(no subject)

[meserach.livejournal.com]

So I was watching a music channel earlier today and heard a particular artist (whom I won't name for fear of biasing the poll) described as the "Queen of Pop". And I thought, woah, when did we decide that?

SO before I say more, let's hear your answers off the top of your head. Note for all questions it is also acceptable to posit that there is no current incumbent (or that their are contesting claims to a throne, or even that there's some sort of civil war going on or something depending on how far you like to extend you metaphors):

[Poll #1667934]

My personal take below the cut:



MJ, the undisputed King of Pop, is now dead of course, and to my mind there is no current unproblematic claimant to his throne. Kanye West would probably be the strongest claimant, but he of course turned the title down on the basis that no one man should have all that power.

The Queen of Pop, and given the lack of a current King, hence the reigning monarch of Pop, is surely Beyonce, nee Princess of R&B. Her ascension to the throne of Pop forms the final act of union between the kingdoms of Pop and R&B, which had been merging slowly for the past few decades anyway. Her marriage to Jay-Z, current King of Hip-Hop, seems in this light a strategic marriage.

(This makes Madonna, erstwhile Queen of Pop prior to the demise of the House of Jackson, the Queen Mother of Pop, which suits her perfectly.)

(The Lady Gaga is of course from a rival House (should that be Haus?) and another contender from the queendom; but so far the rivalry has been kept in check with clever and boshing diplomacy)

Rihanna is the Princess of Pop and, (provided the necessary Pop Constitutional changes eliminating the male preference goes through) first in line to the throne. (And you can tell Jay-Z is proud of his princess, too!)

There are various Princes of Pop, but all are unsuitable as future Kings for one reason or another. Prince Justin no longer seems interested, Prince Beiber is popular but too young to rule....

Comments

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

I would cast Britney as the loony-bin Queen of Pop still on the long road to abdication. Or did she effectively abdicate c. 2006-7 to the ascending Beyonce? A compelling argument, anyway. I'd argue that J-Timb is still the Prince.

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

And yes, Madonna as Queen Mum makes perfect sense.

[meserach.livejournal.com]

Britney was definitely Princess of Pop pre-breakdown, but I can't see her as ever having been the Queen; she never had that sort of stature or presence, y'know? Beyonce is totally a Queen, she has the imperiousness required.

Prince J-Timb needs to shape up if he's ever gonna be King. An new album of his own would be a nice start!

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

Then again, if Beyonce is Queen of Pop, wouldn't that make Jay-Z King by default? Which relegates Kanye to moody Prince (Hamlet?) and Riri remains princess.

[meserach.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, no! Note for instance that the current wife of our "queen regnant" Elizabeth II is not styled "King Phillip" but is instead "Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh".

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

Shows what I know about royalty :( The closest we get to royalty in the U.S. is...y'know, pop stars. (And sometimes the president, though not really.)

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

I'd rather proclaim someone as queen who's made an album in the last two years! I understand that Beyonce has got another one due out at some point this year, but I approx. 1% as excited about that as about the idea of MOAR GAGA.

[edgeofwhatever.livejournal.com]

I have no answers for this poll, but my immediate reaction to your first paragraph was, "Britney. No, it wouldn't be that shocking if it was Britney. GaGa."

THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS. BRITNEY. GAGA.

[meserach.livejournal.com]

I can now reveal that the person described as Queen on the music channel I watched was actually RiRi. My immediate shocked "nuh-uh, she's the PRINCESS" to an empty room inspired this post!

I can totally see GaGa as the new Queen after the upcoming War of the Roses-style conflict due between her and Bouncy.

[koganbot]

Ha, I put RiRi, but added "by default."

[koganbot]

And of course Taylor has been accused of making "Princess Pop," which certainly puts her in the running for that one.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

MJ, the undisputed King of Pop

I disputed it!