Jonas Akerlund on Madonna/Gaga comparisons

Posted by Sylar On Wednesday, March 17, 2010

“I really don’t like to compare the artists that I work with, because they are all so unique and so different,” he told MTV News about the Gaga/Madonna similarities. “One thing for sure is that Gaga is a true artist. She’s really a huge talent, and she’s such a hard worker. That makes me think of Madonna, because Madonna is always such a hard worker, more than anybody else.”

Like Madonna, Gaga also has a unique vision. “She’s always very creative,” he said of Madge. “She always goes back to creativity. She has so much politics around and all these stupid rumors and gossip and all that, and some artists manage to stay above that. So in that sense, I’m fine with comparing [Gaga and Madonna], but then again, they’re so different.”


Akerlund said he and Gaga have a long road ahead of them before they can have the relationship he has with the Queen of Pop. “I also have 12 years with Madonna and I have two videos with Gaga; it’s the future to tell, but I think that Gaga has all the potential and all the tools and all the brain to take her creativity as far she wants to,” he said. “But she’s great.

“Madonna was early to be one of those artists who thought more about the concept then just focusing on the one thing,” he continued. “And Gaga — that comes naturally for her. She sees her character and her career, and I’m happy to be part of it … but it’s not me; it’s her. Everything comes from her.”

Source: MTV

24 Responses to "Jonas Akerlund on Madonna/Gaga comparisons"

  1. Anonymous Said,

    for me this gaga lady is just another madonna-clone like others before. yes, maybe she is a little bit more provocative and creative than britney, christina or all the others. but in the end her concept is boring and strange and her music is old-fashioned and conventional (90s eurobeat is no real innovation for me). i saw a you tube-video from one of her live concerts recently - and oh my dear she is so bad. i would never pay for such a show. britney is far more professional than miss gaga. so in the end i think she will be another one-hit-wonder madonna-clone.

     

  2. Anonymous Said,

    One hit wonder? She has several hits, lmao. Hearing lady gaga perform on ellen live and some other things and hearing her slow down and really belt out her music she is an amazing singer. She has good style and she knows how to dance a lil. So she is both a great singer and a performer/entertainer. Sometimes she does things that are a lil too weird and stupid like telephone even though thats a great song and I get the concept for the video but its too out there. I like her sophisticated glamour or Gwen Stefani look. To me personally she is nothing like Madonna. Just because someone is provacative or does concept videos you cant say they are the same. The only thing you can compare about them is that they both push boundaries and are artistic thats about it I think. In order to stay in this business you have to keep on cranking shit out and do alot of promotion so that people dont forget your name or who you are. And you have to make good stuff cause if not only the die hard fans will follow. But that seemed to be Madonnas case. America as a mainstream totally dissed her as time went on but her real true loyal fans kept her on the mantal where she deserves to be cause after all SHE IS THE QUEEN. Personally I dont think anyone will be able to be like Madonna or do what she did.

     

  3. Anonymous Said,

    lady gaga is a good dancer? oh, she even can't dance in her strange videos. it's so funny that gaga is called a "superstar" although she has released only one album (and one ep). her second and third album will prove if she's really a star or only a mayfly.

    maybe lady gaga is something innovative for America, but for Europeans her songs sound like something we've heard nearly 15 years ago. lady gaga is known for more than 2 years now, but i can't see any change in her music or her style. her strange, freaky style is the same as seen in poker face.....................


    and yes, madonna is maybe not very sucessful in the us anymore (nevertheless her last album was no1 in the us) but imagine, there is a world outside the us - and it's a much bigger market.

     

  4. Anonymous Said,

    AMEN!!!

     

  5. Anonymous Said,

    COMPLETELY disagree with all of you. I am a HUGE fan of both. Yes, there will only be one Madonna, but Gaga definately has the potential to be the next Madonna. She has the "musical credentials" and raw talent to back up her stage presence and quirky-ness. Obviously she takes some influence from M, but who doesn't. Gaga always puts her own twist on it. Her creativity is on a different level that Madge. Not a better level - just a different one. Gaga is really setting the bar for artists nowadays...Rihanna is really ripping off her style. M has even given Gaga her approval. Don't even try to tell me that Madge doesnt feel a little threatened from Gaga. It you think Gaga is too strange or not talented, watch her early YouTube videos from her days at NYU. She is truly gifted. Of course only time will tell, but I think she will endure and be the next big thing. (shes already started working on her 3rd album. and yes, THE FAME MONSTER does count as a 2nd/sophomore album.)

     

  6. Anonymous Said,

    I hate to break it to you, but right now Madonna's career is dead in the water. Lady Gaga is definitely a better singer. Lady Gaga has had enough hits lately to fill up a greatest hits collection.

    Play "Revolver" and then play "Bad Romance"....Lady Gaga is better now and that's all that matters. Madonna is irrelevant right now. She needs new management and less "yes" people.

     

  7. Anonymous Said,

    Compare the following performances based on VOCALS:

    Madonna:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrmqTMqEUY

    Gaga:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7HvURBhMGE

    I love both Madge and Gaga, but Gaga's is much better.

     

  8. Anonymous Said,

    How can a 23 years old be compared to Madonna? Gaga must have a spice of her own , if anything because Gaga make her own songs she can continue to make songs and play small venues if she doesn't make it in the music world and its only this 10 , 20 or 30 hit wonders the poor thing has LOL . sadly Madonna sounds passe old style like a Mariah Carey when you listen to Gaga , just saying

     

  9. Trey Said,

    I don't disregard Gaga at all. I think she is interesting and talented. Much more than the Britney's and lot in the pop music world. Do I think she is original? Absolutely not. However the kids that are adoring her are not aware of how many other artists she rips off, other than Madonna of course. Dale Bozzio, Grace Jones, Siouxsie and of course M. She takes a bit from all of them and more. Gaga has a "haus of Gaga" to come up with her looks. She is a nice breathe of fresh air for pop women, but I don't count her in the same league as Madonna. Gaga is not groundbreaking, but fun at the time. Maybe she will last, time will tell.

     

  10. Anonymous Said,

    oh dear, i really can't hear this "the next madonna" anymore. i've heard this for years, and every new female pop singer has been called "the new madonna" - and all of them somehow faded away. this discussion is around since the 90s and i really can't stand it anymore.

    the fact is, madonna has sold more than 300 mio records (albums+singles), she has made the most sucessful tours of all time, she has sold more records that any other artits, she has had tons of hits - her carrer now last's for more than 25 years - that's unbelieveable for a female popstar. she has made so many groundbreaking things, she really changed the world of pop and a little bit also the society.

    there are other artists like britney spears - she is sucessful for 10 years now, has sold more than 100mio records an has had a bunch of international no1-hits- who deserve this title more than lady gaga...........wait 10 years and if lady gaga is still there and sucessful than compare her to madonna, but not now!

    so to compare a singer like lady gag who has had one album and several hits (many of them not internationally!) with her is a thing i really can't accept! i would propose all the "madonna-fans" (at least they think they are) who think this gaga is better than her to leave this site and go on the gaga-fan-sites (if they exist, i don't know).

    i really "love" the comment above which says lady gaga is better than madonna if you compare their voices.......that's so absurd

     

  11. Anonymous Said,

    The above post has no hard facts to back up the arguements. purely opinion, which is ok. and there are gaga fan sites, such as gagadaily.com, which is similiar to madgetribe.

    lets not forget that the above post with the youtube video of madonna has been dubbed over with a studio version, but the original sounded so bad. gaga's wasnt.

    im not one to stereo-type, and im not a homophobe/racist, but in GENERAL older gay fans always stand up for madonna. they are so unforgiving and dont give anyone else a chance. they dont even give them a listen, but they judge.

    and to correct the post above, many of gaga;s hits have been international. not every female artist has been compared to or called the next madonna. britney and gwen have been the closest, but gaga definately tops them with style, originality, creativity, talent, and vocals. i think we can consider britney out of the race...maybe.

     

  12. Anonymous Said,

    so much for gaga's creativity: she has now been sued by a former music producer who wrote songs for her for which he hasn't been paid. he wants 30 mio from her management. uhh, that's so creative :-))

    http://www.billboard.com/news/lady-gaga-sued-for-35m-by-producer-1004076925.story#/news/lady-gaga-sued-for-35m-by-producer-1004076925.story

    and i also think that it's ridiculous to compare pop singers voices. all should know that in pop it's not the voice, it's the songs, the image, the presentation what makes the difference.
    and if you compare: mariah is a much better singer than gaga and she is also not the new gaga or madonna or britney or whoever.

     

  13. Anonymous Said,

    Someone mentioned that its the older gay ones that stand by Madonna not true. I am 22 years old gay male from nyc and I stand by Madonna. I like lady gaga too but with all the tours and albums and documentaries that I have seen from Madonna she is always going to be number one for me. What I like about Madonna so much is primarily who is was and is now. I love her personality. She just shined as a person and made incredible images and music to showcase who she was and her take on things. She took us on an amazig journey from the 80s untill now with every album and every tour and doc showing her life and who she was as a person. This I can honestly say Lady Gaga does not do. She may have good music, an amazing voice, and on some cases really cool style but I dont get her personality. It is very subdued. It dosent radiate. Her personality is like bland to me. Madonna bled her soul out. I have been listening to her since I was a child born in 87. She touched us deeply and changed the way america/people though about things. Lady gaga dosent make us think she is just fun. But to be honest there is no intellectual depth there. What was also funny is that when they were on SNL Madonna looked fucking smoking hot and Lady Gaga looked crappy. But come on guys why cant lady gaga be lady gaga and madonna be madonna why do we have to compare them. And I dont care who says this or that no one is ever going to be like madonna or do what she did or leave that kind of impact madonna has done it been there done that and left her mark and is still doing so. So I think it is so stupid to compare gaga with madonna look at what the fuck madonna has done and look what gaga has done its like 2 percent to 100 percent. Come on people.

     

  14. Anonymous Said,

    I love madonna's voice
    theres no one like her!:P

     

  15. Zak London DJ GBH Said,

    Listen people i love madonna have done since i bought my first ever vinyl in 1986 (open your heart on 7 inch) im 33 and i dont consider myself an older gay man some of the comments here are fucking shocking because for one: Madonna is Madonna the end she has made her mark and has left her scare on this planet and what a beautiful scare it is, and there is so much more she will be giving us as fans for a long time to come.

    two: Lady Gaga is Lady Gaga and i remember when in the 80's the vibe madge gave people and it feels the same now with lady gaga the girl has amazing talent wheather you think its wierd or not.

    Its called changing times Madonna will always be Royalty but maybe shes now the queen mother, Lady gaga has the right attitude to be around for a long time to come and i hope she does!!

    There is no comparison between the two but answer me this if there was no Madonna would there have ever been a Gaga?

    BRING ON THE DUET!!!!!

     

  16. Anonymous Said,

    what does the lawsuit against lady gaga have to do with her creativity?? nothing. maybe he helped her write some songs, gave her some ideas, but that doesn't make her any less of a talent.

    some people are comparing what madonna has done to what gaga has done, but thats stupid! you cant compare that because obviously M has done more because shes been around long. If you were to compare the beginning of M's career (the first 2 yrs or so) to Gaga's, Gaga is more successful. Yes you can say M laid out the path for her, but w/e.

    Some one else said when M first came out they weren't comparing her to anyone else or calling her the "next so-and-so". Correction, yes they did. They called her the next Cher.

    Some of you need to be a little more open to new talent. Of course there will only be one M, and Gaga has a long way to go, but shes well on her way.

     

  17. Anonymous Said,

    Jonas Akerlund is not very smart. Why bother!

     

  18. Anonymous Said,

    Whos Cher lol

     

  19. Anonymous Said,

    Jonas Akerluld : "How can I get my foot out of muth?
    Madonna: " Dont call me Gaga"
    Lady Gaga " Hey Madonna I want the dramma that tortures your hair"
    Kylie minogue : " Hey what hapenned with the Kylie Vs Madonnna thing?"
    ME : everyone shup up already lol

     

  20. Anonymous Said,

    Madonna, the next Cher? Never heard it before, I've been around since 1983. Where that came from. They her to be the new Pat Benatar then.
    Jonas Akerlund is kissing Gaga's ass,because that's where the money will come from. Apart from Ray of Light, he did nothing great with Madonna. Compare truth or dare with I'n gonna tell you a secret is like...
    Mafonna is a reference in contemporary Music, lIke Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson. I don't believe that no one will match her achievements. Gaga has two great songs: Poker face and Bad Romance. How many has Madonna. I wonder if anyone will remember Poker Face in 25 years, like Holiday, Like a Virgin or Into The Groove.
    I heard Gaga covering Imagine, and Madonna does it much better. Her voice is more subtle and colorful. I love Gaga but comparing her to Madonna is pure Madness. But shouldn't music bring people together?????

     

  21. Anonymous Said,

    the person above is sadly mis-informed. maybe in YOUR opinion she has two great songs. Gaga's cover of Imagine is much different from M's, so to compare them is irrelavant....

     

  22. Trey Said,

    Someone mentioned that its the older gay ones that stand by Madonna not true. I am 22 years old gay male from nyc and I stand by Madonna. I like lady gaga too but with all the tours and albums and documentaries that I have seen from Madonna she is always going to be number one for me. What I like about Madonna so much is primarily who is was and is now. I love her personality. She just shined as a person and made incredible images and music to showcase who she was and her take on things. She took us on an amazig journey from the 80s untill now with every album and every tour and doc showing her life and who she was as a person. This I can honestly say Lady Gaga does not do. She may have good music, an amazing voice, and on some cases really cool style but I dont get her personality. It is very subdued. It dosent radiate. Her personality is like bland to me. Madonna bled her soul out. I have been listening to her since I was a child born in 87. She touched us deeply and changed the way america/people though about things. Lady gaga dosent make us think she is just fun. But to be honest there is no intellectual depth there. What was also funny is that when they were on SNL Madonna looked fucking smoking hot and Lady Gaga looked crappy. But come on guys why cant lady gaga be lady gaga and madonna be madonna why do we have to compare them. And I dont care who says this or that no one is ever going to be like madonna or do what she did or leave that kind of impact madonna has done it been there done that and left her mark and is still doing so. So I think it is so stupid to compare gaga with madonna look at what the fuck madonna has done and look what gaga has done its like 2 percent to 100 percent. Come on people.


    Whoever this Anonymous is he/she is spot on. Good going stranger!

     

  23. Anonymous Said,

    I dare the person above that say that I am misinformed where ot was sad or written that Madonna was the next Cher. I am not saying it's not true, I said I never heard it before.
    Madonna and Gaga covered Imagine, so yes they are comparable, even if it was a tango or Fado version, they are comparable.
    All above here are opinions. I am a Madonna fan, so I salute different opinions, and I respect them, don't call them irrelevant!
    Madonna's Body of work, I only think it's comparable to The Beatles or Michael Jackson. And I don't like any of them, but I recognise their importance.
    And Yes I am happy that Gaga is sucessful. As a gay man, I like artiists that approcach homossexuality in an artful way, we need it.
    Remember great artists and big acts like Cyndi Lauper and Alanis, how they ended.
    And finally: no one has Madonna's stage presence. And im my opinion, Gaga is clever and talented,but I just don't think that her act will last very long, because she's all about industry, soon they'll be hunting another "The next Madoonna"!!!!

     

  24. Anonymous Said,

    thats the thing thought, Gaga isnt about industry. yes she does commercials stuff, but so does M. Gaga combines commerical art with highbrow artistic forms. watch the trailer titled "the shortest musical you will ever see" on youtube. gaga is verstaile.

     

Post a Comment