The last few years have seen Pop’s arena welcome a troupe of fresh faced Gladiators all competing in tandem to win the affections of the record-buying public.
There is Rihanna, whose weapon of choice changes with the sway of public opinion. Ever ready to vaguely adapt to what she believes will help her win the fight.
Then there is Katy Perry and Ke$ha, with swords forged deep in the pits of Dr. Luke‘s imaginirium. Satisfied with receiving whatever spoils of war a certain Britney Spears is too pre-occupied to claim for herself.
From the realm of Rap comes Nicki Minaj, with a battle axe stolen from Lil Kim‘s weapons cabinet. Slicing through Hip Hop’s archaic code and conventions to carve her name in the sand as Rap’s first Pop Empress, ready for battle at any given moment.
Then of course is the reigning champion Lady GaGa, equipped with a glitter stained double edged sword. Controversy on one edge and undeniable talent on the other.
And while these assassins battle each other, hoping to out-perform one another in the pits of Pop’s amphitheatre, an unlikely contender watches from the crowd.
A lone voice amidst the noise that is Contemporary Pop.
She is Adele. Pop’s unlikely Warrior Queen.