 Ke$ha attends the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto, June 20. / AP-Yonhap |
Staff reporter
Blonde, blue eyes, a sweet smile and a distinctive voice easily translates into a formula for a pop princess. But when it comes to personality, American singer Ke$ha is all about being different.
Instead of sexy pink outfits, perfect makeup and gorgeous hair, Ke$ha dons animal prints and glitter, dark eye makeup (usually smeared) and matted blonde hair.
``Garbage chic'' was how she explained her overall look during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The 23-year-old released her first single ``Tik Tok'' in late 2009 and her studio album ``Animal'' early this year. ``Tik Tok'' reached No.1 in 11 countries, becoming the longest running No.1 debut single by a female artist since 1977.
The song also skyrocketed in online music charts here, and she has now become one of the hottest and trendiest young singers in Korea, with the eyes of young, hip local fans on her every move.
The tracks on her album, including the hit ``Tik Tok,'' ``Blah Blah Blah'' and ``Take it Off,'' were made based on her adventures, and it seems the wackier the episode, the better the song.
The song ``Take it Off'' was written after she visited a transgender bar in Los Angeles' Korea Town.
``I just have fun going out and I write about any inspiring experience I have, so I went to a transgender bar in L.A. and thought it was so inspiring that I did write a song about it,'' she said in an email interview with The Korea Times.
``I saw men (that) looked like (women) and it was really confusing but really fun, I'm a big supporter of any kind of lifestyle, so I just thought I might write a song about it,'' she added.
Categorizing her music as ``trash-glam-pop-electro,'' Ke$ha knows exactly why so many people follow and enjoy her music. It is basically the same reason why she is pursuing her career.
``I think people like my music because it is just really fun. It is unapologetically fun. It's a celebration record. I'm young now and I just want to capture the essence of crazy fun youth, so hopefully people like the fact that it's just fun, period. And I also wrote every song on my record and I feel like it's a very honest (one). I don't beat around the bush too much,'' she said.
 The cover of Ke$ha's album ``Animal.'' / Courtesy of Sony BMG |
Like any other artist in the industry, she has been influenced by some great bands and soloists, but she never let them completely overpower her music, which resulted in that ``trash-glam-pop-electro'' genre of hers.
``I like a lot of different kinds of music; I've actually been influenced by so many different genres of music. I love the Pixies, probably my favorite band. Also the Beastie Boys who's been hugely influential to me. I think you can hear a little bit of their influence in my music. I like pop, hip hop, old school like David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. My musical influence is very broad,'' she added.
For some Korean fans, the name Ke$ha is familiar as she sang the demo for girl band Girls' Generation's hit number ``Run Devil Run.'' Avid followers of the girl band searched for information on the track via the Internet, and some eventually discovered that the demo version of it was sung by Ke$ha.
The powerful dance number was already a big hit in Korea, but many preferred Ke$ha's rough and sultry version as well, requesting that she release her own version for Korean fans.
``I love that song. I didn't know it was out in Korea but I would love to (release my version),'' she said.
Young, smart and passionate about her work, it seems the music industry has found another jewel. The only difference would be that this one is not afraid to shine Ke$ha style: chic, a bit dirty, fun and edgy.
``To all my Korean fans, thank you so much for listening to my record. I'm so excited to know that it's doing well in Korea. My schedule is so crazy but I'm sure to come to Korea. I cannot wait to come and visit. I'll see you very soon,'' Ke$ha said.
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