00:06They were one of the most talked about musical acts of all time. This dynamic duo would create
00:13shockwaves across the nation, turning the music world upside down. But how did they manage such
00:19an epic feat after all? Let's take a look back at the controversy that made this one-hit wonder
00:25so massive. As the new millennium rolled around, the introduction of edgy content began to have a
00:31surge in the mainstream. Raunchy television shows pushed the boundaries of the FCC rules
00:37and talk radio shopjarks were on the rise. Even when it came to video games, many companies
00:43started publishing mature-rated titles. Oftentimes in the past, some major news outlets made attempts
00:50to shine a light on the latest trends that could be deemed too provocative for the general public to
00:56consume. In many cases their plan backfires, and more intrigue is created as a result of the negative
01:02coverage. And that would be the case when the Russian girl group Tattoo arrived on the scene.
01:09Back when most music labels attempted to manufacture bands to increase their revenue potential.
01:16They would hand-pick talent, assign them a specific personality, create their style,
01:21and also write most of their songs. The forced engineering often made their talent into a nice
01:27palatable package that would often attract hordes of consumers. There were two young singers out of
01:33Russia that were being primed to be the next big pop stars following this format.
01:55The creative minds behind the group came up with a unique marketing strategy that would grab attention.
02:01The two were often dressed as private school girls, and they were given a salacious theme as well.
02:07There were noticeable undertones of romance in their music, an attraction for one another.
02:13While the duo could sing fairly well, their talent would take a backseat to the imagery more times than
02:19not. This rather suggestive tactic worked wonders as the duo released their debut album,
02:25which became a big hit in many overseas countries.
02:28Soon after the initial success, the album was reworked for a United States release,
02:34and the rest would be history. The girls made their introduction to America at a time when same-sex
02:40relationships were seen as taboo and not widely accepted among the general public. Tattoo would
02:46drop their debut single playing up to the schoolgirl, lesbian theme for their new audience.
02:52The music video showcased forbidden love taking place between the pair dressed in their school girl
02:57uniforms. A judgmental crowd added another layer to the music video as they watched on with disapproval
03:04of the girls' romantic choices. The aesthetics along with the catchy chorus made the video one of the
03:10most requested on MTV and other music-based networks. With the influx of attention the suggestive video was
03:18receiving, it didn't take very long for the controversy to brew. The mainstream news media held heated debates,
03:25discussing if this was inappropriate for young audiences.
03:30The competitive world of pop, that there is no such thing as bad publicity. So as Tattoo continue to
03:36provoke a storm of protest, their single is so massively outselling every other right now,
03:41that it seems a certainty to reach the number one spot on Sunday.
03:45The group was gaining more attention than they could have ever imagined in the states.
03:50Regardless of all the negative publicity surrounding the two,
03:54the music video became a massive hit for the group.
03:57People are always asking me why not have more hot Russian teenage lesbian pop stars on the show.
04:03All right ladies, you have our permission, you have the blessing of the Walt Disney Corporation to do
04:09whatever you want on the stage. Performing their hit, all the things she said from the album
04:13200 kilometers per hour in the wrong lane. Here is Tattoo.
04:20Tattoo would release more follow-up singles, which continued to showcase the theme of forbidden love
04:25and how the world was supposedly against them. Although their debut album went on to sell over a million
04:32copies, and also cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in the states. Unfortunately for them, over time the
04:39masses became desensitized to what once invoked all the intrigue. The shock factor slowly, but surely
04:45began to fade with each single they released. The group would continue to make music, but it wouldn't
04:51reach the same heights in popularity as it once did. But thanks to their earlier projects,
04:56the Tattoo duo still remains one of Russia's most successful music acts of all time.
05:02But what are your thoughts on this story? Were you a Tattoo fan? Are you shocked they generated so
05:09much backlash with their unique approach to gain attention? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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