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Plagiarism and Racism? Lady Gagas Born This Way Wreaks Contraversy
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posted02/28/2011 04:00 AM (UTC)by
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02/22/2006 12:35 AM (UTC)
The Queen of Dance has done it again, and this time even her Little Monsters are calling it out.



Lady Gaga's newest hit, "Born This Way," made history for becoming Billboard's 1000th number one song on the Hot 100. However, it has also gained infamy for it's alleged thievery within the music and racism within the lyrics.

1.) Born This Way vs Express Yourself

It has been widely claimed, by critics and fans alike, that "Born This Way" bares many similarities to Madonna's iconic "Express Yourself." While some say it is the music's composition itself, others claim it to be the overall message in the song.

RIYAKOU SAYS: The composition of both songs are very much different. While "Expres Yourself" carries a mid-tempo pop tune, "Born This Way" has an extreme Dance style to it, manifested by the 4/4 quality in the kicks. Furthermore, while the riffs sound slightly similar, that's all they are. In fact, the riff in "Born This Way" uses a greater variety of notes than the one in "Express Yourself."
As for the the message in the songs, Madonna's "Express Yourself" is exclusive to the empowerment of women, while Gaga's "Born This Way" delivers the message that we are who are, and we should embrace it rather than condemn ourselves, or allow someone else to.


2.) Racist Lyrics

Asian and Latin communities have publicly criticized the lyrics in "Born This Way" for its use of the terms "orient" and "chola" respectively, stating that both words are derogatory and offensive.

RIYAKOU SAYS: If those people would have taken the time to digest the lyrics, they would have noticed that Lady Gaga was using those terms to a.) mock those who actually use them offensively, and b.) declare that such terms should not mean anything to you (generally), because there is nothing wrong with who you are. You were born that way. To strengthen this, Gaga actually sings in her lyrics, "God don't make mistakes," which is a clear note that she was embracing the Asian and Latin communities, not bashing them.


Overall, the song is not filled with stolen material, nor is it a spawn of racism. Once again, people are being quick to slash the odd one, and many others are hopping on the bandwagon.

To those wanna hate and give in to bullshit hype, I say:

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(Erik)
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 •02/26/2011 02:41 PM (UTC) •
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Someone somewhere will always find a way to be offended by something.
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Toxik
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 •02/26/2011 04:19 PM (UTC) •
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I can't get into that song... Yet...
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Chrome
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 •02/26/2011 06:18 PM (UTC) •
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Lady Gag-a needs no protection, she can speak well for herself.

I am more concerned with her substanceless material, but hey, music bussiness.
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skyboy
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 •02/26/2011 07:13 PM (UTC) •
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I like the meaning behind the song, but I don't really like the song itself. A little asian girl did a stripped version of it and I loved it! I think that maybe Gaga's version has too much going on for me lol. I really don't follow Gaga and her doings too much, has Madonna said anything?
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GodlyShinnok
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 •02/26/2011 07:19 PM (UTC) •
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Chola is not offensive.
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Ninja_Mime
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 •02/26/2011 07:38 PM (UTC) •
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I didn't realize it was 20 years ago. Why is this offensive?
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Vash_15
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 •02/26/2011 10:16 PM (UTC) •
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lol at the orient/chola thing. She can't say those, but whenever a rapper utters the word "nigger" he gets a high five.
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drpvfx
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 •02/26/2011 11:02 PM (UTC) •
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Agreed. (at OP)
It's Madonna-esque, yeah, but so what? She's always bordered on that.
Random, but I'm glad she said "Lebanese". Lebanon needs more non-horrible publicity!
Thanks for reminding me I needed to buy this one!
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petrcech
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 •02/26/2011 11:20 PM (UTC) •
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Agreed! All haters can SUCK IT!!!
I love Born this way, it has such a basic, yet deep and meaningful message.
When I listen to it, it makes me feel better about myself, few songs can do that.
Lady Gaga's courage has payed off; now she's filthy rich and loved.
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QueenSindel(TheBitch)
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 •02/27/2011 04:43 PM (UTC) •
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Hardly is this controversy.
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MyQueenSindel
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 •02/27/2011 05:08 PM (UTC) •
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lol at anyone who assumes she intended to be racist.

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ShaoKahnsBoyfriend
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 •02/27/2011 08:21 PM (UTC) •
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I haven't heard the song yet anywhere. Didn't Eminem win Grammy's for abusing a pregnant Dido in a video? controversy i think just increases sales for anything across the board, especially in music. so I really doubt they mean anything offensively or would glorify negative actions.

However, I will say her song Alejandro is nearly a blatant rip off of "Don't Turn Around" by Ace of Base. But, I think she has pointed this out b4. Also, I've not heard the songwriters or the band say anything negative in regards to it. but there are so many songs I hear that always sound like something else.
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Im_JUST_Sayin
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 •02/27/2011 08:42 PM (UTC) •
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(Erik) Wrote:
Someone somewhere will always find a way to be offended by something.


This.

People love to play the victim card when they get offended.
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Im_JUST_Sayin
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 •02/27/2011 08:44 PM (UTC) •
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Vash_15 Wrote:
lol at the orient/chola thing. She can't say those, but whenever a rapper utters the word "nigger" he gets a high five.


This is a great point.

When white people drop the "n bomb," it supposedly stirs up painful memories of the past.

But I ask you, black friends, if we are all equal, why does this word not bring these memories up when a black person drops the "n bomb?"

Serious question.
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Spaceman
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 •02/27/2011 09:31 PM (UTC) •
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Im_JUST_Sayin Wrote:
Vash_15 Wrote:
lol at the orient/chola thing. She can't say those, but whenever a rapper utters the word "nigger" he gets a high five.


This is a great point.

When white people drop the "n bomb," it supposedly stirs up painful memories of the past.

But I ask you, black friends, if we are all equal, why does this word not bring these memories up when a black person drops the "n bomb?"

Serious question.


I know what you mean, but generally speaking, black people in America didn't enslave and take away the rights of other black people, white people did.

And I think to black people the 'n bomb' draws more on a sense of community and shared struggle/history than on an insulting, derogatory meaning.

But then again, I'm not black and wouldn't really know.
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Im_JUST_Sayin
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 •02/27/2011 09:37 PM (UTC) •
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Shared nothing.

I'd wager that about 95% of modern-day black Americans can't name any of their ancestors who were actually slaves.

It's a gimmick, man. There's no more "struggle." Today, there are programs focused specifically on getting young black people better careers and college educations. The whole oppression angle died a long time ago.

The average human being (regardless of race), is capable of being successful and productive. Really, the majority of problems are cultural. Role models and who supposedly "represent" certain communities can be attributed lots of fault for negative behaviors attached to said communities.
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.
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 •02/27/2011 10:56 PM (UTC) •
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Im_JUST_Sayin Wrote:
Vash_15 Wrote:
lol at the orient/chola thing. She can't say those, but whenever a rapper utters the word "nigger" he gets a high five.


This is a great point.

When white people drop the "n bomb," it supposedly stirs up painful memories of the past.

But I ask you, black friends, if we are all equal, why does this word not bring these memories up when a black person drops the "n bomb?"

Serious question.


Because, and this truly is their answer, thy have not experienced that pain, so they shouldn't get so upset by it.

Of course, it's hypocritical, given they'd raise hell if a white person says it.

Anyhoo, I'm positive Lady Gaga meant no harm by the use of "chola" and "orient." Witness the irony that the only folks creating negativity are the ones saying Lady Gaga is.
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phishstix17
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 •02/28/2011 04:00 AM (UTC) •
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Racism? No.

Plagiarism? A little bit, yeah

Listen to Express Yourself, in the chorus:

So if you want it right now
Make him show you how
Express what he's got,
Oh baby ready or not

The chorus for Gaga's song is note for note the same as this. The key and chord progressions throughout the song are also identical.

I'm a huge Gaga fan, but that point is blatantly apparent. If other recording artists such as Vanilla Ice (I know, not an "artist" it's what I could think of off the top of my head) have to be held accountable for using Under Pressure's riff but claimed it was different because they added one more lick, she's gotta be too.

But Madonna's cool with it, so I dunno why people are still talking about it. It is what it is, and it's a fun song.
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