Ouch! Billboard executive Bill Werde dealt some harsh reality to Christina Aguilera fans, claiming she hasn't reached the "legendary" status because she's yet to achieve great comeback success like Britney Spears. Madonna or Mariah Carey. He went on to called Beyoncé and Britney Spears "pop elite."
Interesting words, but I have to somewhat disagree with Mr. Werde. In this context, its sounds like he's saying you have to have some sort of downfall during your career and rise from it, which would be a contradiction to his statement about Beyoncé (unless you consider her Destiny's Child member rotations overcoming adversity).
Even with breakdowns aside, Christina is still one of the best selling and longest lasting female artists of the past decade+. I think people shorthand Christina because she was always somewhat in Britney's shadow. Then there's Bionic, an era looking down upon as one of the biggest let-downs in pop history. Still, it's only one album and Christina has done a lot of other great things during her career.
Do I think Christina is a legend? Yes. Based on talent alone, Christina will go down in history as one of the greatest powerhouse vocalists ever. That's why they are always calling on her to do a tribute.
I do, however, agree that become a legend is about a lot more than just continuing to put out music. A lot of what makes some artists "legendary" is beyond the music. There's iconic performances, controversies and a lot more to consider...
If we are saying Christina Aguilera isn't a legend, then we are saying artist like Kylie Minogue aren't legends, and I can't get down what that.
Is Christina a legend? Let us know in the comment section?
LegendTina!!!
ReplyDeleteOF COURSE SHE IS!!! yeah Bionic flopped (even tho it's a great album) but let's not forget Stripped and Back to Basics
ReplyDeleteLMAO @ her being "a great powerhouse vocalist" when that poor trashy bitch can't belt out without straining like hell and going flat and all kinds of off key.
ReplyDelete"if we are saying Christina Aguilera isn't a legend, then we are saying artist like Kylie Minogue aren't legends..."
ReplyDeletehow do you figure that...?
kylie's a global superstar and has been since '87 (k25, bitches!) and if you're using werde's definition she definitely is after the impossible princess didn't meet her previous commercial success and being diagnosed with breast cancer she staged a very successful comeback with light years which only continued with fever, body language, x, and aphrodite.
Kylie Minogue is basically the Christina to Madonna's Britney.
Deleteit's an unfair comparison though.
Deletechristina isn't as world renowned as kylie. kylie is an icon not just in pop music (for record sales as well as her image) but also a cultural icon as a cultural ambassador for her native australia and an icon to the gay community, like britney, like madonna
christina doesn't fit that category yet because she's arguably peaked career-wise. she's very talented as both a singer and a songwriter, but it takes more than that to be a legend.
christina doesn't amass the same level of media attention (arguably the best litmus test for a legend/legend in the making) as britney or madonna or kylie. christina still hasn't reached mononym level.
i'm not diminishing her accomplishments by any means, but if christina is remembered 20-40 years from now it will still be in reference to britney who was always portrayed as her rival and she never made enough of an impact to step out of britney's shadow.
Christina's best album is stripped.
ReplyDeleteand i agreed she isn't legend if she couldn't stay legend till the end..
i feel stripped is a little overrated, but bionic is criminally underrated so i guess it balances out.
DeleteThe word "legend" is used far too much. The only one of these women I would consider legendary is Madonna, due to her longevity & her numerous scandals. (And I am a big fan of a number of these artists, including Christina, Britney, & Kylie.)
ReplyDeleteI think "iconic" is a more appropriate term for pop artists of this level. And no, I don't think that Christina really qualifies right now. She did a number of years ago, and its very possible she will again, but she's coming off the least successful album she's ever had. Still, don't count her out. If Mariah can rebound after Glitter, I wouldn't be surprised if Christina can come back stronger after Bionic.
She is not a legend. He did not say Beyonce is a legend .. he said they're pop elite. He is saying they have the potential. He hints that he does not think Christina will ever be a legend. Kylie Minogue did have a lull in her career and was able to maintain relativity afterwards. Kylie was never as big as any of the legends mentioned and the person asked specifically if she was like Mariah, and Madonna. Relatively speaking she is nowhere near to their status. Beyonce and Britney on the other hand are the modern day Mariah and Madonna.
ReplyDeleteI think Christina is not YET a legend but will be.
ReplyDeleteI find that legendary status is a part public buzz, part credibility, part innovation to be relevant.
She's got the credibility since she has talent to back up her stuff and Grammys.
Innovation is there with her constant changes and risk taking, which is always important.
I think she's working on the public buzz part what with The Voice and doing more things like her World Hunger message. I don't think she needs a downfall similar to Britney dwindling to being demented at one point in her career.
she is NOT a legend.
ReplyDeleteshe has been around for a long time, has an amazing voice, and is pretty, but NOT a legend, YET.
she can maybe, idk, but as of today, she is not.
i don't think an artist has to overcome a meltdown or something to be a legend, but impact the music and pop culture in a major way.
artists like britney, madonna, mariah, are legends because of their music.
britney, madonna, they don't have amazing voices, but have great music. they are artists whose performances,
videos, and public life have left imprints on popular culture.
yes christina has grammy's, but she has yet to have iconic performances, videos, etc.
i think being a legend is part due with being recognized by pop culture.
tributes, tribute episodes, etc.
sorry christina, not just yet!