Supermodel of the World

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For contest see Supermodel of the World (contest)

Supermodel of the World

Studio album by RuPaul

Released

1993

Recorded

1992

Genre

Dance-pop, Hi-NRG, House music

Label

Tommy Boy Records

RuPaul chronology

Supermodel of the World

Foxy Lady

Supermodel of the World was the debut album by drag queen, dance music singer and actress RuPaul. Released in 1993 on Tommy Boy Records, it peaked at #109 on the Billboard 200. Its instant (and unexpected) popularity amongst all types of people triggered the ascent of RuPaul to celebrity status. Before the release of the album RuPaul was a known name mostly for being the only drag queen supermodel (thus the album's name.) The first single from the album, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", was a huge club and dance hit that achieved gold sales status. The video clip for the song was put into heavy rotation on MTV; this was a huge surprise to RuPaul and her record label as, at the time, the music being heavily played on MTV was grunge and rock and roll. The album was reissued on Rhino Records.

The album's songs take many of the trends and colloquialisms of the drag queen and gay subcultures and turns them into dance, disco and house tracks. "House of Love" is an all-encompassing anthem of acceptance of all people. "Back to My Roots" is a play on words, referring both to ethnic heritage and to hairstyles. "A Shade Shady" references what was, at the time, a popular catch phrase in the gay community. (Someone who is "Shady" is untrustworthy; though obviously not exclusive to gay people, in the early 90's the term was extremely prevalent in gay slang.)

The track "Supermodel (You Better Work)" featured a guest spoken-word vocal contribution by legendary black actress LaWanda Page (best known as Aunt Esther on the television program Sanford and Son). The song's chorus also featured RuPaul saying the phrase "Sashay! Shante!" When asked what it meant to "shante," RuPaul replied that it means "to weave a bewitching spell" but actually it originates from the documentary "Paris is Burning".

Black actress/comedienne LaWanda Page was featured in spoken word clips on a variety of tracks on the record. She is heard most notably on the hit single Supermodel (You Better Work), and she appeared in a variety of music videos from the album. A special mix of Supermodel entitled The LaWanda in Your Face Mix appeared on a CD single. The album also includes the subsequent hit singles, "Back To My Roots" and "A Shade Shady (Now Prance)."