Slightly misleading post title because I'm not sure I believe that. To make up my mind once and for all I am going to pit the two Diva's against each other in a number of bouts with the overall winner being decided by who wins the most categories.It's handbags at dawn! DING DING: bout one!
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| Madonna and Mariah Carey in 2010 |
Style: Mariah makes this easy for me since she's been stuck in stripper mode since the Rainbow album. High heels, micro dress- regardless of weight- and giant hair are her fashion staples. Madonna, however, has constantly been reinvented herself and and setting fashion trends with her canny ways since before I was born .
Voice: Sorry Madonna, this has never been your strong point. Mariah, on the other hand, could sing the phone book and make it sound like an angel whispering in your ear. Her voice is more than just a human piano; it has excellent tone, brilliant dynamics and is incredibly versatile.
Legacy: Madonna is a living legacy who's impact on not only music but popular culture can not be underestimated. If you were lucky enough to live through Madonna's career growing up in the 80s and 90s you'd remember how every release was a maelstrom of controversy and hysteria. She gave the female population and the disenfranchised a voice and an icon to aspirer to. Songs like "express yourself" about personal expression, "erotica" about sexual liberation, and "what it feels like for a girl" about sexism, are just some of the varied themes shes sung about.
I'm disappointed to say that Mariah's legacy will only be a realised after she pops her clogs. Her impact on singers is undoubtedly huge, and can clearly be seen on talent shows around the world, but frankly, at this moment in popular culture Mariah's seen as a bit of a a joke, with stories about her demanding puppies and practically worshipping butterfly exacerbating this.
However people need to remember that Mariah single handedly created the pop-hop genre with her remix of "Fantasy" by featuring the ODB. Back when Mariah released this track she was the white- yes I know she's "bi-racial", I'm just telling you how it was- girl next door and America's sweetheart. Next thing you know, totally out of the blue, she's released a song with a scary black gangsta rapper and a hip hop beat! The end result was it breaking down barriers between genres. Nowadays people take for granted the Diva/rapper combination but when Mariah did it it was unheard of.
Sales: Despite there not being any reliable figures pre 1991 I dont think anyone will argue with Madonna selling more. She's been going for almost an extra decade, and she was selling in the decades when albums routinely sold 10 million plus. She's also way more popular worldwide, thus having a bigger audience to buy her music.
Live act: Now I have been fortunate enough to have seen both artists live. I attended Mariah's "Rainbow" concert in the late 1990's and went to see Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet" concert a few years back. Which you prefer is subjective but it goes to if you prefer to "see" or "hear" ie do you go to see a show or to hear a singer. For me I'd rather listen to a singer than watch a show.
Likeability:Madonna has never had the likeability factor. She's renowned for being ruthlessy tough and demanding of those around her, and someone who you don't want to upset. To be fair that's probably how she has achieved the level of success she has, but to me its not an endearing quality. Mariah on the other hand not only is she genuinely funny and able to make fun of herself- demonstrated when she hosted the "Friday Night Project" and on her last visit to Alan carrs' "Chatty Man"- but the level of warmth she showers on her fans is touching. Bottom line is who would I rather go to dinner with?
( And for those who don't believe shes funny watch the video on the left and watch out for the laugh at 0:46).
VERDICT:
Suprise, surprise its a draw, with 3 a piece! So everyone needs to grow up, get over this feud and respect these two artists for what they've done! One is a performer and one is a singer and just to prove that point I've never heard anyone say they wanted to sing like Madonna, and no one has ever said they wanted to dance like Mariah. They are two sides of the same coin!
Now if only we could genetically meld their talents together, what would we get? Highlight Beyonce?...?for the answer. Lol. I kid. Long Live The Divas
The origin of all the hate between
MariahCarey and Madonna fans.
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