On Dance Music and Divas

Through this Polar Vortex, divas are still heating up NYC dancefloors according to the Billboard Dance/Club chart end-dated February 1st. And who's absolutely on fire? None other than Scary Spice herself, Mel B, who flares up from last week's 22nd spot to this week's 13th with "For Once in My Life," a brilliant, uplifting and energetic new number.

Cher also blazes ahead, now at #2 with "Take It Like a Man," the second huge hit, after "Woman's World," off her new album. Seems gender is a hot ticket lately. Let's see if it trounces Demi Lovato's "Neon Lights" from the #1 roost next outing.

Last week's #1, Deborah Cox's "Higher," simmers in the 11th position. And club queen Kristine W pulls off a fairly rare event by moving back up the chart. This hot number radiated enough interest to take it from 19th place to 17th. It's been on the chart for 11 weeks and peaked in 2nd place.

Lady Gaga's "Do What U Want," from the new ArtPop album, is upwardly mobile in the 9th spot. The last time we looked, it was #11.

Meanwhile, PrideSource recently asked none other than the divine Patti Labelle about divahood. I love what she had to say in her interview with Chris Azzopardi. Here is that portion of their interview: For you, what does it mean to be a diva? [Patti:] That word is used so loosely that I don't even consider myself a diva. I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who gives 120 percent. "Diva" is a word that I wouldn't wanna call myself because it's so loosely used. It's not cute anymore. Is there a negative connotation to it now? Yeah, because all these little heifers who can't sing are called divas! It doesn't mean anything to me and probably to some of the other ladies who have been doing it for as long as I have: Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick. You know, I'm speaking for me - I don't know if they like to be called divas - but I know I wouldn't call them divas, because it's not in good company. But it used to be a respectable term at some point. Well, for opera singers, and for ladies who earned it, but that was way, way back when. Now you can look up to them, but you might not see what you wanna see. A hot mess! People who are doing it and doing it with about 40 people on stage with them to hide their pitifulness - that's not a word, but you know what I mean.

And so, until next time, m dance music diva lovers, Dj Buddy Beaverhausen says keep warm and embrace your inner heifer. Uhhh..., I meant your inner diva, of course!