I can remember listening to “Poker Face" in sixth grade on my friend's trampoline everyday after school; they loved the up and coming Lady Gaga- but not I. My long 11 years had lead me down brighter paths and I never fell for the synthetic instrumentals or the lack of vocal talent displayed in Gaga's first album. Lyrics to songs like “Love Game" were all too repetitive to be meaningful, although I'm aware of her significance and support in the lesbian and gay community which seemed to be the only emotional connection to her music. Perhaps I didn't see what the others did, but I'm not sure if my 11 year old comrades could see who she would grown into either.

Gaga's interview with Barbara Walters, initially after her explosion of fame, documents her stating “I always wanted to be a performer". That is exactly what she was, for many years; from the infamous meat dress, to her arrival via egg shell on the red carpet, Gaga claims she wanted to liberate others who identified with her feeling “like a freak" in her youth. Although Gaga's idea of liberation may have also come off as attention seeking, and purely for financial gain what she was truly hiding was a voice that would one day fill a generational gap and perhaps skew the current path of modern music and the assault on the celebrity.

Through Lady Gaga's obscure persona it was as if she refused to be a victim of the paparazzi by enjoying and feeding the enthrallment of the media every time she made an appearance, sort of a Miley Cyrus-esque sensation (any press is good press). I question, is feeding the “beast" of fame truly controlling it? If you care so much as to wear a “meat dress" to an award show in order to make headlines in the media are you not subsequently acting as a victim of the media? She might have thought that she was in control but Lady G was ultimately another player in the money making industry that is the exploitation of celebrities.

(what the hell is this?)

Recently, everything has changed.

With the aid of a jazz legend, Tony Bennett, Gaga's true musical talents and vocal abilities have made a revival no one saw coming. If you haven't heard the duo's latest album release “Cheek to Cheek" you need to catch up. Prior to listening to this album I'd been somewhat aware of her attendance at NYU's Tisch school and her accomplishments as a singer but never did I expect to hear what I heard from Gaga on this album. Her voice is truly timeless, she is the epitome of Old Hollywood talent and her vocals are as raw and unique as they are perfect. Lady G gathered her very young and modern following typically accustomed to electronically orchestrated music and collided it with a world of Jazz. Alas, we have been graced with music that is as likable to our parents as it is to ourselves, and it is my hope that an appreciation for true ability and vocal talent will resurrect throughout younger generations. The lack of genuine talent in young celebrities is frightening- literally, anyone who can hold a tune and look cute could be the next "big thing". Even if an artist does have an incredible talent it's covered up by auto-tune in the hopes to sell albums and play on the radio; music is no longer made for people who appreciate it but only for people to buy and then skip over it once it's overplayed. What's going to sell to an audience who can't afford to spend time actually delving into music on an aesthetic level? Songs with no backbone, bullshit.

Had Gaga presented herself as a Jazz musician on her debut album she wouldn't likely have achieved the same level of fame she has now.

When did auto-tuned voices and technological beats become more appealing than the authenticity of another human voice and the real time playing of an instrument?

Thank God for Lady G and the impact she is currently making on the music industry and I hope desperately that other artists follow suit and showcase their talents rather than banking on inhuman celebrity personas.

Here's a piece of genius for you all!