Selected Lady Gaga’s Songs: the Marxist Within
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Rationale of the study
There is no doubt that the mass media is omnipresent, mediating every aspect of our lives. How one relates to and interprets the world is largely colored by how the media informs us. In the world today, media has become as necessary as food and clothing. It is considered as the “mirror” of the modern society. It informs people about current affairs and entertains through the latest gossip and fashion. The role of media has become one way of trading and marketing of products and prejudice. Communities and individuals are bombarded constantly with messages from a multitude of sources including TV, billboard and magazines, to name a few. These messages promote not only products but moods, attitudes and a sense of what is and is not important. Mass media makes possible the concept of celebrity: without the ability of movies, magazines, music and news media to reach across thousands of miles, people could not become famous. (Chandler 2000) emphasizes the role of mass media in the reproduction of status quo. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , known by her stage name Lady Gaga is a living example of the concept of fame as a pop icon made possible because of media influence. Lady Gaga’s status as a self-esteem booster to her fans, innovator and fashion icon receives affirmations and criticisms by turn in the music industry. Her albums are well received with positive reviews giving her a unique place in pop music and she responds to the need of movements in popular
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Rationale of the study
There is no doubt that the mass media is omnipresent, mediating every aspect of our lives. How one relates to and interprets the world is largely colored by how the media informs us. In the world today, media has become as necessary as food and clothing. It is considered as the “mirror” of the modern society. It informs people about current affairs and entertains through the latest gossip and fashion. The role of media has become one way of trading and marketing of products and prejudice. Communities and individuals are bombarded constantly with messages from a multitude of sources including TV, billboard and magazines, to name a few. These messages promote not only products but moods, attitudes and a sense of what is and is not important. Mass media makes possible the concept of celebrity: without the ability of movies, magazines, music and news media to reach across thousands of miles, people could not become famous. (Chandler 2000) emphasizes the role of mass media in the reproduction of status quo. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , known by her stage name Lady Gaga is a living example of the concept of fame as a pop icon made possible because of media influence. Lady Gaga’s status as a self-esteem booster to her fans, innovator and fashion icon receives affirmations and criticisms by turn in the music industry. Her albums are well received with positive reviews giving her a unique place in pop music and she responds to the need of movements in popular