Every morning, I wake up hoping I’ll “feel like P. Diddy.” Although I barely know who P. Diddy is, I worship the one who sings his name in her lyrics — Ke$ha.
My friends who have scrolled through my iPod know that nine out of the 25 most played songs on my iPod happen to be Ke$ha’s original lyrics. Surprisingly, less than a year ago, I even would go so far as to turn off the car radio the second I heard her yodeling.
As Ke$ha produced more controversial songs like “Your Love is My Drug,” similar to most of my peers, initially I hated her. But in the summer of 2011, a friend introduced me to Ke$ha’s second album, Cannibal, I grew to admire her. Eventually as I made her song “Blah Blah Blah” my ringtone, I idolized her, not only for her original rhyme and rhythm, but also for her shameless sparkling individuality.
Ke$ha is now my favorite artist. Whenever her beats come on, I automatically start tapping my foot as her infectious lyrics pound into my earphones. Her music is free-spirited and fun; she has inspired me to live every day like it’s my last. I often explore the cultural melting pot of San Francisco, shopping in the Haight, picnicking at Crissy Fields or watching street performers at Fisherman’s Wharf, “'Cuz when I leave for the night I ain't comin back” as Ke$ha asserts.
People have wondered why I love this autotuned queen. Part of my admiration comes from how she overcame her self-consciousness and poverty to being named the “Best New Act” by the MTV Europe Music Award. Ke$ha came from absolutely nothing. Born in Los Angeles, her dad abandoned her family, leaving her with no recollection of who he was and making her family dependent on welfare and food stamps to get by.
Her mother, a struggling songwriter, moved Kesha Rose Sebert and her two brothers to Nashville, following a job opportunity. Because of her out-of-the-ordinary style of homemade purple velvet pants and purple hair, the young adult Ke$ha never fit in with the Tennessee crowd, who made fun of her for her distinct originality, or, in their eyes, weirdness.
Getting the last laugh, Ke$ha turned all her ripped jeans and glitter into a million-dollar machine, writing her own music as well as others. She has co-written every song in her two albums and has even written songs for Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Miley Cyrus, which have all quickly turned into hits. Ke$ha, no surprise, not only has musical talent, but is a poet too.
To me, Ke$ha is more than just a dollar sign. She embraces her haters by rolling with their punches. Instead of pretending they don’t exist, she flaunts her uniqueness in their faces and even mocks herself with good humor. For instance her Twitter name is “ke$hasuxx.” She accepts herself for who she is and won’t wash the excessive glitter out of her hair for anyone. Ke$ha taught me that it’s okay to poke fun at myself and not care what anyone else thinks.
Ke$ha has never changed her image to appease others’ criticism, she has been true to herself and her music since the very beginning of her career. She makes her songs edgier and edgier, such as her single “Cannibal” where she claims “I eat boys up, breakfast and lunch...I am a cannibal.” The content of her music has stayed radical, true to her beginnings. Like in her song, “We R Who We R,” she gives others the self-confidence to be themselves because “You know we’re superstars, we are who we are.”
Despite her constant refere
nces to partying, drugs and alcohol in her songs, Ke$ha has a solid head on her shoulders, unlike other popstars. She has not made irresponsible decisions that could cause unrest, like marrying someone she has known for only three months; or being an irresponsible parent by driving with a child on her lap while facing the wrong direction; or shaving her head bald. And to many people’s surprise, Ke$ha has never been enrolled into a rehabilitation center. Ke$ha hasn’t hit rock bottom thanks to her rational thinking. I still hold her on a high pedestal for her responsibility.
Although her songs portray her as a party animal, Ke$ha is both socially and politically conscious. Ke$ha raises her paws in the air when it comes to animal rights. I, as an environmental activist, want to support whatever has a beating heart, and Ke$ha has already done much to aid animals all over the world. She has protested against the clubbing of baby seals in Canada, has written to McDonald’s on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals about the cruel conditions of their slaughterhouses and is the Humane Society’s first global ambassador for animals, according to the Humane Society’s website (www.humanesociety.org). Her activism has inspired me to take action in my community. Because of Ke$ha, I give pets a place in my home and work to promote environmental awareness at Naturebridge Golden Gate.
Ke$ha also participated in the It Gets Better Project (www.itgetsbetter,org) by posting a video of herself supporting the LGBTQ community and people who are struggling with their sexual identity. She doesn’t just care for critters, she fosters the family of humanity.
So DJ, turn it up, because I’m ready to defend this artist no matter what!
Britney is the pop-nomena
By Elena Bernick
When I think back on my childhood, I can clearly remember spending countless afternoons hanging out with my friends in my room, my silver stereo blaring my favorite CDs. Most of the music was terrible, but one icon stands above the rest as not only being relatable to girls from 6 to 60, but also being the most influential — Britney Spears.
As an eight-year-old super fan, I owned Britney Barbie dolls, shirts with Britney’s smile and posters of her that my mom would scoff and roll her eyes at. Even though I couldn’t sing — and still can’t — I would belt out what words I could make out while dancing around my room to “Baby One More Time.” In a pre-adolescent fervor, I wanted to be just like Britney Spears.
In my mind, Britney could do no wrong. Everything she did became instantly cool: from provocative dance moves to wearing an all-denim outfit to an award show. My friends and I would belt out the words to “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman,” figuring the song was truly about our lives. I even wanted to dye my hair blond when I was in the 3rd grade, but my parents said no.
Britney is the poster child for the pop genre. She has the quintessential look that has become the standard, and she is clearly the inspiration for numerous artists. Whenever I see a singer — male or female — with their stomach bared, I think of Britney’s scandalous style that has become typical among performers. And hyped up gossip — before Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, there were Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Other pop singers can only follow in Britney’s footsteps.
A true trendsetter, Britney was at the forefront of the pop music movement in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She made simple beats and sugary sweet vocals wildly popular, reviving the teen pop scene of the 1980s. Along with her influence in music came her influence in dance. The sharp, choreographed dance moves featured in most of Britney’s videos can be seen in the work of other artists, such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, as well.
Over the years, I’ve moved away from listening to the over-auto tuned and often-annoying genre of mainstream pop music. The exception is still Britney, while she has not avoided the auto tune craze, her songs continue to be just as contagious as when she began her career. When her undeniably catchy songs come on, I can’t help but break out dancing like I did with my friends in the first grade. And they come on often. Britney has been a successful singer ever since her first album climbed the charts in 1999; and now, nearly 12 years later, she’s on her 7th album that came out in early 2011, Femme Fatale.
To me, Britney’s songs represent the true meaning of pop — popular. They are easy to sing to, and though Britney doesn’t write her songs, she chooses well and truly makes them her own. I can’t imagine anyone else singing, “Oops, I Did it Again.”
Through the years I, along with the rest of the world, have seen Britney go through numerous personal struggles. Has this stopped the princess of pop? Not a bit. Britney is like a boomerang: the more she’s thrown away, the more she’ll come back. Unlike similar pop singers, Britney’s career has survived changing times and changing music. While her struggles have been tragic, her comebacks have been inspiring.
As music has evolved, so has Britney. She has transformed herself from a typical pop singer to a true icon. My generation grew up with Britney, and her music grew with us. While others have faded into the background, Britney has been able to stay in the limelight whether by her music or her crazy antics. She has an undeniable charm that makes everyone want more from her, whether they admit it or not. That’s what makes Britney Spears a star.
No matter how many times Britney shaves her head or hits a car with an umbrella, she will always have a loyal fan base to encourage her to come back better and stronger than ever. Regardless of how old I get, there will always be space on my iPod and room in my heart for my favorite pop princess.
A version of this article first appeared in the Jan. 27, 2012 print edition of The Lowell.
