Fergie and corporate America: good match or mismatch?

PLEASE!  When did "pop icons" EVER have "hipster indifference"?  Why are you acting as though someone with an IOTA of individuality has sold out?  I've always thought Fergie is one of the most marketed, corporate acts around.  It's not like she's from some '70s punk band or something -- isn't pop synonymous with corporate anyway?  What exactly is she "selling out"?  Are people really saying, "Wow, 'London Bridge' used to have such depth, and now it's just mindless dribble"?  And what was her "music" before, if not part of this supposedly new sellout?  Is today really that devoid of good stories?  And if it is, couldn't you blog about the sellout of someone who actually did something ARTISTIC?

I've also been wondering (on a related note) when satire (as I first thought "My Humps" was since no one could sing that seriously) become literal and real?  What exactly are you lamenting?  The music world's impending loss of beautiful alliteration and deeply heartfelt lyrics such as, "my lovely lady lumps," blatant plagiarism of catchy beats from '80s songs ("Supersonic", anyone?), her "unique" look consisting of blonde extensions, overdone make up, skimpy clothing and overly tanned skin now that she's "selling out"?  Just wondering.

 I'm lamenting that Fergie has become so insanely popular in the first place.

Bring on the hate mail.

Count me among the Fergie fans. No, hits like "My Humps" and "Fergalicious" aren't deep. They're not thought-provoking. But as roc points out, they are fun, catchy songs to sing along with in your car and dance to with your friends. And the gym ... I can't count the number of times I've been about to hop off the treadmill but the opening beats of "London Bridge" have given me a second wind and kept me running.

In my judgment, that's what Fergie's music is. That's all it aspires to be. And I think it will continue to be that -- no matter how many corporate sponsors she partners with. Although her lyrics are a little provacative, that can be said for most of today's pop artists -- from Justin Timberlake to Nelly Furtado and on down the line. So hopefully she won't be asked to tone it down. And although her personal life is fodder for the tabloids, she generally seems to keep herself pretty well under control. She stays out of jail. She gets involved with causes like Live Earth. Fergie, to me, represents a woman who took control of her life, worked hard and has become a huge success. In interviews, she seems very grounded (she still goes to Taco Bell, after all) and candid and generally the kind of person I root for. I think corporate America sees that appeal as well and is trying to piggy-back as much as they can. Fergie is hot right now -- in oh so many ways -- and I think both she and the big business types would be silly not to parlay that into more money for everyone involved.

 Like I said, I'm a fan. I love her with the Peas and I love her solo.  I'm going to keep watching and listening.

she's gross.

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'twas brillig, and the slithy toves

did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

all mimsy were the borogoves,

and the mome raths outgrabe

I don't even own a CD of hers, because I just can't keep up with all these musicians anymore, but I will soon,.  I'm a lifelong musician and a music person myself, for real, and I tend to stand back for a while before I buy.  However, in my experience, and I have often times been correct, there are artists who tend to just creep onto the scene.  I think Fergie is one of those.  Her artistry was flanked by Blackeyed Peas flashiness.  She shared the spotlight with them, but I always said that girl had a terrific voice and I just loved hearing her vocals, but I really tried to write her off.   BUT...I can no longer do that 'cuz I love her bigtime.  I tried to write off "Big Girls Don't Cry", but lo and behold I was  shopping, ie walking thru a store the other day, and went thru the music section and that song came on and I realized what a great walking, ie, moving on kind of song it was.  Whoever's spinning those tunes knows what they're doing.  Great pace, great vocals on the recording (I haven't heard her live, so I can't judge that), and I, again love the song.  Go Fergie, I'm definitely a fan, and will at some point go collect all my favorite Fergie vocals and have a very indulgent weekend with that voice.  Somethin' about her, can't quite place it, but perhaps she somehow deserves all this prosperity.  I think it's great until I hear she's not a good person.  So far I'm ok with it.  I thought "My Humps" was just delightful, quirky, fun.  I say we need more of that and it lifts my spirits!  Anyone who can rebound from substance abuse problems is very high on my list of favs!

 Yes I'm a fan! Can you tell?

db 

I thought you were talking about the royal family and Prince Andrew and weight watchers and.....

which I almost joined when I saw the picture of Fergie.  Holy crap? 

God I'm old...

All I keep thinking is.....Kids Incorporated....K...I...D...S.

But I'd say the the music is not monotonous. I don't like half of it but I'm not the target demo. tween or teens love that whoha.

I also did not know what to think of Fergie, but the more I see her the more I like her. She has a very down to earth, real personality.  I can not dislike her when I see her interviewed and she truly is humble, nice and not at al pretentious.  Also her self-awareness and the way she runs her relationsip with Josh Duhamel, not using it to get popular makes me like her more.

As far as her live performances are concerned, she is great. She totally rules the stage and is also fun, and she has great vocals.

When she did the Diana Concert and stood out there in spite of a microphone that did not work, and then did a great rendition of Big Girls Don't Cry, I gained more respect for her.

Unlike the Jessica Simpson's of the world who use their relationships and personal life to be a star, and then run off the stage or somehow have vocal issues when promoting a CD,  Fergie truly is a person who wants to sing be known for her work.

I think she is incredibly strong and a very centered person to put up with the abuse she gets online, an comments about how ugly she is.

In fact, if you have ever seen her live she is very striking and has an incredible nice energy coming off her  her,  

I think I can take My Humps and Fergalicious because when you really see Fergie, you see she is playing a role, and is nothing like that. She has fun with her sexuality, but in fact is as inpretentious as a person can get.  I saw a video on aol of her making of Fergalicious with Fatima Robinson, the choreographer who did Dream Girls, and Fergie was truly overwhelmed and choked up when she saw the set and what they did for her for the video.  That is a person I can like, and IMO it comes through and that is what people like about her.  Not to mention meeting her fans at every concert and doing free shows.

And her voice is great on her CD which IMO is very well done. Wll.I,.Am produced a great CD and that is why it has staying power. Her vocals outdo Kelly Clarkson anyday.  The CD has songs about her drug addiction and what she went through and about finally having found herself.   And there is fun stuff. The song "FinallY" can be a classic, with the music of John Legend and Fergie's great vocals. I love the song. 

IMO after seeing her live and hearing her CD, she has potential to do a lot more, like broadway type of acting.  Her ability to play act with the Peas and hold her own is really fun and she does a great job.

So, yeah, I am a fan, and IMO she deserves all of the success she has, she has worked hard, and IMo the endorsements will not hurt her, because when you see her,you see she is a real person and not a bimbo like Britney with no depth.   

I always thought Fergie was sexy but never thought she could actually sing to good. Then I heard her latest single (Sorry cant think of the name) and well my mind has changed about her singing. Well at lease I know she can sing at lease on that song.

Glad to see all the music fans steppin' up for Fergie!

db

I love Fergie.

She is the best!