LADY GAGA
•Mastery of pastiche (has anyone mentioned how much "Born This Way" sounds like a Madonna song? Not to mention Gaga's last two music videos are almost lectures on the history of the Madonna video. Then there are the throwbacks and references to Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Elton John, ABBA, etc.)
•Belief that art (in this case, pop music) not only exists in itself but that it can, does and should have relevance and even power in the cultural, social and even political contexts (Flambuoyant soldiers and topical issue of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" make for far more interesting music videos than the rejection and distrust of non-sexual interpersonal connection...hence "Alejandro")
•Conflation of "high" and "low" in popular culture through the undiscriminating use of elements, tools, and means of presentation from both as a rejection of any distinction at all. (It's important to remember that Gaga is a performance artist at her base, not a musician...a fact useful to recall whenever she has you stumped)
•References to and quotations of music from many different cultures and times (direct references like "Alejandro" (ABBA) or the occasional bits of foreign language that crop up here and there, although the latter is probably more influence by Sacred Heart than worldly inclusiveness)
•Disdain for rigid structural unity and social norms (Little Monsters, just be yourself, etc.)
•Self-referential art, i.e. metafiction (in Gaga's case, both specific references e.g. "I wanna *just dance* and "I'm a free bitch" in the song "Monster," referencing "Just Dance" and "Bad Romance," respectively; but also and mainly general references to dance, music, songwriting, and fame, e.g. "I love my life/I love this record" in "Born This Way")
http://www.vertigoshtick.com/2011/03/lady-gaga-born-this-way-vertigo-madonna.html
