Published: October 22, 2009

Vulgar. Outrageous. Bizarre. These are just a few words that have been used to describe pop star Lady GaGa. The latest pop sensation is rising to fame quite rapidly, but her eccentric ways allow people to pass quick judgment and question her, asking, “Is she just another gimmick?” However, these people do not realize the artistry that GaGa puts into her work. According to her official Web site, Lady GaGa picked up the piano by ear at the age of four and attended NYU’s Tisch school for a period of time before dropping out to pursue her music career. She is, indeed, the real deal.

It’s hard not to get up and dance whenever the infectious hits, “Just Dance,” “Poker Face” and “Paparazzi” play on the radio. Lady GaGa’s music can make anyone feel good and want to just have fun. GaGa’s album “The Fame” is a solid pop compilation that works well on any playlist. What makes Lady GaGa a true artist is her tremendous talent, visible in her live performances. It is impossible to deny that Lady GaGa gives a great live performance because not only does she sing all of her hits, but she also reworks all of them and creates luscious arrangements and electric performances that get the crowd going. GaGa’s recent performance at the MTV Video Music Awards is a testament to her performance skills and her ability to take pop music to the next level.

People tend to misinterpret Lady GaGa’s music and performances as crude. They fail to see GaGa’s dedication to the music industry and they write her off as another pop-processed “artist.” What people don’t realize is that Lady GaGa is dedicated to music and treats it as her job; she’s not looking for fifteen minutes of fame. In a recent interview with CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout, GaGa is asked about her claims of not making a profit on her success are true. GaGa responds very seriously, “Yeah, ask my manager. I don’t like to buy diamond watches and Range Rovers or expensive houses. I just like to spend money on the show. I’d much rather have the biggest show on earth than the biggest house.” Lady GaGa is about creating music for people to genuinely enjoy. Her dedication to her fans and her job is quite refreshing, and it’s what sets her apart from the rest of the wannabe pop stars.

It is fascinating to see how people constantly complain about the pop music industry and its failure to produce substantial artists, when all they have to do is look Lady GaGa’s way. With Disney turning into a pop machine and cranking out mediocre acts such as Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, the pop music industry is weakening. Lady GaGa may be the only hope to save the music industry.

GaGa’s music has shifted the way in which people think of pop music. People like her music because, as Lady GaGa explained in a CNN interview, “My music as well as my performance art offers a sense of escapism.” This is exactly what pop music should provide for people. She is a living legend, saving what’s left of the industry. People can pass judgment about her lifestyle, her morals or her pants-less wardrobe but they have to understand that it’s all part of the artist she is. With Lady GaGa’s popularity gaining support from many celebrities like fashion designer Marc Jacobs, it’s almost impossible to imagine that she would leave the music scene anytime soon.

This quote from Lady GaGa’s official Web site is really all you need to know about her passion for music. “I did this the way you are supposed to. I played every club in New York City and I bombed in every club and then killed it in every club and I found myself as an artist. I learned how to survive as an artist, get real and how to fail and then figure out who I was as singer and performer. And I worked hard.”

It’s nice to see a true artist in our midst. The way she is going, Lady GaGa is looking at a long, successful career. “The Fame: Monster,” the November re-release of “The Fame” sporting new tracks, has her fans anticipating what will Lady GaGa do next. The people who don’t like Lady GaGa need to learn to lighten up and embrace her true artistry and quirks. Like it or not, Lady GaGa is here to stay and will continue to surprise everyone with her talent and originality. It’s what makes her fans go GooGoo for GaGa.