UK Magazines: new!

The current edition of UK magazine new! (28 April issue 261) features this new picture of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow heading to Madonna's gym in London - and also a two-page article with their trainer Tracy Anderson - click on the articles to enlarge.

Events: Essex Hard Candy Party

Japanese Magazines: Dazed and Confused

The Japanese version of Dazed and Confused repeats last months UK version for it's May 2008 issue. The same interview and layout is featured - although the magazine cover graphics are slightly different.

Thanks to Ben-San

Vote: MTV Dance

Fans can vote for Erotica or Hung Up in the Ultimate 50 Sexiest Videos at www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvdance/ultimate_50_sexiest_videos

As well as voting for 4 Minutes for the Dancefloor Chart at www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvdance/music/vote_for_the_dancefloor_chart

Thanks to Nadav

Madonna attends I Am Because We Are premiere

A single phone call prompted Madonna to begin charity work in Malawi and it was while making a documentary on the African country's 1 million orphans that she found a baby she decided to adopt.
Premiering at New York's Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, 'I Am Because We Are', which was written, produced and narrated by Madonna, looks at the plight of the children orphaned by the AIDS crisis in one of the world's poorest countries.
Her interest in Malawi began about two years ago after she was contacted by a businesswoman, born and raised in the country, through a mutual friend. 'She said it was a state of emergency,' Madonna says in the film. 'She sounded exhausted and on the verge of tears. I asked her how I could help.'
'She said: 'You're a person with resources. People pay attention to what you say and do.' I felt embarrassed. I told her I didn't know where Malawi was. She told me to look it up on a map and then she hung up on me,' said Madonna, 49.
She educated herself on Malawi and the result is a charity for the country's orphans called Raising Malawi and the 94-minute documentary from first-time director Nathan Rissman.
'It was during filming, during researching these different orphanages, that she found David,' Rissman said in an interview.
David is the Malawian boy Madonna and her film director husband, Guy Ritchie, are adopting. He has lived with the couple in London since shortly after the adoption process began about 18 months ago. Malawi's government, which has been criticized for giving the singer-actress preferential treatment, has recommended the adoption be approved and a hearing on that is set for May 15.
'I Am Because We Are' shows footage of David being cared for by a 9-year-old girl with HIV at the Home of Hope orphanage in Malawi.
In the documentary, Madonna says David's mother had died in childbirth, three of his siblings had died and no one knew the whereabouts of his father. When she returned to the orphanage three months after first seeing him, Madonna said the baby 'had pneumonia, malaria and God knows what else' with no medicine to treat him.
'What was I prepared to do:' she asks in the film. 'If I was challenging other people to open up their minds and their hearts then I had to stand at the front of the line. I decided to try and adopt him. The rest is history.'
There is controversy behind that history. Critics accused the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children in Malawi. David's father came forward, saying he had only placed the child in the orphanage temporarily, but he has since given approval for the adoption.
Rissman, who started working for Madonna as a research assistant several years ago, said he has made up to 10 trips to Malawi in the past two years to make the documentary, which had started with a vision by Madonna to shine a light on Malawi's problems but also offer people ways to help.
'If you are going to wake people up you have to show them what to do,' Rissman said. 'Our idea was to....show them the desperate situation but to (also) show them the joy and then point them in the direction of the experts who can help facilitate this time of crisis.'
Among those interviewed are former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, Paul Farmer of the Harvard Medical School and Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute and special U.N. adviser.
'We decided to make this film to remind people how interconnected we are, to show that I have to be the best that I can be to help somebody in Malawi, in India....in my own backyard,' Rissman said.

Madonna and Nathan Rissman pictured at the premiere last night.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Japanese Magazines: Drops

Hard Candy was reviewed in free Japanese magazine Drops (May 2008 issue).

Thanks to Ben-San

Requesting 4 Minutes on Sirius Satellite Radio

Fans can request 4 Minutes on USA Sirius Satellite Radio, and here is how everyone can easily request the song:

Call 877-337-4748
Press 1 when Sirius answers.
Press 1 when it asks for the channel you want (Channel 1 is the Top 40 channel).
When it asks, press 1 again to make a request.
Enter 623 to request Madonna.
Press 1 to confirm and then leave them a nice message if you want.

Thanks to Jason

Hard Candy Teaser Trailer from Hong Kong

Two main TV channels in Hong Kong started to broadcast this advert from Monday 21 April giving a countdown to the arrival of Hard Candy.

Thanks to Matthew

US Magazines: New York Magazine

Madonna is interviewed in the current edition of New York Magazine (28 April issue) - and is the 'cover' star of the The Culture Pages within the magazine.

You can read the interview online at www.nymag.com/movies/profiles

Thanks to DJ Danny Echi and Lauren

4 Minutes in South Africa

Madonna's 4 Minutes has moved from #23 to #18 in Take 40 SA on 94.7 Highveld and 94.2 K-FM. Please vote to get her on top at www.take40sa.co.za/index

4 Minutes is once again #1 on Top 8 @ 8 on 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Let's keep her where we like to see her. Please vote by visiting www.highveld.co.za/music/top8/top8 and clicking on the top right hand side.

4 Minutes is currently at #20 on Vodacom Hi 5 @ 5. Up 5 places from last week's #25 spot. To vote for the Vodacom Hi 5@5, text 'Hi5 (insert artist name) (insert song title)' to 33345.

Thanks to Hylton

German Press: Bild

German newspaper Bild published this article in the Tuesday 22 April edition of the newspaper. The article celebrates Madonna's 13th #1 in the UK single charts.

Thanks to Susanne

4 Minutes in New Zealand

4 Minutes is #1 on New Zealand iTunes Music Videos
4 Minutes is #2 on New Zealand iTunes Singles
And The Immaculate Collection is #10 on New Zealand iTunes Albums!

Thanks to radwayne

Hard Candy adverts in Los Angeles

Madonna's Hard Candy is being advertised all over Los Angeles - here are some shots from the streets.

Thanks to Pud

Events: Hard Candy in Denmark

On the nights of Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April there'll be a special listening party at Code Bar in Copenhagen. On Thursday they'll play the first 4 tracks from HARD CANDY, on Friday the next 4 tracks + chances of winning special prices and finally they'll play the entire album on Saturday.

On Monday 28 April there'll be two street teams at Copenhagen Central Station and Norreport Station from 8-9 o´clock in the morning with free giveaways like candy and flyers to promote the new album.

So if you live in Copenhagen or close to Copenhagen then come and celebrate Madonna at Code Bar.

Thanks to Kent

Events: More Hard Candy Parties

Here are even more Hard Candy parties from around the world:

Barcelona, Spain

Guadalajara City, Mexico

Portland, USA

Vancouver, Canada

Virgin Megastores, USA

Australian fans chance to win tickets to Roseland

Fans in Australia can win tickets to see Madonna at Roseland - just register via Fox Fm’s website at www.fox.com.au/win/madonna-live - the prize includes flights to New York City and three nights accommodation with $1000 spending money.

Thanks to Michael

Bulgarian Magazines: Nie Zhenite

The 08-14 April issue of Bulgarian magazine Nie Zhenite features this Hard Candy shot of Madonna on the cover.

Thanks to Tsenko

US TV: Extra

Madonna will be on the US TV show Extra on Friday 25 April 25 on NBC at 4:30pm.

Thanks to Matt

Dutch Magazines: Veronica

Madonna is the cover star of Dutch magazine Veronica (26 April-02 May issue 17). The magazine also has the Dutch exclusive interview with Madonna.

Thanks to Jan-Peter

VH1 Top 20 Videos: 4 Minutes

Keep voting for Madonna's 4 Minutes at www.vh1.com/top_20_countdown

Last week Madonna debuted at #20 and this week she moved up to #3 - with fans help, she can reach #1 on the countdown on Saturday and Sunday mornings on VH1.

Thanks to Jose

I Am Because We Are: A letter from Madonna

Dear Friends,

I am so excited to bring you the first official news for this labor of love that I have spent the last two years working on.
We have recently been accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival and 'I AM BECAUSE WE ARE' will debut on the 24th of April.
I am thrilled to be part of this festival and to share with you the amazing journey this film has taken me on.
Check out the Tribeca Film Festival website for dates, times and tickets at;
www.tribecafilmfestival.org
As awareness grows around this film, we will keep you up to date with all the exciting news....
'I AM BECAUSE WE ARE' is a reminder that we are not defined without each other.

Love Madonna

Another chance to win Roseland tickets

96.1 Kiss, a radio station in Pittsburgh are giving away tickets to the Roseland show on their website. Simply submit your choice of favorite Madonna songs for this Friday's Madonna lunch hour countdown, and you will be automatically registerd to win tickets. Visit www.961kiss.com to submit your choices.

Thanks to Tall Cathy

US Magazines: Us Weekly

US magazine Us Weekly (28 April issue 689) featured this four-page article about Madonna taking a look back at some of her more 'interesting' wardrobe choices.

'In her own words! The famed chameleon cracks her own jokes for Us about her historic fashion flubs. P.S. Her latest CD, Hard Candy, is out April 29.'

Thanks to Ani and Garrett

US TV: Entertainment Tonight

The making of and behind the scenes footage of the video for 4 Minutes will be shown on the US TV show Entertainment Tonight on Thursday 24 April at 7:30pm EST.

Thanks to Rob

Irish Press: Daily Mirror

The Irish edition of the Daily Mirror published this story today about Madonna bringing her next tour to The Point in Dublin - click on the article to enlarge.

Thanks to Colin

Events: Win tickets to Roseland

Everyone who enters VLADA (331 W 51 Street, New York City) on Wednesday will be given a raffle ticket. The winning number will be announced at 12:45am. Winner receives two tickets to see Madonna at Roseland Ballroom.

4 Minutes UK Sales Figures

MusicWeek.com report that Madonna scored her 13th number one in total, and her fifth of the 21st century, as 4 Minutes – her collaboration with Justin Timberlake - climbs to the summit on sales of 40,634.

Thanks to Martalto

VH1 Top 20 Videos: 4 Minutes

Keep voting for Madonna's 4 Minutes at www.vh1.com/top_20_countdown

Last week Madonna debuted at #20 and this week she moved up to #3 - with fans help, she can reach #1 on the countdown on Saturday and Sunday mornings on VH1.

Thanks to Jose

Events: Belgium Hard Candy Release Party

This Thursday 24 April 24 the Music Store Free Record Shop in Leuven, Belgium will specially open it's door again at 10:00pm for a Hard Candy Release Party.
Fans will have a chance to be one in the first in the world to buy the CD. Belgian celebrities Tanja Dexters, Ellen Petri and Hadise will be there and allso a Madonna look-a-like.
There will be a party with free drinks and candy. CD price will be 16,99 euro and every customer gets a free Hard Candy Poster and a free MadonnaNed Confessions Tour Photo.
Free Record Shop Leuven, Diestsestraat 89-90, 3000 Leuven.

Thanks to Dan

Australian Press: The Age and Sunday Herald Sun

Madonna was featured in the Australian press this weekend, The Age's GW Magazine on Saturday had an article on how Vanity Fair has changed the way celebrities are photographed. The main cover photograph was an image of Madonna from the filming of Evita shot by Mario Testino.

On Sunday, The Sunday Herald Sun's Inside Entertainment Magazine featured Madonna on the cover. The article inside is about her major success over her career, and how it is only getting better, the article was illustrated with a Steven Klein shot from that is featured in the Hard Candy CD booklet.

Thanks to Darren

Madonna defends New York comments

Madonna has insisted that her recent comments about New York were taken out of context.
The singer was quoted by Vanity Fair as saying the city had 'lost its buzz' and was no longer the cultural capital of the world.
She told New York magazine that her remarks had been misinterpreted, saying: 'I really love New York. That's where my career started. I was referring to, in a way, missing those early days when the art world, the downtown scene, the music world were colliding.'
'So it was a reference to missing that time and a lot of those people. I am not plugged in the way I used to be, and I miss those days.'
However, she reiterated her belief that New York is lacking the kind of artistic characters who made it such an exciting place to live in the 1980s.
She said: 'When I first came to New York my friends were Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.'
'There was this crazy interface for me of art and life, and I don't see that so much anymore in New York.'

From Digital Spy

Events: Hard Candy Release Parties

Here are some flyers for various Hard Candy parties taking place over the next couple of weeks.

Chile

Finland

Houston, Texas

Malta

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How to apply for Big Weekend tickets

Fans can register for Big Weekend tickets at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend but should take note of the ticket ballot rules:

Only UK and Channel Island residents can apply for tickets - overseas entries will not be considered. You may register for tickets if you are under 16, but if successful you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18 years and older).

Only one application will be accepted per person. Successful applicants will be allocated a pair of tickets.

Tickets are not transferable. They are also free and cannot be resold. If you buy tickets from anyone they will not be valid.

Madonna to headline Big Weekend

Madonna is to headline the main stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone, in Kent.
The international superstar, who went to number one in the UK singles chart with 4 Minutes on Sunday, will play the two-day event on Saturday 10 May.
30,000 fans are expected at Mote Park to enjoy more than 50 other bands and solo artists on 10 and 11 May.
Other acts taking part include The Fratellis, Robyn, Duffy, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling and The Hoosiers.
Listeners can register for tickets for one week from 8am on 21 April until 10am on 28 April.
More than 470,000 people applied for tickets in 2007.
Organisers say demand is expected to be even bigger this year. 100,000 people have registered already today.
Successful applicants will receive a pair of tickets for either Saturday or Sunday.
Gates open at 12pm and close at 10pm.
Tickets will be allocated randomly, but weighted in favour of those living in Maidstone, Kent and the surrounding areas.
A smaller amount will be distributed nationally.
Listeners registering across the UK will also have the chance to win tickets via Radio 1 on-air competitions in the week before the event.
With over 30,000 free tickets being made available for listeners, if you are a successful applicant then you'll truly be one of the lucky ones!
'But for those that can't get to the event, there will be access via BBC TV, Red Button, Radio 1 and online.'

From BBC Newsbeat

German Magazines: Vanity Fair

This weeks edition of the German version of Vanity Fair (17 April issue) features this one-page look at Madonna's image/inspiration behind each album.

Thanks to Margit

Court grants Madonna adoption case delay

Malawi's High Court has agreed to delay a hearing to finalize pop star Madonna's adoption of a boy from the southern African nation until May 15, a senior court official said on Monday.
Madonna had asked the court to postpone the hearing from April 22 because she had to travel to the United States on business, a lawyer close to the case had said on Saturday.
'I believe May 15 should be the final date for the hearing unless her lawyers ask for another date and put up reasonable arguments for that,' the High Court official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Madonna's attorney Alan Chinula declined to comment.
Malawi's government recommended earlier this month that the court approve the adoption of two-year-old David Banda.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

US Magazines: People

The new edition of US magazine People (28 April issue) features this new picture of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow heading to Madonna's personal gym.

Thanks to Ani

Celebrate Madonna Monday at itv.com

The wait for is nearly over for Madonna’s new album Hard Candy – out 28th April and ITV.com/music is celebrating this highly anticipated release by starting every week with Madonna Monday. The site will be crammed full of fantastic Madonna themed content. Not only can you check out the gallery – the A-Z of Madonna, but you can also see an interview with the Queen of Pop and watch her latest video 4 Minutes with Justin Timberlake.
The site will also be running a search for the Material Girl’s finest musical moment. From the controversy of Like A Virgin (1984), the psychedelic pop sound of Ray Of Light (1998) to the discotastic Confessions on a Dancefloor (2005), she has proved that regardless of the genre she is capable of adding her inimitable sound.
We want you to tell us your favourite studio album from her past 10 records - stretching from her self-titled debut in 1982 to 2005’s Confessions On A Dance Floor. Just go to itv.com and cast your vote. The winning album will be announced on Monday 28th April.

Thanks to Matt

UK Press: Metro

Today's edition of UK free city newspaper the Metro featured this advert for the Vodafone download of Candy Shop that is only available for download today.

Hard Candy in Croatia

The Dancing Bear store in Zagreb, Croatia will open their doors at Midnight on the evening of Thursday 24 April/Morning of Friday 25 April for the sale of Hard Candy and the first few lucky ones will get some goodies.

Thanks to Alan and Dean

Events: South Carolina Hard Candy Party

Here's a flyer for a Hard Candy party taking place in South Carolina, USA, on Monday 28 April starting at 08:30pm.

4 Minutes is the UK #1

Madonna's 4 Minutes has made it to #1 on the official UK Singles Chart. This is fantastic news, giving Madonna her 13th UK #1 and was based on download sales alone. With the physical CD single being released tomorrow, sales should continue to increase - check out the chart at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles

Events: Chile Hard Candy Party

US TV: The Today Show

Madonna is scheduled to make an appearence on NBC's The Today Show on Friday 25 April. This marks the first 'live' TV appearance of the Hard Candy album era.

Thanks to Andreax93

German Magazines: In and OK!

The current issue of In magazine (17 April issue) from Germany features this three-page article on Madonna.

And the 17 April issue of the German version of OK! magazine featured this two-page article.

Thanks to Susanne

Behind the scenes of 4 Minutes

What exactly is the crazy idea behind Madonna's hit video? Get the answer from the innovative directors themselves: French duo Jonas & François at www.popeater.com

Thanks to Kelly

Spanish Magazines: Dominical

Dominical, a supplement magazine with Spanish newspaper El Periodico, features this great cover and a seven-page article in today's edition. Click to enlarge.

Thanks to Katze

Vote: 4 Minutes in Canada

Fans can vote for Madonna's 4 Minutes video in Canada at these links:

MuchMoreMusic | www.muchmoremusic.com/top10
Musique Plus - Pop | www.musiqueplus.com/emissions/pop
Musique Plus - Top 5 Anglo | www.musiqueplus.com/emissions/top5

Thanks to Pascal

Hard Candy promotion in Japan

madonnalicious reader Ross has sent in this report from Japan:

Konnichiwa madonnalicious and fellow Madonna fans! I had the opportunity to take some of these pics at Tower Records; Japan (yes, Japan still has Tower Records - owned by a Japanese company). These were taken in Okinawa, Japan and it pretty much translates to everything we already know! I hope Madonna comes back to Japan!

Vote: 4 Minutes in Eastern Europe

Here is a list of places for fans in Eastern Europe to vote for Madonna's 4 Minutes:

Belarus / www.pilotfm.com/hitparade
Estonia / www.sky-radio.fm (vote and click '??????????')
Latvia / www.europeanhitradio.com (click 'balsot')
Romania / www.rt100.ro/userTop100
Russia / www.lifemusic.ru/vote (choose 10 songs)
Ukraine / www.galaradio.com
Ukraine / www.mfm.ua/top20
Ukraine / www.prosto.fm/programs/star_wars
MTV Romania / www.mtv.ro/sondaje/mtv-by-request
MTV Ukraine / www.mtv.ua/music/chart/top10at10 (write Madonna - 4 Minutes at 1 and accept the conditions)

Thanks to Trovante