Icons are everywhere!

An icon is someone who makes an effort. Art makes an effort. Therefore art is an icon. Marilyn Monroe was and is an icon and a work of art as well. Hence Marilyn Monroe and art have a nature in common. Icon - Art - Marilyn is iconic.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Icon Art Awards 2013 - Music and Music Videos


As 2013 only has a few more days to go, we are all still in some sort of a food coma from the christmas feast, new years eve is coming nearer and nearer (And most of us still don`t have any idea what to do on this eve!) one thing is as well left to do for 2013: looking back and crowning what has been good, and shading what is to be shaded!




Oh and friends believe me, there is plenty of lorries to give and shade to spill! Today we will start off the series with the category of music and music videos, as it is the largest as well. Tomorrow, on the 28th you will get the categories of Movies and TV, on the 29th you will get Art and Fashion  and on the 30th I will give you the honorees and "honorees" of the LGBT IQA category! So lets start the feast! Shall we?

The Sound of 2013 – “We Can’t Stop” & “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus

No one, literally no one could escape the hype that was “We Cant Stop” and “Wrecking Ball” in 2013. You can discuss whether they are good pop songs but not to be doubted they dominated airplay, the download charts and our playlists. And besides that the music videos for both songs, which have proven to be provocative enough, have certainly added to the buzz surrounding Miley’s album “BANGERZ”. So the sound of 2013 is definitely made by, having “tongue-stick-out-itis”, Miley Cyrus.


Best Song With a Message 2013 – “Hard Out Here” by Lily Allen & “Same Love” by Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary J. Lambert

As 2013 has seen so many negatives it was so refreshing to hear two songs that clearly were aiming for the different side of the pond: protest, waking us up and giving a socially relevant message. A clear decision was not easy to make so the award goes out to two songs. Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mart Lambert definitely raised awareness for a topic close to many LGBT IQA members: same sex marriage and the acceptance of love. On the other hand Lily Allen and her ironically twisted come back single “Hard Out Here” gave us feminism behind a huge slam of irony and criticism. Touché douchebags and applause to our women!

Best Pop Song 2013 – “Artpop” by Lady Gaga

Long have we been waiting for Lady Gaga to release some new music and when “ARTPOP” finally came out I immediately fell in love with the title track as it depicts the rawness of a heartfelt track, the mystical lyrics of a hymn, the electronic beats of a modern song, the aura of a favorite track and the overall perfection of a hit song.


Best Hip Hop Song 2013 – “Change Your Life” by Iggy Azalea

Iggy has been a newcomer in the scene for a while but instead of ranting on Twitter and everywhere else like Azealia Banks, Iggy focuses of music and her artistry and releases stuff like “Change Your Life” that really is great music. Definitely a great hip-hop track and one of the best numbers of the year.

Best Rock Song 2013 – “Aviation High” by Semi Precious Weapons

Rock has always been a side thing for me since I am not that much into real heavy rock music. But Semi Precious Weapons, with their glam rock style of music, have really hit the nail with their song “Aviation High” this year. A great rock song that features slow elements, great rock star lyrics and that glam rock identity that they have presented to us on their first record. They might have changed their style a little but still are my favorite rock band.


Song of Effort 2013 – “Walking On Air” by Katy Perry

You know that I have not been a huge fan of Katy Perry’s album Prism but a few songs on there are good and “Walking On Air” has really been a good musical addition to 2013. So it had to be on this list and, even though its not one of the best records, there has been a huge effort invested into this song. So give it a listen.

Best Pop Album 2013 – “ARTPOP” by Lady Gaga

“ARTPOP” was promised to be a reinvention of what we know of Lady Gaga’s music and persona. All though it might not be as revolutionary as she intended it to be it definitely shows a growth of her as an artist and musician. The album is less commercial, more experimental, less mainstream and very versatile in its sounds and the genres it crosses (Even if overall it is to be labeled as electronic dance music and synth pop.). “ARTPOP” came along with an app and proved itself to be a “reverse warholian” experience as puts the art onto the soup can and not the soup can into art, as Warhol once did.

Best Hip Hop Album 2013 – “Matangi” by M.I.A.

M.I.A. really made an effort on this album that is not matched by any other artist as she really showed that hip-hop and rap music is so much more then what we are used to. This album impressively shows the fusion between modern music and electronic influences with the sounds and ideas of oriental music. Besides her lyrical genius we get whet we were promised: good hip-hop.

Best Rock Album 2013 – “Modern Vampires of the City” by Vampire Weekend

“Modern Vampires Of The City” definitely is not one of the “lalala-sing-along-feel good” albums. It is more of well executed and produced big city music with a modest touch of melancholy, apathy and despair. But not in a soul sucking manner but much more a grown up version of fears and desires in the surrounding of the hub called mega city. Imagine German big city poetry meets rock band philosophers.

Album of Efforts 2013-  “Trouble” by Natalia Kills

This one is definitely a great album and had chances to snatch the title for best pop album. But it has not been THE best pop album, but one of the best pop records. So lets give it the honor and say that “Trouble” is one of the albums that keeps the promise that it title give. Really an anthem for trouble makes, misunderstood people, problem kids and creative minds.

Male Artist of the Year – David Bowie

Ziggy Stardust might be dead for a while already but David Bowie has come back once more to bless rock music with his talent and with his energy, charisma and ideas. His latest effort, the album “The Next Day”, really is what good rock music is about and David has proven that he still is able to turn it out like hell!

Female Artist of the Year – P!nk

P!nk has always been a strong and independent woman, she struts her stuff musical wise and acrobatic wise as well as a PETA activist, mother, feminist, gay and lesbian icon and idol for her fans. Her music and performance certainly have raised the bar on what to expect from a great performer and original creator and musician. And even better: P!nk does not take herself too seriously.

Best Newcomer Male – Steve Grand

Steve Grand is an absolute newcomer and what makes him extra special is not his body of a hunk, his amazing voice and his gorgeous face, cause many others share these qualities, but more the fact that he is the first openly gay and proud country musician that features same sex desires, love and struggles in his songs. And besides that he really is hot and has a gorgeous voice.

Best Newcomer Female– Sky Ferreira

Sky is not a real newcomer in the classic sense but she is in the sense that her debut album was just released this year, and never before has melancholy sounded any more beautiful. But not in the Lana Del Rey pop America idea but rather in a rock, alternative way with a twist of rebellion and double entendres towards anything.

Best Newcomer Group or Duo – Icona Pop

Just when you thought that David Guetta and Will.I.Am had ruined everything that was electronic music these two girls made their jump onto the scene and proved that good electronic music does (A) not have to be generic and (B) can have some smart lyrics. And their anthem “I Love It” made sure we all had a song to dance, sing and freak out along in the club as we screamed stuff like “I am a 90´s bitch!”, which practically counts for myself so “I don´t care, I love it!”

Comeback of the Year - Cher with “Closer To The Truth”

Lord! She had us gagging! (But that wig at her “The Voice” performance was awful! Sorry Cher!) And we were having it when “Woman’s World” graced our ears. And when the album finally came out it was pure heaven. She gave us 50 Shades of Cher that brought us closer to the truth of good music as she might not dominate but not gives a fuck on chart positions. The album clearly shows that she is the head bitch in charge and gave us Cher at her “cher-est”.

Best Music Video 2013 – “Applause” by Lady Gaga

Well, well, well. That one was pretty obvious. All though not as legendary as her “Bad Romance” video (And lets be honest here: Gaga has set the level so unbe-weav-ably high with this video that she made it hard to surpass herself!) Applause is easily the best video of the year as it features gaga-esque dancing; fashion and hurricane of references that pop culture obsessed people can fight about. Long story short: she pissed on that competition, and they applauded. Naturally.

WTF Music Video 2013 – “Candy Yum Yum” by Kevin Mikal

There is that certain moment when you ask yourself weather you watch porn or music videos, and this one definitely had me thinking what I was watching. It turned out to be a music video with gay men dancing as if they were female strippers and I thought: “Well females have to dance like that in all the videos, lets put it under equality and gay body desire!”, but judge for yourself!

WTF Music Moment 2013 – Beyoncé surprise releases “BEYONCE”

Lets put it the following: When Beyoncé dropped her album without any promo on I-Tunes and PISSED OFF, PEED ON and SHADED the competition, broke the internet and set all the gays on fire she ensured that from that day on album releases will be measured in “Beyoncé’s”. Bow down bitches!

Most Annoying Song 2013 – “Gentleman” by Psy

I was most annoyed by “Gangam Style” last year and “Gentleman” did not really better my opinion about Psy. All though I will give it to him that he knows how to make something catchy I just dislike the song due to its generic character, stupidity and simplicity. Sorry, but ride on, cause aint no place for you here!

Should Be Forbidden Song 2013 – “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke

Have you really listened to the lyrics? Have you seen the video? Have you seen the uncensored video? I mean: really? If that is what 2013 and feminism looks like then lord, I don`t want to be living on this goddamn planet anymore! Even though the sound of it is somehow good the lyrics and the overall are so wrong. Because that is misogyny, stupidity and exploitation, and nothing else.

Most Overplayed Song 2013 – “Best Song Ever” by One Direction

God love these for or five, or whatever number they are, British teen lads with millions of fan-girls and flaming gay fan boys but lord please the song has been played more then Kim Kardashians vagina. I mean there is a limit!

Most Overrated Male Artist of 2013 – Justin Timberlake

Never really fell in love with him, his image or his music. So his comeback might be amazing for others but I was sitting back and yawned when he performed that VMA number (That was way too long!). As well: The “20/20 Experience” is not as good as people proclaim it. If you listen closely you hear 2008 in it, only a bit better polished this time. Aint nobody got time for dat!

Most Overrated Female Artist 2013 – Taylor Swift

Its not really a surprise that I put the cunt of country on here, is it? Cause when I see that woman`s face all I can think about is how much money I could have made with writing stuff about people I have broken up with…. oh, that are not that many. Well that maybe means I am not such a whore like she is. No seriously…… she probably is a hooker… uhm I meant a nice girl that makes innocent c(o)untry music.

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