Lady Gaga Biography and Origins
Burlesque with Lady Gaga and the Starlight Revue
It was 2007 when the music industry started to take notice. Her performances in a burlesque art show called Lady Gaga and the Starlight Revue got her hired as a songwriter by Interscope Records. Soon after, her vocal talent was recognized by R&B artist Akon, and she was signed to Kon Live Distribution.
Debut
Her debut album, The Fame, came out in 2008 and combined the genres of pop, dance and electronic music. The positively reviewed record peaked at number two in the U.S. and number one in several other countries. The Grammy-winning effort produced singles such as the sexually-charged “LoveGame,” and the synth-pop ballad, “Paparazzi.” But it was the international hits, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” that really turned Lady Gaga into a star.
"The Fame Monster
The singer embarked on her first, critically acclaimed headlining tour in 2009. The EP The Fame Monster came next, and that album garnered several Grammy nominations, including one for the song “Bad Romance.” The release also spawned the singles, “Telephone” and “Alejandro,” which were accompanied by controversial music videos that helped her become the first artist to reach one billion views on YouTube.
Bold Fashion Statements and Live Appearances
Lady Gaga also pushed boundaries with her live appearances and fashion statements. Prior to the start of her second concert tour, she created waves with her blood-drenched performance during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Returning to the awards ceremony in 2010, she appeared in an outfit made entirely of raw meat, and this caused a storm among animal rights organizations.
Remixes and Elton John
Also in 2010 came the release of a compilation called The Remix that featured alternate versions of her previous material. This was followed by a duet with Elton John called “Hello, Hello” that appeared in the 2011 animated film, "Gnomeo and Juliet".
"Born This Way"
Gaga’s second studio record, Born This Way, was also released in 2011. The album was a mix of electronic music melded with rock, pop and dance, and its lead single was the title track, gave Lady Gaga her first number-one on the Billboard 200.
One of A Kind
Though she is known for her music, the artist is also a philanthropist and a proponent for equal rights for gays and lesbians. And with her danceable pop songs, her flamboyant sense of style plus her extroverted on-stage image, Lady Gaga is definitely one of a kind.
