THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IGGY: A question of authenticity.
There's no doubting Australian bombshell Iggy Azalea's impact on the current pop landscape; with the colossal success of 'Fancy' and a feature on the smash 'Problem', Iggy has been everywhere this summer. However, like many of her contemporaries Iggy's success does not come without backlash or criticism but, unlike many others it is not an issue of talent or musicality, its one of authenticity.
Since Iggy began posting self edited videos of her rapping over beats onto YouTube, her thick southern accent has been highlighted, whereas in interviews her accent is still very Australian. Many have compared her to British artist M.I.A who raps in the same way that she speaks. As a white girl from a non-US country this was obviously going to be a problem. It is more than likely that she is putting the voice on and playing a character, but what she is doing is entertaining so I don't see the problem. The main issue in Iggy's game plan lies elsewhere.
Artist often reference other artist and different forms of media to create what they want to show the world. This may be where the issue of authenticity arises with Ms Azalea. Everyone of her music videos is a reference to a classic film or TV programme, her mixtape art was based on a boxing poster / art featuring Basquiat and Warhol, her whole persona when rapping could be compared to other southern rappers, so the whole question becomes who is Iggy Azalea and where does all the 'bad bitch' attitude come from? And this does nothing to prevent claims that she doesn't write her own material.
The criticisms of Iggy will stop when the person we get from her music meets the person we see in interviews. Hopefully we will see a median between the two polar opposites, or they become one, like Sasha Fierce and Beyonce. Artist cannot rely on mere fantasy or creation, even Lady Gaga lets the world she who she is beyond her performance persona.
Peace and Blessings,
Andre
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