MDNA

Madonna Lands 2012'S Best-selling Album In Russia

Madonna may have caused controversy during her trip to Russia this year but her headline-grabbing antics helped her land the country's best-selling album of 2012.
The pop superstar's latest record Mdna has been named number one in the Russian end-of-year album chart, ahead of British singer Adele and her super-selling hit 21 and Lana Del Rey with Born To Die, who landed at four and five on the countdown respectively, according to Lenta.ru.
Madonna took her MDNA tour to Russia in August and she was subsequently hit with a $10.5 million (£6.5 million) lawsuit by activists who claimed she illegally promoted homosexuality at her show in St. Petersburg by handing out pink wristbands in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (Lgbt) community.
The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.
Madonna also hit headlines in Russia in 2012 by speaking out in support of members of punk band Pussy Riot who were jailed for performing a song railing against President Vladimir Putin in February.

From contactmusic.com


'MDNA' #2 Billboard Dance/Electronic Album of 2012

'MDNA' ranks #2 for the year on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Album Year End chart compilation,which are ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen Sounscan.

The Top Ten are as follows:

1) 'Sorry For The Party Rocking' / LMFAO
2) 'MDNA' / Madonna
3) 'Bangarang' (EP) / Skrillex
4) 'Born This Way' / Lady Gaga
5) 'Nothing But The Beat' / David Guetta
6) 'The Path of Totality' / Korn
7) 'Scary Monster and Nice Sprites (EP)' / Skrillex
8) 'Wild Ones' / Flo rida
9) 'Hurry,Were Dreaming' / M83
10)'4x4=12' / deadmus5

From Billboard.com - thanks to Micheal


Madonna Notches 43rd No. 1 on Dance/Club Play Songs

Madonna earns her record-extending 43rd No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart, as 'Turn Up the Radio' lifts 2-1. (The ranking will refresh on Billboard.com Thursday, Aug. 30.)
'Radio' is Madonna's third Dance/Club Play Songs No. 1 from 'MDNA,' which bowed atop the Billboard 200 the week of April 14. 'Give Me All Your Luvin',' featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., led the week of March 31, while 'Girl Gone Wild' reached No. 1 just three weeks later.
'Radio' is headed for radio, too: Interscope Records begins seeking airplay for the song at mainstream top 40 stations on Sept. 25.
With her 43rd leading title on Dance/Club Play Songs, Madonna pulls further away from runner-up Janet Jackson, who has 19. Beyonce and Rihanna follow with 18 No. 1s each, trailed by Kristine W (16) and Mariah Carey (15).
Looking forward, with one more No. 1 on Dance/Club Play Songs, the Material Girl would claim even more historic honors.
Upon her latest coronation, Madonna is now one No. 1 away from tying George Strait's record for the most toppers on any single Billboard chart. The King of Country has sat at the Country Songs chart's throne with 44 titles between 1981 and 2009. With one more No. 1 on Dance/Club Play Songs, the Queen of Pop would tie Strait for unmatched Billboard chart royalty.
Given her multi-format appeal, as opposed to Strait's status as a country-exclusive act (and an unparalleled one, at that), Madonna leads not only Strait but also all artists for the most No. 1s on all Billboard charts combined. With 'Radio' ruling Dance/Club Play Songs, Madonna logs her record-extending 156th leader on an active, current-based domestic Billboard survey.

From www.billboard.com


Madonna's 57th Billboard Top 10 Dance Club Hit

Madonna extends her lead as the act with the most top 10s on the Dance Club/Play Songs chart as 'Turn Up the Radio' zooms 19-8 in its third chart week - marking the diva's 57th top 10.
It's her 28th top 10 in a row - a streak that began with 1999's 'Beautiful Stranger' (No. 1 for two weeks). 'Turn Up the Radio' bowed at No. 39, and then moved to No. 19 before sailing to No. 8 this week.
Further, 'Turn Up the Radio's' swift rise to the top 10 is especially notable. Since 2010, only six songs have jumped into the region in three weeks or less - and three of them are by Madonna. Aside from 'Turn Up the Radio,' she also sped into the top 10 earlier this year in three weeks time with 'Girl Gone Wild' (46-20-7 on April 7) and 'Give Me All Your Luvin' (in only two weeks: 24-9 on March 10).

From www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat


Madonna confirms release date for 'Turn Up the Radio'

Madonna has confirmed the release date for her next single 'Turn Up the Radio'.
The third single from her MDNA collection will be released on August 5 through Interscope in the UK.
The track was confirmed as her next single following 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' and 'Girl Gone Wild' last month.
It is co-produced by Madonna and French electronic DJ Martin Solveig.
Madonna filmed the accompanying music video for the single last month in Florence, Italy.

From Digital Spy


Smirnoff VIP Limited Edition 'Tag' Version

Fans in the UK who are still having trouble locating an 'Experience Madonna' limited-edition Smirnoff bottle can try and get their hands on this version that is stocked exclusively in Tescos.
It does not come in the presentation box but only with a tag attached - although the tag does give you a code to access the special content website.


Mika on Madonna hook-up: 'She wasn't asking for my opinion'

Mika has said that the first time he heard Madonna's 'Gang Bang' was when the record was released.
The singer-songwriter penned the original version 'Bang Bang' with Priscilla Rene but the track ended up on Madonna's latest album MDNA.
'Madonna heard the song because William Orbit presented it to her and I didn't know,' Mika told wotyougot.
'As far as I was concerned it was just a song I was writing for myself. Madonna liked it and recorded her version and in the end she adapted it.'
'I was never in the studio with Madonna. The song got changed countless times and in the end it was called 'Gang Bang' - probably because there were so many people who worked on it!'
He added: 'It's kind of cool - It's my favourite thing off that last record. It's kind of grown up in a weird sort of way. It's got this bitterness about it, which is kind of cool to hear.'
'I heard the finished product along with everyone else. She certainly wasn't asking for my opinion. I don't think she was interested!'

From Digital Spy


William Orbit Reveals How He Wishes Album Would Have Fared

Hopes that Madonna would re-claim her pop crown from Lady Gaga with 'MDNA' were dashed when the album plunged on the charts shortly after its March release - a victim of weak single choices and, some say, a lack of promotion on the Material Girl's part.
Now one high-profile producer is opening up about the experience on Facebook, saying he wishes 'MDNA' would've turned out differently and blaming the album's failure on rush marketing and timing.
'[Madonna] was on form and better than ever with her singing and writing and musicality, and was having a great time,' writes William Orbit, who previously collaborated with the pop star on her 1998 album 'Ray of Light,' which won four Grammy awards. 'We had songs lined up that were breathtaking.'
But then, from the sounds of it, things turned sour. After one fan comments on Orbit's page, noting that 'most people are writing off' the album and accusing Madonna's record company Interscope of 'gradually destroying' her career, the producer notes, 'All I will say is that certain thoughts about it that I see expressed online by committed fans such as yourself, were blindingly obvious to me from the very get go, well before the release.' He continues: 'But you won't see me exactly jumping up and down with delight over the way that things have panned out...we were very pushed for time.'
He doesn't mince words when it comes to working with Madonna herself, either, noting the 'various pressing commitments that took up the artist's limited time, such as perfume ranges and teen fashion contests and other such endeavors which are beyond my own limited understanding of pop star agendas.'
Claiming that he would 'lie down in the mud if she didn't want to get her shoes messed up,' he adds, 'It's hard to be an effective knight when your hands are bound.'
'The thing about having little appetite for riches and fame, and no great tower of expectations, you haven't got anything to be taken away,' he observes. 'And having always been an outsider, outside in the cold, It's always clear which way the wind is blowing.'

From www.huffingtonpost.com


'Girl Gone Wild' released in the UK

'Girl Gone Wild' had it's official UK release this week - here are the details on where you can buy the various formats available.

CD Single (Amazon): www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Gone-Wild-Madonna

CD Single (HMV): hmv.com/hmvweb

12" Picture Disc (Amazon): www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Gone-Wild-12-VINYL

Remixes (iTunes): itunes.apple.com/gb/album/girl-gone-wild-remixes

Remixes (7Digital): www.7digital.com/artist/madonna/release/girl-gone-wild-2

Thanks to Ben


William Orbit: 'A splendid frenzy'

William Orbit had clubbers at the Kee Club in a 'splendid frenzy' with a 15 minute mix of 'Gang Bang' as his latest facebook status update says:

Played my alternative version of Gang Bang at the Kee Club. Then the album version, then the alternative again.
Back to back.
15 minutes of Gang Bangin. A splendid frenzy. Had only played it to M and a few other friends so far and wanted to see how it would go down in a club.
In in honour of that steamy joy ride I will HAVE to call it the Kee Club mix!


Nicki Minaj: 'I didn't realise Madonna knew about me'

In just over two years, Nicki Minaj has gone from releasing free mixtapes online to becoming one of the most successful female rappers in music history.
So when Digital Spy got the call to go and interview the star, you can imagine that our list of questions was as long as one of her fabulous multi-coloured wigs.
With our precious five minutes we decided to talk about the pressures of being a female rapper in a male-dominated industry, what it was like working with Madonna and whether she has any more plans for gay male alter-ego Roman Zolanski outside of the music. Watch Digital Spy's interview with Nicki Minaj below:

From Digital Spy


'Girl Gone Wild' remixes available on US iTunes

Madonna's 'Girl Gone Wild' remixes are now available for purchase in the US iTunes store. They include:

1. Madonna vs. Avicii - Avicii's UMF Mix
2. Dave Aude Remix
3. Justin Cognito Remix
4. Kim Fai Remix
5. Lucky Date Remix
6. Offer Nissim Remix
7. Dada Life Remix
8. Rebirth Remix

Fans should remember to please purchase the songs all SEPARATELY rather than as the bundled 'album' because the album purchase only counts as one song purchased rather than 8 songs. Since 'Girl Gone Wild' premiered this past week on the Billboard Pop Songs chart (at Number 38), it is important to continue to support the single in an effort to see it hopefully premiere on the Hot 100 soon...which it has yet to do.

Thanks to Chad, David and Tepster


'MDNA' Sales Drop: 'The game ain't over'

Keith Caufield at Billboard reports and sensibly explains the 'record-breaking sales drop' that is being reported all over the press about 'MDNA':

This week, Madonna's 'MDNA' earns the distinction of the largest second-week percentage sales drop for a No. 1-debuting album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. The album slides from No. 1 to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 with a 86.7% sales decline (falling from 359,000 to 48,000 according to SoundScan).
The percentage dip surpasses the record set by Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way,' when it fell 84.27% in its second week on the chart dated June 18, 2011.
'MDNA's' large fall was expected, as its debut was bolstered by sales gained from a concert ticket/album promotion as well as preorders from iTunes. Further, without a current hit single on our major airplay charts nor any substantial recent promotion on Madonna's part, the drop was bound to be significant.
Both 'MDNA' and 'Born This Way' would have not had such steep drops, had it not been for unusually enhanced first-week sales.
Most superstar albums that start at or near the top of the chart fall by 60% to 80% in their second week. And, high-debuting sets that are especially front-loaded by pre-orders, niche fanbases or unusual marketing campaigns take harder hits.
In terms of recent promotion, Madonna has basically been off the radar, instead focusing her energy on rehearsals for her upcoming world tour. Since headlining the Feb. 5 Super Bowl halftime show, her only significant recent media appearances have been via a live Facebook chat with Jimmy Fallon (March 24) and a brief drop-in at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami the same night.
Guy Oseary, Madonna's manager, tweeted in response to a fan's question last night, saying '...I wish we could have done TV last week but we were in rehearsals morning and night. 7 more weeks to show time...'

Liz Rosenberg has also commented on this sales drop by saying:
It still has had the highest debut of 2012 and was number one in many countries. And the game ain't over.


'MDNA' certified Gold in Japan

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (or 'RIAJ') has just released their hard copy sales certifications for the month of March.

Madonna's 'MDNA' was the only non-Japanese music album to be certified Gold.

This certification is based on the total numbers of CDs sold to retailers - a Gold award is handed out by the RIAJ for 100,000 units sold.


Smirnoff launches Madonna MDNA Nightlife UK campaign

Smirnoff is rolling out the next stage in its partnership with Madonna in the UK, with a limited edition on-pack promotion and major marketing campaign, as part of its ongoing Nightlife Exchange Project activity.
To mark the launch of Madonna's latest album, 'MDNA', the Diageo-owned vodka brand is offering a 'VIP access card' on limited-edition packs, giving fans access to a free remixed track to download on Facebook, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Madonna and the opportunity to win tickets to see her in concert.
Smirnoff announced that a remixed Nightlife Edition of ‘MDNA’ album would be available to buy from Facebook for US users for $3.50 (£2.20) in March. UK residents will have the opportunity to download the album from Facebook in the coming weeks.
In May, it will roll out a TV ad by JWT to promote the album, as well as using PR and digital activity.
Smirnoff rolled out its global Nightlife Exchange marketing initiative in September 2010, discovering and celebrating the best nightlife from around the world. It signed up Madonna to front the campaign in August last year.

From marketingmagazine.co.uk


Madonna gets 42nd #1 on Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart

Madonna earns her record-extending 42nd No. 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart, as 'Girl Gone Wild' zips 4-1. (All charts will be refreshed Thursday (April 12) on Billboard.com).
The song is the second topper from Madonna's 12th studio album, 'MDNA,' which bowed atop the Billboard 200 last week with 359,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Just three weeks ago, the set's first single, 'Give Me All Your Luvin',' featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., reached the chart's summit.
The speedy return to the survey's top spot grants Madonna her quickest span of back-to-back No. 1s. She had previously linked faster consecutive No. 1s when 'Vogue' ruled just seven weeks after 'Keep It Together' in 1990.
Madonna extends her lead for the most No. 1s in the Dance/Club Play Songs chart's 35-year history, pulling further away from runner-up Janet Jackson, who has 19. Beyonce follows with 18 No. 1s, trailed by Rihanna (17), Kristine W (16), Mariah Carey (16) and Whitney Houston (15).

From Billboard.com - thanks to Micheal


Madonna's album gets gold in India

Material Girl Madonna’s latest album ‘MDNA’ has in the first week of its release shipped Gold in India.
'The album debuted straight in at #1 on the national Planet M retail charts and is now the fastest selling international album in the India this year,' said an official spokesperson.
Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director, Universal Music India and SAARC, said, 'Its tough to speak about a diva like Madonna. She is the epitome of everything music stands for and has been for the last two decades.'
''MDNA' is a record that will excite the oldest Madonna fans as it will excite the youth with her eclectic mix of electronica and new world pop.
'The fact that she can still achieve GOLD status on launch itself proves that she is and will continue to be the real pop diva of our times.'
The album is flying off the shelves not only in India but across the world. In the UK, MDNA’s No. 1 spot gives Madonna the most No. 1 albums of all (12) by a solo artist - surpassing Elvis Presley, and only behind The Beatles, who have had 15 No. 1 albums there.
In Japan, MDNA is her 22nd Top Ten album passing The Beatles record of 19Top Ten albums. MDNA entered their Oricon international charts at No. 1.
Moreover, it’s the 8th time Madonna has returned to the top of the Billboard’s Pop Charts with MDNA selling a phenomenal 359,000 albums according to Neilsen Soundscan and is the biggest selling first week debut this year.

From newKerala.com


'MDNA' gives Madonna biggest album debut of 2012

Madonna scored her eighth number-one on the Billboard Top 200 album chart with her latest release, 'MDNA.'
According to Nielsen SoundScan, the 53-year-old pop icon sold 359,000 units, giving her the biggest album debut of 2012.
This also marks the Material Girl's fifth consecutive studio album to reach the top of the charts.
Billboard's Keith Caulfied says the only female with more number-one albums is Barbra Streisand with nine.
Although Madonna showcased her first single, 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' in a slicky-produced halftime show at the Super Bowl in February, she's kept a low profile in the weeks leading up to the album's release. She made a brief surprise visit to Miami's Ultra Festival on March 24. The only interview she gave in support of 'MDNA' was a live Facebook chat with Jimmy Fallon.
But album sales did receive an additional boost by fans who bought tickets to her upcoming world tour, which kicks off May 29 with two shows in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ticket-buyers were given an option to purchase the album in a bundle with their concert tickets. These album sales were folded into the SoundScan tally.
By contrast, veteran pop star Lionel Richie landed at number-two on this week's Billboard Top 200 with his new album, 'Tuskegee,' which was heavily promoted on television and sold 199,000 units.

From edition.cnn.com - thanks to Jonathan


Madonna enters Last.fm singles chart with 'Girl Gone Wild'

Belgian-Australian musician Gotye maintains his hold on the top spot in the Last.fm international singles chart with his massive international hit track 'Somebody That I Used to Know.' American pop star Madonna enters the chart with a hit track from her latest album, MDNA, while American indie starlet Lana Del Rey holds two spots with her hit album Born to Die.
Madonna released her 12th studio album, MDNA, via Interscope Records, March 26. The single 'Girl Gone Wild,' which she unveiled in early March, climbs into the tenth spot in the Last.fm chart for with week ending April 1, with 30,871 listeners. So far, MDNA has peaked at number one in nine countries, including the UK and Australia.

Last.fm's top tracks for March 25-April 1:

1. Gotye - 'Somebody That I Used to Know' (68,668 listeners) (no change)
2. Adele - 'Rolling in the Deep' (39,189 listeners) (no change)
3. Coldplay - 'Paradise' (38,684 listeners) (+1)
4. Lana Del Rey - 'Born to Die' (37,895 listeners) (no change)
5. Foster the People - 'Pumped Up Kicks' (37,516 listeners) (no change)
6. Lana Del Rey - 'Video Games' (35,672 listeners) (no change)
7. M83 - 'Midnight City' (35,507 listeners) (+1)
8. Rihanna - 'We Found Love' featuring Calvin Harris (31,890 listeners) (+1)
9. The Shins - 'Simple Song' (31,030 listeners) (-2)
10. Madonna - 'Girl Gone Wild' (30,871 listeners) (new)

Last.fm claims more than 40 million active users based in more than 200 countries. Available in 12 languages, the site's radio service is free for desktop computer users in the UK, the US, and Germany; mobile devices require a subscription of €3 a month to stream music.
Using a system called 'scrobbling,' Last.fm's charts measure everything its users listen to through the Last.fm website as well as hundreds of other music sites and services, including iTunes, Spotify, and The Hype Machine.

From AFP Relax News Via Yahoo! News


Madonna Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200

Madonna scores her eighth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with the debut of her 'MDNA,' while Lionel Richie's all-star country collaborations covers album 'Tuskegee' bows in the runner-up slot - his highest-charting album since 1986.
Madonna remains in second place among women with the most No. 1 albums. She now needs only one more No. 1 to tie Barbra Streisand, the leader among women with nine chart-toppers.
'MDNA' sold 359,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan, and is Madonna's fifth straight studio album to debut at No. 1. It follows 2008's 'Hard Candy,' which moved 280,000 in its first week. 'MDNA's' opener is her best sales week since 2000's 'Music' shifted 420,000 when it debuted at No. 1.

From Billboard.com - thanks to Michael


Madonna's MDNA tops the Australian music charts

Madonna has confirmed her status as the most successful female act in Australian chart history.
Her new album MDNA became her 10th album that reached No.1 in Australia yesterday.
She is now third in the list of artists with the most No.1 albums in Australia.
The Beatles are first with 14 chart toppers, then U2 with 11, Madonna on 10, Jimmy Barnes with nine while John Farnham and Bon Jovi each have eight No.1 albums.
MDNA also topped the charts in Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Taiwan.
The Australian album sales follow the surprisingly lukewarm response to the first two singles Give Me All Your Luvin (which peaked at No.25) and Girl Gone Wild, which debuted at No.93 this week.
The superstar will tour Australia early next year.

From the Adelaide Now / Herald Sun


Madonna Set For Big Billboard 200 Debut

Madonna's 12th studio album, 'MDNA,' is on course to easily debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart next week. Industry sources suggest the set could sell between 300,000 to 350,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, April 1.
If 'MDNA' lands atop the list, it will mark the queen of pop's eighth No. 1 album and her fifth consecutive studio set to debut in the penthouse. Her last studio album, 2008's 'Hard Candy,' started at No. 1 with 280,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, April 4.
Madonna's first No. 1 came on the Billboard 200 chart dated Feb. 9, 1985, when her second album, 'Like a Virgin,' began a three-week run at the top.
'MDNA's' first week will be bolstered by a successful album sales promotion involving Madonna's upcoming world tour. U.S. customers who bought a concert ticket also had the option of also receiving 'MDNA' as part of their purchase. The only sales that will count towards Billboard's charts are those where the customer opted to receive the album.

From Billboard.com