• 1Jul 09

  Top Ten Pop Divas of All Time!

  In the past few months I've found myself becoming more and more addicted to checking the daily music charts. I can tell you at any time who's on top of the pop radio charts ("Don't Trust Me" at the moment, in case you're wondering), the Billboard Hot 100, or the Billboard 200 Albums. In the midst of tracking all of this, however, I've become saddened to see that most blogs list some crappy people as "divas", when really a lot of them stand as flavor-of-the-months rather than genuinely talented pop icons. I mean seriously, do we really need to consider Katy Perry anything close to diva or "Pop Princess"? Just because she can wear an apple-themed dress, sport a Betty Boop hairstyle, and "sing" about kissing a chick doesn't make her a diva. That makes her a tween icon.

  So in that case, allow me to list who I think has earned the title of diva:

  (in no particular order)

  1. Madonna - She's outspoken, she's blonde, she's fit, she's freaky, and she's totally not a virgin. "Madge" (as douchebag blogger Perez Hilton likes to call her...) has proven to be one of the most successful female artists of all time. She's sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, and continues to produce chart-topping albums. Unlike with a lot of artists, Madonna is better known for her live performances than her radio singles, and creates a true experience for concert-goers. She may not be the most talented gal on the block as far as the vocal range goes, but she's feisty and original enough to absolutely amaze you when showtime rolls around.
  2. Cher - ... and the gay community cheers and giggles as they see this entry. Yes, Cher is perhaps one of the most iconic figures of the past few decades, and rightfully so. She manages ab****y but likeable personality that meshes with pretty much everyone out there. Yet you wouldn't know that based on her lovestruck performances of hits like "Turn Back Time", "Believe", and her memorable duet with Sonny Bono, "I Got You Babe". And really, do I even need to mention the outrageous outfits? 'Nuff said.
  3. Celine Dion - Ok, so she writes virtually none of her music, is often viewed as a bit too innocent, and hasn't had a real hit for a few years. But who cares? She's Celine freakin' Dion! Have you heard her sing? Her swagger on-stage and booming voice is enough to qualify her as a true "diva". Not to mention she shares Madonna's success in album sales, also selling upwards of 200 million albums worldwide.
  4. Tina Turner - Yet another female artist selling 200 million worldwide, Tina stands out as another artist that can produce a uniquely energizing performance based on her stage presence. If you've never seen this diva perform, then you're truly missing out. And at age seventy, she's still going at it, closing up her career with another successful tour.
  5. Mariah Carey - I won't lie, I'm not much of a Mariah fan, but I can still appreciate the fact that she is (or at least was) one of the best singers of her generation. Mariah also stands out as one of the few artist that has perservered even after being deemed "irrelevant". Her 2008 album E=MC2 broke records, and her latest single "Obsessed" is just now taking off. And, yet again, she boasts a whopping 200 million albums sold worldwide, in an even shorter timespan than some of her companion divas. Only one request though, Mariah, please turn down the auto-tune and get back to actually impressing us with your vocals!
  6. Reba McEntire - The "Queen of Country" easily shines as one of the most likable, down-to-earth, friendly country girls on my list of divas. Much of her success lies in her everyday American appeal, which has made her a diva in other industries outside of music. Like Mariah, she also stands out as one of the few divas that has maintained her level of success, still producing chart-toppers to this day. This red-headed diva also manages to put on quite a show, which I was privileged to witness last fall.
  7. Britney Spears - Love her, hate her, say what you want about her, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek a-.... oh, whoops, wrong line. What I meant to say, is that despite what you may think of the Britster, she's a modern icon and pop diva that has paved the way for many of today's contemporary artists. In a sense, she's the Madonna of our generation. This 90's sex icon, while also being prone to controversial tabloid stories, is the epitome of "pop star".
  8. Alanis Morissette - Seven Grammy Awards and forty million copies worth in album sales later, Alanis Morissette remains the down-to-earth, brutally honest woman she's always claimed to be. Alanis is the star that managed to beat the odds. She doesn't have the flowing blonde hair of Britney Spears or Madonna, or the enormous boobs of Mariah Carey, or even the enormous vocal range of some of her counterparts, but her soulful but fierce voice and blunt lyrics make her more of a diva than she may think she is. And, if you were around at all during the nineties, then this name should be very familiar to you, as "Jagged Little Pill" stands as one of the most successful pop albums of all time.
  9. Dolly Parton - Dollywood, anyone? Ah, Dolly, the plastic figure that everyone can't help but adore. She's also had more country #1's than any other country artist in history, and remains an iconic figure to this day. One can't help but wonder how a battle between her and Mrs. McEntire would play out?
  10. Kelly Clarkson - Did you really think I could make it through this list and not include my beloved Kelly? But, I can honestly justify why she belongs on this list. To date, she remains the most successful (and consistently successful) alumni of American Idol. Perhaps what makes her most successful, is the proof that an American Idol can come out of the show on top. She ushered in a new generation of musicians, and supported the concept of having a fanbase before ever putting out an album. Take a look at your pop charts today, and I guarantee more than a handful of the artists on the chart will have come from American Idol. Kelly is, undoubtedly, the "Queen of Idol". Not to mention she's had more than her fair share of success, selling 20 million albums, churning nine top ten hits (and one top twenty hit), and earning two Grammy awards.

  The "Almost but not quite" List:

  • Christina Aguilera - You try so hard, and yet you never seem to quite make it. Unfortunately, Christina, you'll always be labeled as the "wannabe Britney".
  • Lady GaGa - Whether you like her or not, the girl has guts, and generates some serious fashion statements with those guts. But she also has some noteworthy pipes, and dance moves that put Britney to shame. Perhaps someday she'll work her way into the list.
  • P!nk - I think you'd be hardpressed to find a more successful or bad*** pop musician than P!nk. She's a serious rock star, and she's got some even more serious rock moves.
  • Whitney Houston - You've got quite the voice, and for awhile, we all liked you! And then, Bobby.... tsk tsk.
  • Beyonce - Just because you have a song calling yourself a diva, doesn't make you a diva. Tone down the ego a bit, then we'll talk.
  • Sheryl Crow - Though I think you're pretty amazing, I can't see the title of "diva" really fitting you.... it's just not your st yle.

  • Posted Jul 1, 2009 4:52 pm PT
  • Category: Music
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• 30Jun 09

  Stonewall Riots 40 Years Later: How far we have (and haven't) come

  It was forty years ago this week that the first real spark of the Gay Rights Movement took place in a discreet, small bar in New York City where homosexuals were known to gather. Following an unjust and unfounded inspection of the bar, police raided it... causing mass uproar and scenes of violence. You could say these people who began protesting at that moment in time, are the true disciples and voices of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and so many other Civil Rights leaders of the era that were brave enough to stand up for equality even when it wasn't the most popular or convenient time to do so.

  Yesterday, President Obama hosted a gay pride reception for those in the LGBT community, and briefly spoke of the issues surrounding the controversial topic. Alas, while his words were; unsurprisingly, inspirational, he once again proves his own tendency to say one thing and do another. Perhaps one of the biggest achievements made since the administration took office six months ago was the inclusion of full health benefits for same-sex couples employed by the federal government - an act that was initiated not by President Obama himself, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Ironic, considering the LGBT community has been promised for two years that action would be taken against the Defense of Marriage Act (which essentially denies basic rights to same-sex couples), and the LGBT community fittingly responded to these promises by overwhelmingly voting for him in the general election (70% of all LGBT voted for Obama.... not that that should be surprising to anyone).

  Now, I'm not going to sit here and say that Obama's first priority should have been to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and work on legalizing same-sex marriage, obviously there are more immediate and pressing matters to deal with (a failing economy, nuclear proliferation, you know, small stuff like that). But that doesn't mean that he should be excused for ignoring these problems that are very real. Where was he in the past few months when states like Maine, Vermont, and Iowa legalized same-sex marriage? Where were his supportive statements that are so critically needed at a time where the conservative right would love nothing more than to be able to use Obama's own hesitations against the movement?

  The lesson to be learned here, as usual, is that if you want something done and done right then it's best to take matters into your own hands. Politicians are about as reliable as the starving stray cat outside your door; eager to use you for your food andresources when in need, but incapable of giving back. But that's what civil rights movements have always been about: helping yourself. When society kicks you down and counts you out, that's when it's your moment to rise up stronger than ever.

  And in the forty years since the Stonewall Riots, that's what we've done.

  • Posted Jun 30, 2009 11:55 am PT
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• 21Jun 09

  Senior Week 2009! ... as a 2010 Senior!

  So I just got back from the beach for Senior Week 2009... and it was possibly one of the most epic times of my life!

  Ok, so the weather sucked, I didn't get to go to a club like I wanted to, and I met absolutely no one new. BUT, I did get to have my first true experience of total intoxication, and I got to ride a cheesy but oh-so-epic haunted house ride! The only sad part is that the trip had to end so soon... I felt like I could have experienced so much more with another day or two of vacation. But alas, I'm home now... back to work, back to boredom. I'll at least share the highlights of my vacation while sitting here bored, though!

  Highlight #1: Getting sexied up to go to a nightclub with my friends, only to get drenched in rain while standing in line, then realizing we forgot I.D., and watching the most anti-social and nervous of our friends remember his I.D. and walk inside. The best moment being when my best friend and I walked down the streets afterword to 711, and getting soaked by a passing car splashing a puddle of water onto us. It was like a scene right out of the movie theater.

  Highlight #2: Getting intoxicated with my brother and my friends, and drunk-dialing my two older brothers... one of which I'm sure was a bit surprised to see ME (typically the prude of the family) slurring my speech in a drunken stupor. Most amazing moment EVER.

  Highlight #3: Watching the "dungeon master" stumble into his condo. Yes, a creepy old man lived nextdoor to my brother's condo, and keeps a literal gate outside of his door that he crawls through every night. It's like his own sanctuary.

  Highlight #4: Epic lazer tag in a super cheap store with really tacky Super Mario Bros., Pac Man, and James Bond music playing in the background. Also, my best friend fittingly getting the label of "Hippo" as a player in the game. haha

  Highlight #5: Discovering a massive fountain full of foam. Random, but so lovely. (the assumption is that someone put a ton of bubble bath in the fountain and ran off)

  Highlight #6: Gaining extreme confidence only after talking with two hyper lesbians dancing around the boardwalk. Sadly enough, I kind of regret not getting their number.... they seemed like nice people.

  Highlight #7: Wasting $25 on Stacker trying to win a DSi or a Playstation 3. At least I didn't waste $100 like my brother did.... (after spending $100 on the game, he walked away, only to hear a ten year old win the game after one try in the background XD)

  Yes, the point of this blog is.... SENIOR WEEK= AMAZING! ^_^

  • Posted Jun 21, 2009 3:33 pm PT
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