Why was it called “Dope vocals”

[Maxine Puth 9,053]

I remember in the ARTPOP era everyone would talk about the infamous “Dope vocals” but I’m genuinely confused as to what made it stand out so much. Is it just because of the deeper vocals? Or something I’m not getting 

[tomsches 17,371]

I still don't know what's meant by Dope vocals.

[ChaosP456 93]

Does it really have to do with the song, or rather with the famous expression "that's some dope sh**"? 

[Werewoof 2,460]

I think, and I can be mistaken, Dope was the song where Gaga’s new way of singing was most prevalent. I’ve also heard it referred to as the “Koons Voice” for the ARTPOP era vocals. It’s a marker of a transition from when she started using her more mature vocals over her more higher pitched ones (like in The Fame). 
could be 100% wrong though!

[Maxine Puth 9,053]

1 minute ago, ChaosP456 said:

Does it really have to do with the song, or rather with the famous expression "that's some dope sh**"? 

No it was the song

[Controversiaga 10,298]

yes ARTPOP in general is an era where you can hear a shift in her vocal technique.  a more formal and rounded sound, raised soft palette, 

she started working on her jazz sound and just took on a more classical & legit style of singing.

[Maxine Puth 9,053]

4 minutes ago, RihBeyGa said:

yes ARTPOP in general is an era where you can hear a shift in her vocal technique.  a more formal and rounded sound, raised soft palette, 

she started working on her jazz sound and just took on a more classical & legit style of singing.

 

6 minutes ago, Dirty Diana said:

I think, and I can be mistaken, Dope was the song where Gaga’s new way of singing was most prevalent. I’ve also heard it referred to as the “Koons Voice” for the ARTPOP era vocals. It’s a marker of a transition from when she started using her more mature vocals over her more higher pitched ones (like in The Fame). 
could be 100% wrong though!

See that makes sense I think… I guess it’s just weird how a lot of people referred to it specifically as Dope vocals when she used it throughout the album (and even before, I’d say Stache has that same tone too)

[Defmix100 6,232]

Just now, JustDance1122 said:

 

See that makes sense I think… I guess it’s just weird how a lot of people referred to it specifically as Dope vocals when she used it throughout the album (and even before, I’d say Stache has that same tone too)

I've never thought about stache like that before, I think a closer comparison would maybe be the Mary Jane Holland bridge.

But it's good to listen to the I Wanna Be With You demo vs Dope to hear to different vocal style

[Werewoof 2,460]

5 minutes ago, JustDance1122 said:

 

See that makes sense I think… I guess it’s just weird how a lot of people referred to it specifically as Dope vocals when she used it throughout the album (and even before, I’d say Stache has that same tone too)

It is a little weird! I think it’s probably specifically dope since the song is so stripped back and her vocals are much more raw and front and center 

[Oriane 20,548]

Good, deep, raw, emotional vocals, no idea why people prefer the high-pitched, poppy, fun sound.

[AnglerfishbraBENUS 5,734]

technically all she really is doing is covering/ darkening the tone, using more classical vowel colors and using placement towards the back of her throat. 

[Obobo 2,971]

Listen to I Wanna Be With You live from the iTunes festival (the first version of Dope). She sang in her known "pop" voice some even said it sounded close to her "Stefani" era vocals (especially the chorus) then she was forced to change because sad ballads were in. Then with the "Dope" we have now we have the complete opposite of I Wanna Be With You - raw dark and low.

[djBuffoon 12,098]

It was meant to signify a change in her vocals from 2013-2018 where she started adopting this dark and almost operatic style. Lots of open vowels, low larynx, and an almost slurred annunciation. I honestly never liked it, too unnatural of an affectation, but she dropped it for A Star is Born and hasn't really done it since.

[Robo Ga 15,279]

It’s a much throatier register in her voice, more guttural and operatic. She debuted the sound at the first performance of Dope / I Wanna Be With You for VEVO or iTunes I believe? And it became the signature marker of that vocal styling because up until then, she hadn’t sung like that. These days she seems to blend that sound more with her traditional pop styling of vocal, but at the time it was jarring because it was quite a departure from her previous sound on piano ballads

[Ladle Ghoulash 20,332]

1 hour ago, AnglerfishbraBENUS said:

technically all she really is doing is covering/ darkening the tone, using more classical vowel colors and using placement towards the back of her throat. 

Come thru vocal knowledge!