Now, being in Britain- and being exceptionally lazy- I haven't had a chance to watch the premier of American Idol season 12. However, I have read my fair share of reviews of the show, and one thing is clear: Nicki Minaj is coming out on top in the battle of the Divas. Granted, it's only the first episode, but let's not let that stop us making wild judgements and alarmist statements on the repercussions this show may have on Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj's respective careers.
Let's be honest, Mariah Carey was always going to be an iffy judge. Despite her exceptional talent and success, her sweet public persona (real or not) was bound to get in the way of any useful criticism or honest feedback she could offer. Just read what Mariah had to say about her role, back in September:
I'll say, 'you can try this, you can try this,' only in a constructive way, to sort of be a guide and someone to give them guidance rather than, like, judging somebody.
Source: Hollywoodreporter.com:
It's a comment that doesn't immediately inspire confidence in the singer's ability as a useful, or entertaining, judge. Hearing sound bites like this, it's unsurprising that the American Idol producers would choose to hedge their bets and shop around for a loud mouth, and somewhat unpredictable character to join the panel. At least that way there would be a counter balance to the "softly-softly" approach Mariah was planning on coming with. So enters Nicki Minaj!
American Idol seems like the perfect platform for a relative newcomer like Nicki- who is still on some iteration of her first album- to build, and widen her current fanbase. It's a format that, even on paper, should work in favour of the rapper's forthrightness and ability to relate to the "common man". After all it wasn't that long ago that she was hustling for her own big break. Whether or not Nicki should be commenting on a person's vocal ability is another thing altogether, but CBSNEWS.com has already spoken on the contrasting judging styles, putting Nicki on top at this point:
Whether the clash is real or not, Minaj's scrappiness came off as far more entertaining than Carey's demure, even queenly manner.Source:CBS New
It's not just the relatability and honesty that I foresee working in Nicki's favour. Factor those traits in with her status as the underdog of the panel, and her having nothing to lose by being on the show, and it already seems clear that the deck is stacked in Nicki Minaj's favour from the outset. And Nicki's gain is only going to work against Mariah as "teamNicki"/"teamMariah" hashtags start flying this year.
Sure, "Lambs" and "Barbs" aren't going to be switching sides any time soon, but they aren't who these Divas will be hoping to appeal to: it's the undecided and a new generation of potential fans who they want to target and convert into sales. I just have a feeling in this age of the "accessible star" one rapping Diva is going to come off better for their time on the show than another with a multi-octave voice...
But what do you guys think?
[A few clips for your viewing pleasure!]
PS: #TeamMariah....
I'm sorry but Nicki is NO DIVA, she's just a talentless Gaga wannabe with a terrible voice, an awful look (even more synthetic than Gaga's), and very generic and lakclusting songs. I don't think she can win over any Diva because she's not even one of them. I can't believe that she is judging other people's talent when she have none.
ReplyDeleteProbably not watching this... but I'm pulling for you Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI actually respected what Mariah had to say about the contestants. I definitely think Nicki is very personable but beyond "tone" and looking for a total package her judging seems short sighted. I feel like Mariah covered a number of real vocal critiques in her responses and I like her wackiness, and all the causal shade.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the first episode myself I already have my own opinion of how this is all set up. Nicki is there to garner attention. Nothing more. She's there to keep the show alive. Her critiques were very mediocre focusing on tone and not saying much aside from that, and she was an attention hog. She would seriously not let anyone else Talk. It was bugging me. And she is worse than Mariah in terms of not being a serious judge. Mariah at least was able to easily say no to someone who was verrrrry bad. Nicki would struggle dragging out her negative sayings. Mariahs critiques focused on style, tone and texture. She never got overly technical but she clearly knows what shes talking about. Nicki was just speaking of pure tone. Keith is clearly very educated commenting on contestants vibrato and registers and I feel that Randy just doesn't care anymore. Nicki and Mariah would tease each other a little and that was no big deal, but they clearly don't care for each other. Mariah was very reserved. She was the serious judge. She is taking a sort of overly professional approach- which is why she clashes with Nicki. They are too contrasting to each other. There came a Martha vs Bianca argument and Mariah was clearly annoyed with Nicki's multiple personalities issue. One more thing that really got me, was when a very bad contestant screeched Phantom of the Opera and Nicki said "Wow! You have such range! Its bigger than Mariahs and she has the biggest range in the world! Your range is better than Mariah Careys!" Mariah gave her the 'Ish" please look and then fake laughed it off. If anything this American Idol experience will cause her to have another "Diva" public image with Nicki- but it will show her fans that she is willing to help guide this new generation of Artists- many of which the contestants that were auditioning claimed Mariah to be their vocal inspiration, whether they were good or not.
ReplyDeleteNo way!! Nicki said that comment about the range IN FRONT of Mariah!?! I need to see that! Does it seem like a legit feud, or do you think there's an element of scripting?
ReplyDelete"casual shade" lol! You guys are making me want to check it out!
ReplyDeleteStrong words my friend!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched any series, but if i were to, I think it should be this one. I think I'll def try giving the first ep a try.
ReplyDeleteI felt that a lot of the auditions were very scripted, but that moment that Nicki said that- it seemed she was having too much fun. I think it was real.
ReplyDeletethis sounds very scripted. I can't believe they're making it more about the judges than the contestants.
ReplyDeleteMariah is coming off B.A.D. #TEAMNICKI 110%
ReplyDeleteSure it's entertainment, but all over the world people have been commenting about what an awful judge Nicki Minaj is. She's funny, and, at sometimes, has a bit of an entertainment aspect to her but, idk. I was put off by the fake strangling that she motioned behind Mariah. Mariah just turned around and greeted her with a smile and Nicki went totally embarrassed and sat in her seat.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Idol isn't going to hurt anyone's careers in the slightest. Mariah is coming off pretty demure, but she does have her quirky moments and some of her shady moments that keep her more subtle but interesting. Minaj is already overstaying her welcome, judging by the comments on the first episode and, on the second episode, despite Keith leaving the panel briefly, Minaj received less of a dominance on air.
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I watched the first two episodes. I really liked it. Actually it makes me like Nicki a bit more because she's fun and cool haha. But Mariah is a far better judge, she's professional and she really knows what she's talking about. She's sometimes shady but it's a light flavor lol. She looked very diva but down to earth at the same time. I think it will help her image when people will see that she's also sweet and compassionate.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emzu8MUqDzA This made me laugh I literally cried @divadevotee:disqus check this out
ReplyDeleteNicki and Randy have no place being on that panel. I have grown to love Nicki over the past 2-and-a-half years, but she has never proven that she deserves to be a judge for a vocal competition. Randy seems like a fairly knowledgeable musician, but he has no real singing credentials. That being said, I feel that Mariah has demonstrated the same immature, catty behavior that has been reported about her for years. (As a longtime supporter of Christina Aguilera, I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't like to see public opinion of Mariah take a hit as people see how she interacts with others. The way she has allegedly treated Christina, who grew up as a major fan of Mariah, is just despicable.) Yes, she can comment on singing better than nearly any other celebrity musician, but she also seems to have poor character.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see American Idol do the responsible thing and hire a panel of all professional, classically-trained singers with vocal performance degrees from major music schools--particularly faculty from Juilliard, Eastman, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, etc. Those people would be the greatest asset to the singing and general music education of the competitors on the show, as well as for the viewers. Unfortunately, it's all about the ratings--especially on a major network like FOX--so celebrities are really the only option, as far as the network is concerned. Entertainment can still be informative. I'm just disappointed that Nicki was selected for that panel. Yes, I like her, and no, she has not exactly conducted herself with admirable integrity. Those observations aside, an actual noteworthy singer should have been selected for that panel in Nicki's place. Perhaps it says something about our culture's current standards for "singers" that it is so hard for a show like American Idol to find more than two qualified singers for their show.
If you want a judge like Mariah on the show, you probably have to agree to promote her. It's a privilege to have her on the panel, judging you. I would love being judged by the one of the greatest voices in history, even if the show became all about her.
ReplyDeleteThe way Xtina behaves around Mariah (e.g. party crashing, shading, and dissing her so called "inspiration") is pretty despicable too.
ReplyDeleteI don't comment on here to get in pointless online fights with people. It's very telling that out of everything I typed, that particular section is what moved you to comment.
ReplyDeleteWhere did I try to start a fight? You attempt to make Mariah Carey look bad, and I defend my idol. Of course that's telling. I'm a lamb. What else did you expect me to do, write a long comment about why I disagree with everything you said? Reality check: I don't give a crap about anything in your comment other than the perceived insult in regards to my idol.
ReplyDeleteThe way in which you are responding to me is just very telling. I don't see how you could read what you have written and not sense combative undertones. Trust me, I have my criticisms of Mariah *and* Christina. I understand why people love Mariah. That's totally fine. I would never try to tell you that you *can't* love Mariah. The thing is, some "battles" just aren't worth it, RK. I'm going to get back to practicing Libby Larsen's Dancing Solo now. I've got shit to do! I've got no more time for Christina and Mariah!
ReplyDeleteYou can't just take my tone and claim that I try to start a fight. I have a confrontational nature; everything I say will sound aggressive.
ReplyDeleteBut anyways, yeah. No one needs to get hurt with the shrapnel from the nuclear war that would undoubtedly result from a fight between a diehard lamb and a Xtina stan.
I don't think only ''qualified'' singers are capable of judging vocalists.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, in the end any singer will have to find an audience. And whether they end up selling like Mariah or just enough to live from ....I doubt it will be only ''qualified singers'' paying to listen.
And I also doubt that audience will hold the same standard for what is a good singer.
I have seen fans from Swift to Carey defend their favorite's vocal qualities. ;-)
Can't say I thought your ''tone'' was aggressive at all. Seems rather to be matter of fact
ReplyDeleteBut then again...that might be because mine is a pretty confrontational ( by some standards) nature as well.
I didn't think so either, but I thought, "If people see it that way..."
ReplyDeleteI am not so sure as to whether it will damage her career but what I will say is out of all the judges her advice I would be taking more seriously than the rest. Nobody is or has been so 'in the know' about the workings of the human voice than Mariah and she seems to be giving constructive criticism to those she feels might have something...I would rather take that on board than have someone like Minaj just trying to turn you into some generic flesh flashing piece of crumpet...
ReplyDeleteI think (And hope) that folks will watch this and see Mariah for who she actually is, smart, warm, funny and incredibly intelligent...as for Minaj...don't get me started....
I think this girls audition was tampered with. She has a youtube channel and her singing sounds wayyy better on her channel than it did on AI. There really are some people who are made to sound bad on television. She probably still wouldnt have made it in since her voice is classical sounding but she doesnt sound like a shreeking banshee like on this clip...
ReplyDeleteShe sounds decent on her own videos, but on the AI clip she sounded horrible, you're right.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean we can no longer trust these shows? Does it?? Does it??
LOL you can ponder that question during the ''made for tv'' swearing in of the US president. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere are actually several in depth American Idol auditioners (many of which who are already trained musicians to begin with) that report having their auditions tampered with, or they are told they want them to sing badly on purpose. Apparently you are determined to be in on the show by the very first audition you go to (there are several rounds of producer auditions before you even hit the celebrity judges). If the producers want you in- then they make sure your in. If the producers think itll be funny to humiliate you on television then they are legally able to go to extreme lengths to make you sound awful. Most of the judges reactions arent even filmed at the time of the audition. A lot of the show is fabrication. I hear Opera singers get the worst of it though since Opera singing isnt mainstream, they get tampered with the most or are just told to leave. Its quite awful, but all shows are like this (maybe not going to lengths such as tampering but they do let awful people in on purpose). This is why im so afraid to audition for anything like idol lol.
ReplyDeleteOh, pffft, there goes my dream of getting voice lessons, becoming famous on idol, and meeting those that I stan for.
ReplyDelete//cries in a corner.
Lol most of the auditions arent even shown though. DONT GEEV UP BECUZ OF EVIL PEOPLE. I think im gonna work up the nerve to go this summer...god help me.
ReplyDeleteOh dear lord.....I am traumatized...
ReplyDeleteSure, she can't sing, but isn't it harsh to call her talentless? She might not be able to sing, but she can certainly rap. Mariah herself certainly thought so, or else their collaboration would not have come into existence.
ReplyDeleteThat's gonna take a lot of working up since you already expressed fear for my opinion over the internet.
ReplyDeleteBut if you want it so much, I truly hope you will find the nerve Brian. And that they will be as gentle but honest as, in spite of what you think, I would be Brian. :-)
And I say that without any sarcasm or negativity. Whether you believe it or not, if you can sing, I hope you can make a career out of it.
It's certainly not damaging her voice, DivaDevotee! Just look at this vocal range contemplation
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaRJ3i1z794
... who said it would???
ReplyDeletecompilation* whatever the word is. i just got my wisdom teeth removed, on heavy medication, etc. shame on me for my misspellings.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't have poor character. It's clear she plays up the diva image for laughs but off the camera she's a very personable person, several people have commented on this. And xtina is less than saintly when it comes to dealing with other artists. If you wanna focus on someone that treats her badly, why not start with Pink than Mariah, who has explicitly insulted Xtina multiple times?
ReplyDeleteBesides, from the general reports, Christina crashed Mariah's - who has had several trust violations in the past because of her ex-husband literally asking producers to spy on her for him - party. I think she would have every right to be angry at her for that. It's kinda pointless to show off one side of the story when you clearly ignore the other lol.
I JUST WANTED TO SHOW OFF THE VIDEO OKAY?? I'm proud of her displaying Xtina's entire studio vocal range (and beyond) within the first three weeks of the new year!!
ReplyDeleteThen just say that lol.
ReplyDeleteShe hits the notes, but doesn't her tone sound... scratchy and harsh?
I was trying to make it vaguely relevant, ok?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so, personally. Her voice sounds a lot healthier and smoother than it was in Morocco. Her Eb5s got a tad scratchy, but the e5s were relatively smooth. It doesn't sound harsh, but it does sound a tad raspy which is par the course for her since 2010.
The point of my post was not to say Christina is a saint and Mariah is terrible. That was in parentheses for a reason. You are clearly a Mariah fan. Hats off to you. I'm not trying to get into a catty fan feud over these two artists. As I have mentioned before, I have my criticisms about Christina. If these popular artists would have seriously studied singing and gone to music school (preferably for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in vocal performance), they would be better singers and [probably] learn some much-needed humility. I want these artists to be better-educated. Arguing about who is the better singer or who is more condescending or what-have-you is as pointless as it is a waste of time. I don't have time for this. I'm done. Peace-out.
ReplyDeleteWell, Mariah is technically better, with more expertise when it comes to singing healthily. Remember, her mother was an opera singer.
ReplyDeleteMariah is certainly much more knowledgeable about singing and singing technique than nearly all (if not all) popular music singers alive today. I don't doubt that. I'm sure her mother's knowledge of singing influenced her understanding greatly. That being said, her mother was not a major opera singer performing full-time with any of the leading opera companies of the world, nor did she attend any of the elite music schools in the country. The disparity between the ends of the "opera singer spectrum" is quite large. (It's similar to the "classically-trained" label. There's being classically-trained, there's being classically-trained to the highest, cut-throat, unforgiving professional standards, and there's everything in-between.)
ReplyDeleteIt would benefit Mariah (and all singers, truly) to study under some of the elite opera singers of the world. Knowledge is power, no human being is ever finished with learning, and no musician is ever finished with honing his/her talent. As much as I have no desire to perpetuate this comparison between Christina and Mariah, I will say that I absolutely have strong criticisms of Christina. Over the last 2 years, in particular, she has made me very upset with how far she frequently is from using her voice to its best ability. She is another in a sea of pop singers who could seriously benefit from some intensive study with a proper mentor. Despite the fact that I don't care for the show, I am pleased that Mariah Carey is on that panel because it marks the first time that American Idol has had someone anywhere near Mariah's expertise as a judge.
http://m.jezebel.com/5978546/nicki-minaj-storms-off-idol-because-mariahs-so-fucking-annoying mariah being slated in the article and comments.
ReplyDeleteI didnt say she sounded amazing but she definitely sounds wayyy better than she did on Tv.
ReplyDeletenicki is there for ratings
ReplyDeleteand while mariah may not be as critical as we would hope, we atleast know she has the knowledge and skill required to be a judge
plus nicki minaj just has an unpleasant personality
I think this is a class of old hollywood *the voice* and new hollywood *the beast*
ReplyDelete