Madonna: Rebel Heart

Madonna responded to the massive leak of her unfinished demos by announcing a new album, Rebel Heart, and sharing six new tracks, which are all available to download and stream now. “I was hoping to release my new single ’Living For Love’ on Valentine’s Day with the rest of the album coming in the Spring,” she wrote in a statement on her website. “I would prefer my fans to hear completed versions of some of the songs instead of the incomplete tracks that are circulating. Please consider these six songs as an early Christmas gift.” Rebel Heart is scheduled for release on March 10th. The new songs include “Bitch I’m Madonna,” which features Nicki Minaj and sounds a lot like the rumoured collaboration between her, Diplo, and SOPHIE. The album was recorded in NY, LA and London.  Listen to all of them below. 

Rebel Heart is scheduled for release on 3/10 via Interscope.

Madonna Pulled a BEYONCE & Not Even Knowing It

An entire disc of MADONNA's new music has find it's way online early this morning!  13 full songs from Madonna's new album rumoured to be called "UNAPOLOGETIC BITCH" or "ICONIC" surfaced online and spread like wildfire all over the pop music communities.  Madonna has been in the studio for most of 2014 working on the new music. She has yet to announce the official album title or release date.  The songs that leaked were produced by AVIICI, DIPLO, NATALIA KILLS and RYAN TEDDER

We don’t know if it is the actual album or just a collection of demos but thirteen new Madonna songs leaked today. It looks like they are just demos because Madonna’s vocals are not clear and don’t seem mixed at all though. However, we decided to review the overall thing, as she is the Queen of Pop and this leak is a big event in the pop music world.

There are quite a few stunning tracks actually. Living For Love and its anthemic chorus that will remind you of the best 90s dance songs is one of them. It really is the best song of all and it will remind you of Disclosure’s singles (which can only be a good thing, right ?). It is the album’s supposed lead single and that would be the most clever choice.

Bitch, I’m Madonna and Unapologetic Bitch are really crazy-sounding (as their producer -Diplo- said a few days ago) but they actually sound so fresh and entertaining. Illuminati is also incredible and it’s nice to hear Madonna referring to her best enemy, Lady GaGa. The song’s beat is crazy and it could be a great tour opener.

There is also something that we would call a musical UFO in this album. Indeed, Make The Devil Pray's instrumental was inspired by folk music and well… We can't say we don't like it but it was very surprising. However, we loved the religious references in the lyrics. Revolution also starts with acoustic guitars and claps and would have fit perfectly in Madonna’s latino or gypsy parts during her tours.

And then there are the Avicii tracks. We already knew Wash All Over Me and even though it is fun and its lyrics are good, it really is not a good song. Addicted (The One That Got Away) is better but it still sounds really weird and quite dated. Hopefully it will be better with clearer vocals. The same can be said about Borrowed Time. We liked its acoustic intro but the rest screams Avicii. Rebel Heart is still amazing and should be track #1 on the finished product. Its lyrics sum up the album’s atmosphere pretty well.

Finally, the collection also include some ballads and that is where you realize the most that you are listening to demos. For example, Messiah could be grandiose but Madonna’s voice is not deep enough. We loved the orchestra part though. Joan Of Arc sounds unfinished too (but that is fair considering it was not supposed to leak). The lyrics are really beautiful though and it unveils Madge’s unsuspected vulnerability. The last song was Heartbreak City and it is one of the best tracks of the pack. Once again, Madonna decides to be honest and to drop the mask. The lyrics are indeed heartbreaking.

The variety of this album is quite astonishing. It is not all about dance music like MDNA was (thanks God !) and it has a very introspective vibe (mostly because of the lyrics and the guitars playing throughout the entire thing). In our opinion, Avicii is way too present but hopefully the final thing will not include some of his songs. The first album who comes to our minds when we listen to these new songs is American Life and considering it is our favorite Madonna album, it can only be a good thing.

However, we can’t give it a grade because we did not listen to it in a particular order chosen by Madonna herself and because it is not finished yet. It does not even have a title.

Madonna’s team should react very quickly and rush-release the finalized album to iTunes in the next days if they don’t want really messy sales though. Still, congrats to the Queen of Pop for delivering such a heartfelt piece with experimental and crazy-sounding tracks 

Tracklist:

01. Unapologetic Bitch

02. Bitch I'm Madonna

03. Addicted (The One That Got Away)

04. Borrowed Time

05. Heartbreak City

06. Illuminati

07. Joan Of Arc

08. Living 4 Love (Carry On)

09. Make The Devil Pray

10. Messiah

11. Rebel Heart

12. Revolution

13. Wash All Over Me

“Please let me finish my work so I can give you my very best! Respect art and the process.”

—

Madonna.

Madonna set for world tour in 2015 to mark 30 years since debut Virgin concerts

The Material Girl is working on an album of new songs with OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder and plans to go on the road to mark three decades since her 1985 Virgin Tour. She is our favourite Material Girl, and we can reveal Queen of Pop Madonna will be back with a world tour in 2015. Hurrah. 

It will mark the 30th anniversary of her debut 1985 Virgin Tour, where she performed across the US and Canada.

Madge, 56, is currently in early talks about the concerts, which will come after an album of new material. In 2007, she inked a 10-year, £75million deal with tour promoters Live Nation. 

A source said: “This is going to be one very special tour. Madonna wants to pull out all the stops, especially because it is 30 years since the Virgin Tour.

“Like her 2012 MDNA tour, where she played 88 dates in places including Europe, South America and Asia, Madge will be ­travelling the world. Once the new record is finished she can concentrate on the concerts.”

We recently told how Madonna has drafted in Simon Cowell’s favourite hit-maker to help her pen tracks for the new album.

She is desperate to ensure it is a success and has tapped some of the industry’s biggest hitters to help, including OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder.

I'll Remember...1987..and that awful hair! LOL

Is Madge just learning how to use the internet?

I'll Remember...1999

I'll Remember...1994

Paparazzi ...1985

Paparazzi ...1990

Madonna Stars in New Versace Ad Campaign

Perched on the edge of her chair, fixing the camera with a smoldering gaze, she looks feral, poised for the kill.  She is Madonna, enshrined in a new advertising campaign showcasing Donatella Versace’s spring/summer 2015 collection. Lean and faintly menacing, she appears, at least in the lens of the fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the image of candid aggression.  She is that and more, said Ms. Versace, whose latest print collaboration with the star (a 12-page portfolio set to break next spring in magazines including Vanity Fair and the American, French and Italian editions of Vogue) is but the latest expression of a running theme.  “Madonna says it best herself: She is unapologetic,” Ms. Versace said the other day. “She is her own woman, a role model who shows other women how we can do what we want, and get what we want, and do so for all of our lives, with no compromise.”

Just Saying...

Was Madonna influenced by Miley Cyrus?

Madonna For Interview Magazine

Madonna wants to remind you of something rather important. Her feature story for Interview magazine reasserts a vital fact that may have gotten lost in the pop culture shuffle: In a world of female power players — the likes of which seem to change by the week — Madge has remained the queen. 

Interview magazine calls Madonna "the living paradigm for the character-based, image-centric presentation of an artist." As the cover star of Interview 's December issue, the songstress shows you exactly what that means. In an interview with friend David Blaine, Madonna addresses everything from failure to the benefits of being the dumbest person in the room. And, she's gone topless for the accompanying photo shoot. Presenting: an exclusive first look at Madonna's editorial spread, plus the images that will remind you who's queen bee around here. Ahead, how Madge does NSFW.

ABC News on New Album Leaks

I'll Remember...1999

Gives Good face...1989

Strike a Pose...1993

Paparazzi...1991

Ill Remember...1996

Madonna talks about Evita + Backstage

Madonna Covered...

Nelly Furtado - ‘Like A Prayer’

I'll Remember...1989

I'll Remember...2001

I'll Remember...1994

DeVante and Madonna. Goodnight 😴💤🌙 #ForeverDeVante #DeVanteSwing #madonna

Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ at 30

On her self-titled 1983 debut, Madonna sang perky little tunes about going on vacation (“Holiday”) and falling in and out of love (“Lucky Star” and “Borderline”). These were ideas grandma and grandpa could get behind, and yet the 20-something Michigan native caused a minor sensation, setting the stage for a total pop-culture takeover. Clearly, music was only one of her weapons. 

While Madonna offered Middle American mallrats a taste of underground NYC dance culture, what really got people talking was the singer herself. This spunky, self-assured club kid with the belly shirts and rubber bracelets liked being a topic of conversation, and with her second album, Like a Virgin, she endeavoured to keep her name on everyone’s lips.

Madonna and Valentino feuding?

Is Madonna friendship with Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti taking a bow?  The three have been close friends for years, with the Material Girl notably spending time at the designers’ many estates. But spies at the recent WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards bash say Madonna and Giammetti were at the same table but didn’t acknowledge each other.  “It’s so weird,” an onlooker tells Threads. “It looked like there had been a falling out between the two.”  Furthermore, the sharp-tongued singer scolded Valentino’s partner, Giancarlo Giammetti, snapping, “Please put your phone away, sir” while onstage speaking. 

Plus Madonna skipped out on two events for Valentino last week — a party for his entertaining guide, “Valentino: At the Emperor’s Table,” and a dinner hosted by Christie’s on Saturday night. 

I'll Remember...1985

Strike a Pose...1986

Jennifer Lopez inspired by Madonna

Promothing her new book on USA Today, Jennifer Lopez talked about Madonna being an inspiration to her.

Madonna & Nicki Minaj Collaborate On Song Produced By Diplo

Diplo and Skrillex recently sat down with Ebro, Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez on their Hot 97 “The Morning Show” for an interview, which you can watch below.

During the 10:25 mark of the interview, Diplo mentions that he produced a “ridiculous” beat for Madonna and Nicki Minaj. There is currently no release date just yet for the collaboration, but it will appear on Madonna‘s upcoming thirteenth studio album.

10 THINGS MILLENNIALS DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT MADONNA

It seems hard to believe, but Madonna’s second studio album Like a Virgin turns 30 today. The groundbreaking pop LP did more than establish the Material Girl — single No. 2 off the record — as a cultural phenomenon, it defined a decade. After Virgin, Madonna became a style and music icon; her rough-and-tumble yet glam look was mimicked by teens around the world. With the record, Madonna became arguably the world’s first dance-pop superstar. Oh, and the best.

Before there was Beyoncé, Britney Spears or Lady Gaga, there was Madonna. Millennials, take a stadium of seats, because we’re about to unload several truths about the pop icon that you don’t — and definitely should  — know.

1. She is still relevant.

Ask a group of youths what they think of Madonna, and the word “irrelevant” will more than likely be uttered. But this is just not the case, guys. Yes, Madonna is an ’80s icon first and foremost, but she’s still permeating mainstream culture today, whether you like it or not. Her 2012 Super Bowl halftime show drew more than 114 million viewers, the most-watched set by a female artist (even surpassing Beyoncé). Her MDNA Tour was the highest-grossing tour of 2012 and the second most profitable for any female artist in history. The first? Madonna's own Sticky & Sweet Tour. Her last 5 albums all debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200. Evidently, people are still interested in Madge  — and these numbers prove it.

2. Her age is irrelevant — and people really need to stop obsessing over it. 

In an era of incredibly necessary female empowerment, it’s disappointing how many times we hear people (sometimes even women) criticize Madonna’s age; the phrase, “She’s too old to be doing what she’s doing” comes up too many times. The fact of the matter is Madonna does not need to justify her controversial performance style now or ever. We should applaud the singer for still pushing society’s boundaries and causing us to think, or in her opinion, wake up. In fact, Madonna’s constant reinvention — even in her 50s — is proof age doesn’t define us. And that’s a pretty fantastic message.

3. She was talking about social issues before it was “cool.” 

It’s exciting to live in a time very close to fully embracing all walks of life. Now more than ever, those of different sexual orientations, gender expressions and other nuances can proudly express themselves without general fear of judgment. We give props to artists like Lady Gaga and  Spears for encouraging this revolution of love; however, they are endorsing a now-popular opinion. Madonna was urging for the same rights in the ’80s and ’90s when it was very unpopular. Her sexual exploration, especially during her Blonde Ambition Tour (1990) and Erotica (1992) era, pushed some serious buttons but started necessary conversations. And when Canadian officials threatened to arrest Madonna for simulating masturbation on stage in 1990, did she censor herself? Nope. That’s rock ‘n’ roll.

4.  She’s a damn good songwriter.  

The central concept of Madonna’s career is reinvention — new looks,  statements and sounds . The jarring visual transformations may cause people to forget the incredible songs that accompanied every Madonna era. Madge took a prominent songwriting role with 1986′s True Blue and has continued to wow us with her confessional lyrics and addictive choruses. Since 1989′s  Like a Prayer, she’s co-written every song on her studio albums (except “Fever” and “Bedtime Story”). In an age of hit-makers like Max Martin and Dr. Luke, that’s an incredible feat.

5. Yes, she can sing. 

While Madge has been known to lip-synch, it doesn't dispel the fact she has some pipes. Watch her 1991 performance of "Sooner or Later" at the Academy Awards if you have doubts. Better yet, check out Evita (1996) or listen to Ray of Light (1998). The proof is in the very-much-in-tune pudding. 

6.  She didn't peak in the '80s. 

There's a reason why Madonna hasn't  co-headlined  a "Stars of the '80s" reunion tour (cringe). It's because she's still putting out music that's both commercially and critically successful — some more than her early works. 2000's Music reached No.1 in more than 15 countries and received a stellar four-star rating from Rolling Stone. Like a Virgin, while fantastic, received a lower RS rating and hit No.1 in eight countries. It's safe to say Madonna hasn't peaked yet, and with new music due out next year, may never. 

7.  Like a Prayer and Ray of Light will always be more influential than Blackout (2007), The Fame Monster (2009) and — yes —Beyoncé (2014). 

While the aforementioned albums are certainly iconic in their own rights, let's not forget the pop records that paved the way for "Gimme More," "Telephone" and "Drunk in Love." Like a Prayer, with its strong religious and feminist themes and sexually ambitious promotional tour, charted territory not yet explored by a woman. Ray of Light is widely credited for ushering electronic music into mainstream pop, notably by the Los Angeles Times. The thematic and sonic elements of these two albums have undoubtedly influenced Spears and Gaga's electro-pop sound and Beyoncé's female-empowering music.  In many ways, they are the new icons; however, Madge made it possible. 

8. She paved the way for every female artist. And they should thank her. 

Speaking of new icons, Rihanna knocked Madge out of our Pop Queen Faceoff  last week. We respect RiRi and all of our contenders for their bravery and overall fabulousness; however, we must credit Madonna for blazing the trail for them. Without Madonna's gutsy "Justify My Love" music video, Spears may have never released In the Zone (2003). If Madonna hadn't executed the crazy-creative "Bedtime Story" video, Katy Perry's "California Gurls" candy wonderland may have just been a fantasy. And let's be real: without "Express Yourself," there would be no "Born this Way."

9. Sorry Jay-Z, but Madonna is pop music's greatest living entertainer.  

Beyoncé is fantastic, don't get us wrong, but she's competing against a legend with a 30+-year catalog and showstopping tours to boot. If there's one thing Madonna knows how to do, it's put on a show. The theatrics! The back-up dancers! The social commentary! Everything is perfectly crafted to create a pop performance art experience that cannot be paralleled. At the center of the dizzying production is one focused powerhouse with a fire in her eyes. And that's why her performances are so great. Madonna brings an inexplicable oomph to any performance —  passionate precision dancing and a feeling that she's right on the edge with us. At any moment, she could jump. And this thrilling intrinsic element cannot be taught. 

10.  Believe it or not, she's starred in a few decent films.

We're realistic. We know Madonna won't be winning an Oscar anytime soon; however, it would be lazy to write off all her acting efforts as bad. She garnered positive reviews as Susan in the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan.  A League of Their Own  has a 76 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Madonna's portrayal of Eva Perón in Evita is breathtaking. That's a fact.

I'll Remember...2008

Gives Good Face...1990

Strike a Pose...1987

Strike a Pose...1985

Strike a Pose...2014

Madonna attends Keep A Child Alive