GaGa(and she’s only been around for two seconds), Christina Aguilera(VOCALS for days, and her first two albums, Stripped and Back to Basics were CLASSIC. The divas of yesteryear would be proud), then, there’s Beyonce(MARKETABLE for days, and as a performer she has worked very hard to become the stage stomper that she is, but….), she’s still not doing anything that hasn’t already been done. None of the aforementioned are.

So as far as I’m concerned, she can have the term icon. They all can. Call me when someone from this school of wanna-be’s becomes LEGENDARY. Oh wait, that wont happen because in order to be a legend you have to be an innovator, a trailblazer, unique and talented in such a way that no one else can do it quite like you no matter how hard they try. None of the acts that I mentioned have any of those qualities, and the ones that come close, have traded in their artistic integrity for flash-in-the-pan singles that top the charts but have no staying power. It’s all forgettable, or comparable, two things you don’t want to be if you ever hope to reach legendary status.
The funny thing is, Beyonce made “icon status” her goal. WHO DOES THAT?! Back in the day artists didn’t go into the studio thinking, ‘O.K. I need this, this and that so I can become an icon by such and such a date.’ They just went into the studio and made the kind of MUSIC(the real stuff) that would resonate with people for years to come. Music that would insure they received recognition 20 to 30 years after their era. Consider the fact that Earth, Wind and Fire(the best band of all time) was just recognized AGAIN for being the amazing, innovative musicians, writers and vocalists(Philip Bailey is incomparable and Maurice White is a signature singer) that they are. Gladys Night was recognized. Then consider others like Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding(soul singers) to name a few. Consider performers like James Brown, Sammie Davis Jr. ,Tina Turner, Janis Joplin and more(they were new, fresh and authentic, each with their own signature). Consider groups like the Temptations, The Four Tops, Smoky and the Miracles, The Jacksons(that whole Motown sound), then groups like the Ojays, the Commadores, The Brothers Johnson, Brick, Parliament, the Ohio Players, the Average White Band, Blood Sweat and Tears(innovative BANDS and SANGA’S). I could go on and on. Stevie Wonder was in a league all his own. I’ll save my absolute favorites for last. Minnie Riperton and Donnie Hathaway. These two are incomparable. NO ONE FROM TODAY’S GENERATION OF POP TARTS CAN SING OR EVOKE EMOTION THE WAY THOSE TWO COULD; and they were both taken too soon(they died the year I was born).
I KNOW music, and what’s being pushed, promoted and played today is a cheap imitation. Artists like Donnie, India Arie, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony David(that whole neo-soul movement), as well as groups like the Brand New Heavies, Mint Condition, Toni,Tone, Tony, Envogue, and even modern r&b divas like Anita Baker, Mary J Blige, Monica, Brandy,Jennifer Hudson and even Joss Stone. Blue-eyed soul(Micheal McDonald, Micheal Bolton, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel,Steve Winwood, Remmy Shand and Robin Thicke) and even some rock and soul bands(Genesis, Tears for Fears, Hall & Oats, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, No Doubt, etc.)are the closest thing we have to what the LEGENDS used to do. Most of these artist are popular, even mainstream, but because they do not necessarily belong to the genre that is pop no one is mentioning them for icon status. But hey, why settle for being an icon like everybody else when you can follow in the footsteps of legends. While I do see that Beyonce is clearly influenced by legends, she is not cut from the same cloth as they are. The only reason she’s singled out amongst her peers today is because a lot of other pop acts suck. I don’t care how many hits you have on Billboard, if you can’t sing, you can’t sing; and Rihanna, Katy Perry and even Lady GaGa are walking, talking gimmicks with no real vocal prowess. Obviously, Beyonce would look like the best next to them, but, compare Beyonce to other VOCALISTS in her peer group(Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Chrisette Michelle, Kelly Rowland, Melanie Fiona, Adele, etc.) and she just fits in. She’s not the best or worst of the bunch, she’s just one of the bunch, nothing too special. Beyonce is the best of the pop tarts. I guess that makes her iconic; and that is what she’s always wanted to be so I hope she’s happy, because I don’t really see her going any further. Not unless she takes a COMPLETELY different approach to music and becomes an indie artist or something, and even that would be orchestrated and forced. I think ICON is it for Beyonce, and that’s not saying much, when you really think about it.
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THIS COMMENT RIGHT HERE IS THE ONLY COMMENT THAT MAKES SENSE! I dont know why WHUTT is liking this comment, which clearly states your girl RIHANNA cant sing to save her life! which clearly states Rihanna is making beyonce look like a legend!