About to Pop: Lady Gaga

July 30, 2008

Who: Lady Gaga
Album: The Fame
Video: ‘Just Dance’
Hails From: New York, N.Y.
For Fans Of: Madonna and Nicole Scherzinger

Why She’s About to Pop: At the tender age of 4, Lady Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta, learned how to play the piano by ear. By age 14, she cultivated her talent to perform in front of audiences in New York City venues. Three years later, the music prodigy gained early admission into the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. By the time she turned 20, Lady Gaga had developed a successful career penning songs for artists such as the Pussycat Dolls. And now, at age 22, this left-of-center electropop queen has infiltrated the New York City club scene with her infectious single, ‘Just Dance.’ Lady Gaga will be performing on the results show of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ on July 31 at 9 PM ET on FOX.

Three Questions with Lady GaGa:

What inspired the songs on your record?

This idea of “the fame” inspired my record. I’m fascinate with pop culture as an art form, and I wanted to make a record that struggled with “fame” as a concept. Like the pop culture icons of the 70s and 80s, I want my fans to comprehend.that fame can be self-proclaimed.

What’s your favorite song on the record?

I have three. ‘Paparazzi,’ ‘Poke Face’ and ‘Brown Eyes.’ ‘Paparazzi’ is the most articulate expression of ‘The Fame’ concept to come out of my writing, ‘Poker Face’ is a testament to my philosophy about pop (writing a commercial record with a completely artistic message), and ‘Brown Eyes’ is the most honest song on the album. I mean, really, everyone in the world has at some point fallen in love with some brown eyes.

What are the most played songs on your iPod?

Firstly, my own. I’m on tour right now, and I listen to my record over and over to inspire my performance — I think about it rehearsal for my brain. But recently I’ve been listening to a band called Crystal Castles, The Velvet Underground, the New York Dolls and I love the new Lil’ Wayne record. And because I wrote for New Children on the Block’s new album, I’ve all the new cuts and listen on repeat! Their new album is going to murder the pop scene.

Buy the album on iTunes