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March 2015

Madonna interview on BBC Radio 2 tonight

Madonna has given an interview over the telephone to Jo Wiley on BBC Radio 2.

Madonna talks to Jo about her new album, family life and that fall at The Brit Awards! It is her first UK radio interview in a long time ahead of her tour in late summer.

The interview will be broadcast tonight (Tuesday 31 March) at 8.00pm, and will be available later on the BBC iplayer.

For more information visit: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes


Madonna's Instagram: TIDAL Launch

Madonna posted a series of messages and pictures about her involvement of the TIDAL music streaming launch yesterday:

'Here comes the Tidal Wave!!! Who Runs The World???????? ‪#‎rebelhearts‬'

Tidal_backstage1

'Bad Girls of Tidal!! ‪#‎Unapologeticbitches‬ #rebelhearts'

Tidal_backstage2

'Tidal is not about consumption and greed! Its about protecting an art-form that is beloved to all of us MUSIC! ‪#‎rebelhearts‬ stand together for what they believe in!'

Tidal_stage

'Everything will be explained and revealed in time! Have Faith! And remember nothing is for free! This is a universal LAW. Somewhere-Somehow-Someone has to pay. There is always an exchange. ‪#‎truth‬. ‪#‎tidal'

'If you refer to Tidal as Illuminati, you are paying us the highest of compliments. As I've stated before it is another name for "The Enlightened Ones" a group of scientists, philosophers and artists that emerged after the dark ages. They changed and shaped the world for the better! Do the research and find out for yourself! ‪#‎knowledge‬ is power ‪#‎rebelheart‬'


Madonna backs new streaming service

Madonna, Rihanna, Beyonce and Jay Z are among the A-list musicians who are co-owners of Tidal, a streaming service being billed as the first artist-owned platform for music and video.

The membership-based service - similar to subscription service Spotify - will provide music and video content that users can stream on computers, tablets and smartphones or listen to offline. It is being offered in two formats: standard sound quality, and 'lossless high fidelity sound quality'.

Kanye West, Daft Punk, Alicia Keys, Jack White and Nicki Minaj were among the artists who announced at last night's New York event that they are co-owners of the service that launched quietly in October. The celebrities, who also included Jason Aldean, Usher, members of Arcade Fire and deadmau5, stood in a line onstage as Keys spoke to the audience. Most of them wore black as a sign of solidarity. Keys called the event 'a graduation'.

She said the artists hope Tidal will 'forever change the course of music history' and ensure the viability of the industry.

Keys said: "So we come together before you on this day, March 30 2015, with one voice in unity in the hopes that today will be another one of those moments in time, a moment that will forever change the course of music history. For today we announce of Tidal, the first ever artist-owned, global music and entertainment platform.

'Our mission goes beyond commerce, it goes beyond technology. Our intent is to preserve music's importance in our lives. Music is the language of love, of laughter, of heartbreak, of mystery. It's the world's true, true, without question, universal language.'

Each of the owners signed documents at the event as the audience screamed when they walked to a table in the centre of the stage.

From Press Association Via Yahoo! News

Tidal_signing

Madonna's Instagram: iHeartRadio Awards

Madonna posted pictures and comments from her night at the iHeartRadio Awards that took place on Sunday night.

'My new favorite guitar player! Thank you Taylor! Just you and I in ‪#‎ghostown‬ ‪#‎rebelhearts'

Instagram_iheartradio1

'Bitch Im Wearing Alexander Wang! IRadio!!! ‪#‎rebelheart'

Instagram_iheartradio2

'Back stage moment! You may kiss my hand! Thank you Alexander Wang! And Lynn_Ban ‪#‎rebelheart'

Instagram_iheartradio3

'Even with no light we're gonna shine like GOLD! Thank you again TS. ‪#‎rebelhearts'

Instagram_iheartradio4

'Thanking my lucky stars for all i have been blessed with iHeartRadio Awards! ‪#‎rebelheart‬ 4 ever ‪#‎livingforlove‬'


Taylor Swift and Madonna Own the iHeartRadio Awards

In a night that belonged to Taylor Swift, she hit her highest note at Sunday's iHeartRadio Awards alongside new BFF Madonna. Swift made a surprise appearance to provide guitar accompaniment for Madonna's performance of 'Ghosttown,' the new single from Rebel Heart and the awards show's best performance.

The alluring, post-apocalyptic song could well shape up to be a hit for Madonna, and she and Swift shared the stage with the ease of kindred spirits. Later in the night, Madonna presented Swift with the song of the year award for 'Shake It Off,' and Swift thanked 'Madonna for being Madonna.'

From Billboard.com


Outtakes From Her 25 Things You Don't Know About Me

Nothing's better than more, more, more! Leave it to Madonna to exceed Us Weekly's request for 25 Things You Don't Me. Speaking with Us' Entertainment Director Ian Drew recently, the pop legend, 56, sounded off on everything from her goal to meet President Obama (and Drake!), her disdain for fur bikinis, escargot, and her home state of Michigan in the much talked-about, published version of '25 Things.'

But that's not all she had to say. In these outtakes from our exclusive chat with the legendary 'Ghosttown' singer, Madonna muses on her family, filming Evita, the pitfalls of fame and who she might owe an apology to, among other topics. Read on!

US WEEKLY: In the spirit of rebel hearts, what was your ultimate 'rebel' moment?
MADONNA: The ultimate moment where I most felt like a rebel was in St. Petersburg, Russia [in 2012 during the MDNA Tour] when I was told they were going to arrest anyone who was openly or obviously gay and they came to my shows and I spoke out against the government. Eighty-seven people were arrested and I was fined like $1 million. They dropped the lawsuit, though. When I stood up for Pussy Riot was around the same time, but there have been a lot of those moments. I also think about when I was in Toronto and they said if I simulated masturbation during one of my shows [during the Blonde Ambition Tour in 1990] they would have me arrested and I was like, ‘F--k you! I’m doing it anyway. So arrest me.’ They didn’t in the end. Lots of those. Then there’s the Vatican when they said they would have me...you know, whatever! It goes on and on....

Read the rest of the article here: www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-new

Fans in the UK will be pleased to know the issue is currently available to buy in selected newsagents now (issue date 30 March 2015)!

Usweekly_300315_inside_news
Usweekly_300315_cover_news

Ghosttown debuts on Billboard's Adult Contemporary

Madonna debuts at No. 21 on Adult Contemporary with 'Ghosttown,' the second single from her new album, Rebel Heart. First single 'Living for Love' reached No. 36 on Pop Songs, aided by concentrated plays on iHeartMedia-owned stations; spins on certain AC stations in the chain likewise spur the start of 'Ghosttown.' (It bubbles under Adult Pop Songs, also thanks to iHeartMedia plays in that format).

The bow of 'Ghosttown' ends Madonna’s longest break from charting on AC: she last reached the list with 'Jump,' which hit No. 21 in January 2007. She makes her 36th visit to the tally. Since her first week on the chart in June 1984 (with 'Borderline'), only Elton John (43), Celine Dion (41) and Rod Stewart (40) have made more appearances.

From Billboard.com - thanks to Micheal


Second shows added to Miami, NYC and Toronto

Due to overwhelming demand, Madonna has added second and final shows in Miami, New York, and Toronto to the highly anticipated Rebel Heart Tour. Tickets will go on pre-sale to ICON members on Tuesday, March 24 at 10AM. Secure your Icon Live Pass to access our exclusive pre-sales!

Miami - August 30
New York - September 17
Toronto - October 06

ICON PRE-SALE SCHEDULE:
START: TUE., MARCH 24 @ 10AM LOCAL TIMES
END: WED., MARCH 25 @ 5PM LOCAL TIMES
Live Pass access codes (with prefix "MRHD") expire on March 25th @ 5pm PT. Codes with prefix "MRHA" "MRHB" and "MRHC" are no longer valid.


Madonna Radio 1 move 'nothing personal'

Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper has insisted there was 'nothing personal' in the decision not to include Madonna's latest single on the station's playlist.

Fans of t he Material Girl singer, 56, who has repeatedly reinvented herself over the last 30 years, said the station snubbed her by not putting Living For Love on the playlist, which rates songs on musical merit and relevance to its listeners.

Mr Cooper said: "We do not ban artists. There's nothing personal about Madonna. I think it's just about the merit of the music that the artist is creating at the time.'

'We have one of the most democratic playlist committees in the world and it's worked for Madonna for the last 20 odd years but it just means that this current record, when it's a choice between that and say Wolf Alice or a new up-and-coming artist, then you say 'which is more relevant to a young audience?''

Living For Love was released ahead of schedule due to internet leaks and was the track she was performing at the Brits when she tumbled in front of millions of viewers after getting caught up in her cape.

Sir Paul McCartney, who at 72 is 16 years older than Madonna, has been on the playlist recently and presenter Annie Nightingale, 74, is significantly older than Madonna. She is on air every Tuesday between 1am and 4am.

From Press Association Via Yahoo! News


Liz Smith on Rebel Heart sales

From Liz Smith: www.newyorksocialdiary.com

One last music note. There has been some barely disguised glee in reporting that the 'Empire' soundtrack just barely beat out Madonna’s 'Rebel Heart,' taking the No. 1 spot on Billboard. But Madonna’s record is actually selling more. (I leave it to chart mavens to explain this anomaly.)

And, the album is No.1 in eleven countries worldwide. Don’t cry for Madonna, because believe me, she’s not crying! She has promoted the hell out of the record. Now she’s thinking ahead to her sure-to-be-stupendous summer tour.

While Madonna occasionally looks back in song, in her life she simply doesn’t have the time.


Madonna comments on Dolce & Gabbana IVF controversy

Madonna added her voice to the controversy surrounding fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, telling them to 'think before you speak' after Dolce described children born to gay couples through fertility treatment as 'synthetic.'

The performer joined other celebrities who criticized the Italian duo when she posted a message on Instagram along with a photograph of herself and a baby from Dolce & Gabbana's 2010/2011 winter collection campaign.

'All babies contain a soul however they come to this earth and their families. There is nothing synthetic about a soul!! So how can we dismiss IVF and surrogacy?' said Madonna.

Pop star Elton John, who with his partner and husband David Furnish is the father of two children conceived through fertility treatment, slammed the designers for the comments and called for a boycott of the fashion brand.

Celebrities ranging from designer Victoria Beckham to singer Ricky Martin rallied behind John after the Italian magazine Panorama published Sicilian-born Dolce's comments.

'You are born and you have a father and a mother. Or at least it should be like this, that's why I am not convinced by chemical children, synthetic babies, wombs for rent,' Dolce said.

Madonna, a mother of four and a client of the designers, said God is involved in everything, including technology.

'We are arrogant to think Man does anything on his own. As above so below! Think before you speak,' she added on Instagram.

In a statement released by the designers, who once had a romantic relationship and remain business partners, they said it was never their intention of judge other people's choices.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News


Madonna's Instagram: The Ellen Show

Madonna shared these pictures on her Instagram account from her appearance on The Ellen Show:

'Had so much fun on Ellen today! We were ‪#‎unapologeticbitches‬ ‪#‎rebelheart'

Instagram_ellenshow1

'Waiting in the wings....And ‪#‎livingforlove‬ ‪#‎rebelheart‬'

Instagram_ellenshow2

'Ellen steals the show!! Watch tomorrow! #‎liviingforlove‬ ‪#‎rebelheart‬'

Instagram_ellenshow3

Sam Smith denies Madonna her 12th number one album

Sam Smith has stopped Madonna from topping the UK album chart, denying her the 12th number one of her career.

Madonna's latest album, Rebel Heart, had been in pole position throughout the week, but Smith's In The Lonely Hour sneaked ahead at the last minute.

His record undoubtedly received a boost after he performed his new single, Lay Me Down, with John Legend on Friday night's Comic Relief show.

In the end, he beat Madonna by 12,000 sales, the Official Chart Company said.

From BBC News


Request Madonna on US radio

madonnalicious reader Fernando is urging all Madonna fans and Rebel Hearts to keep Living For Love and Ghosttown ALIVE on US radio.

Z100 New York is the largest radio station broadcast nationwide.

Please vote for Living For Love and Ghosttown via their website, text or phone line:

- Go to www.z100.com and select On AIR tab and click request a song. You can only make a request ONCE every 24 hours from the same computer.

- Text 'request Madonna Living For Love / Ghosttown' to 55100

- Phone request line 800-242-0100

C'mon Rebel Hearts! WE CAN UNITE AND DO THIS!


The Jonathan Ross Show: Press Reviews

Madonna's interview with Jonathan Ross that was broadcast on ITV1 last night got some great reviews in the UK press today:

7 reasons everyone really loved Madonna on the Jonathan Ross Show
Tonight’s episode of the Jonathan Ross Show was indisputably ruled by one guest and one guest only – the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. She breezed her way through the interview with total class and humility, giving a flawless performance at the end of the show. And viewers loved her on Twitter. So why exactly were we all fawning over Madge? Here are seven very good reasons.

To read the seven reasons visit: uk.news.yahoo.com/7-reasons

Madonna jets out of NYC with son David Banda as Twitter comes alive with praise for her candid interview with Jonathan Ross
While she was flying, Madonna's popularity was soaring on Saturday night. The 56-year-old was jetting out New York City with her son David Banda, nine, just as an interview discussing that big fall was airing on British television. Madonna's appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show - in which she addressed one of the most talked about Brits performances of all time - gained her plenty of praise on Twitter, as users took to social media to commend her for her honesty.

To read the rest of the article visit: www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz

The Jonathan Ross Show: Madonna Special, review: 'fascinating to watch'
Not many stars are deemed important enough to get Jonathan Ross’s orange velvet sofa all to themselves; even big Hollywood stars find themselves jostling for space with boy band members and up and coming comedians.
Madonna is the exception – there might not have been nearly as much buzz around her latest album, Rebel Heart, as there was with previous works (her new single has even been rejected by Radio 1, apparently on account of her being 'too old'. Ouch), but she’s still regarded as fascinating enough for a whole hour of dedicated probing from Ross.
She and Ross are a good combination - they’re almost the same age, which means he’s interviewed her at regular intervals throughout both of their careers, so there’s a little more trust and rapport than she might have with someone less established. It means he can get away with asking the trickier questions, as well as gently ribbing her. It’s fair to say she’d never put up with that from a newspaper journalist.

To read the rest of the review visit: www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio


Madonna criticises Radio 1 'ban'

Pop star Madonna has called Radio 1 'discriminatory and unfair' after it declined to play her latest single.

Living For Love failed to make the station's playlist, which dictates its most-played songs, when it was released last month, leading to accusations of ageism from the 56-year-old's fans.

Speaking to The Sun, Madonna said she was 'shocked' by her exclusion. 'I was like, 'Wait a second. Shouldn't it be to do with whether you wrote a good, catchy pop song?'

Radio 1 says Madonna's age had nothing to do with its decision, saying it chooses songs on 'musical merit and their relevance to our young audience on a case-by-case basis. An artist's age is never a factor,' it said in a statement.

However, BBC News has learned that the station turned its back on Madonna long before Living For Love was released.

Speaking at a Radio Academy event last year, Radio 1's 49-year-old head of music, George Ergatoudis, said the station had 'moved on' from her music.

Ergatoudis, who chairs the weekly playlist meetings, had been asked whether he would play Madonna's next single if she agreed to appear at Radio 1's Big Weekend festival.

In response, he said: 'The BBC Trust have asked us to go after a young audience. We've got to concentrate on [people aged] 15-30. We have to bring our average age down. That's something we're very conscious of. The vast majority of people who like Madonna, who like her music now, are over 30 and frankly, we've moved on from Madonna.'

In her interview with The Sun, Madonna expressed disbelief that age would be a factor in deciding whose music to play on daytime radio.

'My manager said to me, 'If you're not in your twenties, it's hard. You might get your record played in your thirties. There's a handful of people who do - Pharrell [who is 41] got lucky. But if you're in your fifties, you can forget it'. Really? Is that how it's broken down? I'm so stupid. I didn't know it was anything to do with my age. I just do my work. We've made so many advances in other areas - civil rights, gay rights - but ageism is still an area that's taboo and not talked about and dealt with.'

Radio 1 does continue to play other artists above the age of 30 - including the Foo Fighters, whose frontman Dave Grohl is 46. 72-year-old Paul McCartney also appears on the current playlist, although only as a featured artist on Kanye West and Rihanna's song FourFiveSeconds.

The Sun has run a vocal campaign criticising the station for turning its back on artists such as Take That and Kylie Minogue.

However, Madonna's single was not completely banished by Radio 1, being played on some of its specialist shows. One of the DJs who gave the song airtime was Annie Mac, who took over the influential Evening Session programme earlier this week.

She told The Independent: 'I'm a lifelong Madonna fan and I played her on my Friday show. [Living For Love] was produced by Diplo, who is one of the biggest artists on my show. If I'm excited by a song, then I think it's going to be all right to play it.'

From BBC News


Madonna values her kids' opinions

Madonna always 'follows the opinion' of her children. The 56-year-old singer - who has daughters Lourdes, 18 and Mercy, nine, and sons Rocco, 14, and David, nine - plays her new music to her kids and knows they will always be honest enough to tell her if they don't like something.

She said: 'I have asked their opinion. I always do it. They were with me a lot in the studio. I rely on their taste. I follow their opinion. They have good taste! But it doesn't mean they like every song. They have strong opinions.'

Madonna has just released her 13th studio album 'Rebel Heart' and says the title reflects the two different aspects of her personality.

In an interview on Italian TV show 'Che Tempo Che Fa', she said: 'Let me explain the title 'Rebel Heart' because there are two very strong sides of my personality: there's the rebellious side, the provocateur, the worrywart, the fear fighter and there's the romantic side, the one of me that makes me believe in true love. The album is an illustration and an expression of both sides of me.' She said: 'I think that we always take the freedom for granted, even in America. So, I think what happened in Paris was a big wake-up call for the entire world. It makes us understand that we must be more tolerant one another. We have to try to understand the others and the differences.'

From contactmusic.com


Revelations From the Material Girl's Howard Stern Interview

She's one of the most famous women in the world, but even Madonna has her secrets.

Luckily for listeners, the 'Living for Love' singer was in a sharing mood when she appeared on Howard Stern's SiriusXM radio show Wednesday. At one point during their 83-minute conversation, Madonna revealed that she once dated rapper Tupac Shakur. 'I was mad at [David Letterman] when I said the F-word a lot. I was in a weird mood that day. I was dating Tupac Shakur at the time and the thing is he got me all riled up on life in general. So when I went on the show I was feeling very gangsta,' she explained.

Madonna was referring to a 1994 appearance on CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman. Shakur, sadly, was shot and killed on Sept. 7, 1996, after attending a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas.

Stern had never heard about their romance, while Madonna said she thought it was public knowledge. An unauthorized 2007 biography called Madonna: Like an Icon claimed the two briefly dated one year before Shakur's death. In 2014, Rosie Perez told Wendy Williams she played a role in introducing them.

Here are five more revelations from her interview:

1. She was never jealous of Warren Beatty's famous exes.
'Yes, he was [an incredible lover]. I'm not going to lie,' Madonna said of her ex. Though Beatty dated the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Julie Christie and Elle Macpherson, she said, 'I have confidence in my skills.' Beatty also inspired Madonna's 1990 'Vogue,' which she wrote in just a few hours. ''I had seen people voguing. Warren asked me to write a song for Dick Tracy and I was thinking about all of the movie stars," the 'Ghosttown' singer recalled. "Warren grew up in that era and he dated all of Hollywood, basically.''

2. She felt a kinship with Michael Jackson.
Madonna brought the King of Pop as her date to the Academy Awards in 1991, and they stayed in touch over the years. 'I could certainly relate to him on many levels, but he was also a very shy person,' she said. 'He was famous since he was a child and didn't really have a childhood. He was painfully shy.' They were able to bond over their unusual lives, she recalled. 'We didn't really have a relationship about me revealing myself to him, but making fun of the crazy world we were living and working in. We didn't talk about our childhoods....I think he felt eternally tortured. It was hard for him to look into people's eyes.'

3. She was told her career was 'over' after performing 'Like a Virgin' for the first time.
When her shoe fell off during the show, she tried to get it back. 'I just dove for [my shoe] on the ground, my dress went up and my butt was showing....and I didn't know my skirt was up. So I proceeded to sing the song laying down on the ground. I was just making the best of a situation, which is what I do,' Madonna said. 'After I got off stage, my manager was white as a ghost. He looked at me and he said, 'Do you know what you just did?' I looked at him and I said, 'Yeah, I lost my shoe onstage.' And he was like, 'No, your butt was showing for the entire song.' And he looked at me and he said, 'Your career is over.''

4. She dumped artist Jean-Michel Basquiat beause of his heroin addiction.
Recalling her relationship with the late artist in the '80s, Madonna said, 'We always think we can fix people and we can't....just change yourself.' After the pop singer ended their relationship, Basquiat demanded his ex return all the paintings he'd given to her as gifts. 'I loved him,' she recalled. 'When I broke up with him he made me give them all back to him, and then he painted over all of them black.'

5. She no longer does drugs.
'I tried some ecstasy in the '80s, but I felt so ill for so many days after taking it. It wasn't worth it,' she explained. Madonna doesn't smoke marijuana, either, saying she's not an 'herbalist' and never will be. She does drink alcohol on occasion, however. 'I'm pretty fun when I'm drunk,' the Grammy winner said.

From E! Online

Howardstern_110315_interview_news

Madonna adds a second tour date in Edmonton

Her Madgesty will perform Monday, Oct. 12 at Rexall Place. Her first date, Oct. 11, which happens to be her very first show in Alberta PERIOD, is sold out.

Which means Madonna fans will get to go through this ticket madness all over again on Monday, March 16. A Live Nation presale will start Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

From edmontonjournal.com - thanks to Danny


Madonna: 'Gay Rights Are More Advanced Than Women's Rights'

Do you know what it feels like in this world, for a girl? Madonna does, and she has some thoughts about how it could be better. Chatting with Out recently to promote her new album, Rebel Heart, the 'Living for Love' singer made a bold statement about women's rights - or the lack thereof.

'Gay rights are way more advanced than women's rights,' the mother of four, 56, told the mag. 'People are a lot more open-minded to the gay community than they are to women, period.'

That wasn't always the case, of course, but in recent years, at least, Madge thinks women have fallen - or been left - behind. 'It's moved along for the gay community, for the African-American community, but women are still just trading on their ass,' argued the superstar, who has been a vocal LGBT supporter throughout her entire career. 'To me, the last great frontier is women.'

Pressed to elaborate, she replied, 'Women are still the most marginalized group. They're still the group that people won't let change...You must fit into this box: You must behave this way, dress this way.'

Madonna has never been one to conform, of course, but as Out notes, even she faces criticism for her outfits and lifestyle choices.

'You're still categorized - you're still either a virgin or a whore,' she continued. 'If you're a certain age, you're not allowed to express your sexuality, be single, or date younger men.'

Speaking of dating, Madonna told Out she used to pine after gay men in New York City, where she moved after dropping out of the University of Michigan.

'I didn't feel like straight men understood me. They just wanted to have sex with me,' she explained. 'Gay men understood me, and I felt comfortable around them. There was only that one problem, which is that they didn't want to have sex with me! So...conundrum!'

From: www.usmagazine.com


Video: Madonna on The Today Show (Part 2)

Rarely one to shy away from the risqué, Madonna admitted to TODAY’s Carson Daly that she was a bit self-conscious when her children witnessed the production of her new album.

'Every time my kids would visit me in the studio, it would just so happen that I'd be working on a song like ‘Holy Water’ or ‘S.E.X.,’' she said in Tuesday's interview. 'And I'd be like, ‘OK, just could - I’ll be - stay outside. I'll be right out.’'

She said her kids - college freshman Lourdes Leon, high-school student Rocco Ritchie, and 9-year-olds Mercy James and David Banda Mwale Ciccone Ritchie - react in different ways to her mature content.

To read more visit: www.today.com/popculture/madonna


Madonna set for 12th No 1 album

Madonna looks set to notch up her 12th UK number one album, knocking Noel Gallagher off the top of the charts.

Rebel Heart is outselling the current number one from Gallagher's High Flying Birds by three copies to one after just 24 hours on sale, the Official Charts Company says.

Chasing Yesterday is High Flying Birds' second album and landed straight in at number one last weekend.

Madonna performed Living For Love, her new single from Rebel Heart, at the Brits when she tumbled in front of millions of viewers after getting caught up in her cape.

The Queen of Pop's previous number one albums include Like A Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), Like A Prayer (1989), Hard Candy (2008) and MDNA (2012).

She recently announced a tour in Europe and North America, Australia and Asia.

From AP Via Yahoo! News


Video: Madonna on The Today Show (Part 1)

While Madonna may be the Queen of Pop, the 56-year-old superstar is - first and foremost - a mother to her four children, Lourdes, Mercy, Rocco and David.

So, in addition to preparing for the release of her forthcoming album Rebel Heart, the singer is also busy making sure 18-year-old daughter Lourdes is taken care of during her first year of college at the University of Michigan (Madge's alma matter) and, as the best-selling recording artist admits, 'I'm very mom.'

'I'm very, you know, worried,' the iconic performer told Today's Carson Daly when she stopped by the morning show to promote her upcoming record. 'Are you OK? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating right?' You know, I set up a humidifier in her room with eucalyptus oil. I was worried about the fact that she didn't have enough towels, Q-tips, you know.'

Still, while she may be able to relate to the average college mom, the hitmaker does keep her distance in order to have the spotlight on her daughter.

Asked whether she visits the university, the proud mama replied, 'Of course' before admitting, 'I'm not allowed at games. You think my daughter wants me at a game?'

From: uk.eonline.com/news


Week #2 ICON Rebel Heart Tour Pre-sales

The launch of Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour ticket sales was nothing short of stellar! Now get yourself ready for week 2 pre-sale events that feature cities in North America and Europe. If your city is on the list, then secure your Icon Live Pass to access our exclusive pre-sales!

WEEK #2 ICON PRE-SALE SCHEDULE:
START: TUE., MARCH 10 @ 10AM LOCAL TIMES END: WED., MARCH 11 @ 5PM LOCAL TIMES
Live Pass access codes (with prefix 'MRHB') expire on March 11th @ 5pm PT. Codes with prefix 'MRHA' are no longer valid. Information from www.madonna.com

Rebelheart_presale_weektwo_news

Madonna unveils renegade, romantic sides in new album

Madonna proves her staying power as a creative force and an enduring pop icon with her new album, 'Rebel Heart,' her 13th studio release that also shows her renegade and softer sides.

It is a revealing portrait of the Material Girl, showing the Grammy-winning singer as a trail-blazer and provocateur but also someone who is sensitive, reflective and outsider.

Madonna, 56, told Reuters that the album's title 'Rebel Heart' reflected her original intent to make a two-sided record featuring 10 songs on each.

'One side was going to be the more rebellious, provocative, envelope pushing part of me and the other side was going to be the more romantic, vulnerable side and they end up getting all mushed together,' she said.

'Rebel Heart' is her first album since 2012's 'MDNA,' which shot to the top of the Billboard 200 chart. It is also somewhat autobiographical with tracks like 'Veni Vidi Vici,' which chronicles her career, and personal, revealing feelings of insecurity, heart ache and loss.

The album's 19 tracks includes lush, lyrical ballads, such as 'Devil Pray,' 'Ghosttown' and 'Joan of Arc' that ponder the meaning of life, breakups and love.

'Each time they write a hateful word/Dragging my soul into the dirt/I wanna die/Never admit it but it hurts,' she says in 'Joan of Arc.'

But Madonna also lets loose with catchy dance numbers including 'Living for Love' and 'Unapologetic Bitch,' a collaboration with Grammy-nominated American DJ Diplo.

'He likes to make people get up out of their seat and dance and so do it,' she said about Diplo.

'Living for Love,' the lead single has a thumping disco beat with lyrics about the heartache of a parting and picking herself up to find love again.

Madonna returns to themes of sex and religion, which she said she finds infinitely interesting topics.

'They are as important to people as they are misunderstood,' she explained. 'They both bring a lot of light into the world and a lot of darkness. For those reasons, I like to explore them.'

For 'Rebel Heart,' Madonna collaborated with rapper Kanye West on four songs, Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, American producer and songwriter Toby Gad, among others. West, rappers Nas and Nicki Minaj and boxer Mike Tyson also lent their vocals on tracks.

Madonna will support 'Rebel Heart' with an international tour beginning in Miami on Aug. 29.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News