[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

She didn't stop there
Her Hindu-styled performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1998 drew ire from the World Vaishnava Association. "The essence of purity and divinity is non-judgment," Madonna hit back. "They should practice what they preach. If they're so pure, why are they watching MTV?"

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

She became a cowgirl

Her 2000 album Music incorporated a country theme, with Madonna donning jeans, shirts and cowboy hats for the video's and promotional tour.

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Still, it wasn’t totally all American—her video for "What It Feels Like for a Girl" showed Madonna on a vandalism spree, and was banned by MTV and VH-1...

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Showing perseverance in the face of critics

Madonna has always been open about her desire to be a movie star, and kept acting despite negative comments from critics. She finally threw in the towel after starring in 2002 movie Swept Away, directed by her husband Guy Ritchie. The film bombed after receiving terrible reviews. "I hate to admit it, but I've decided to give [acting] up,” she later said.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

She became a cultural critic herself

Her ninth album, American Life, was released in 2003. In it, Madonna critiqued the American Dream and materialism, and modelled her outfits on Che Guevara. The album received mixed reviews, and didn't do well in a post-9/11 climate of patriotism.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

That infamous kiss

Long before Katy Perry and her peers were flirting with bisexuality, Madonna’s kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on stage at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards instantly went down in pop culture history.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

When she became an English children’s book author

Madonna had married British film director guy Ritchie in 2000, and published her children’s book The English Roses in 2003.

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Popularising aerobics instructor chic

Her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, was released in 2005. The cover and subsequent music videos featured Madonna in a set of disco-meets-aerobics leotards. Billboard said that Confessions was a "welcome return to form for the Queen of Pop.”

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Taking on religious symbolism… again

During the tour for Confessions, Madonna used Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious symbols in her performance. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia condemned the tour, calling it “frivolous and amoral.”

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Becoming an Earth Mother

In 2006, Madonna travelled to Malawi to adopt a boy from an orphanage, who she named David Banda. Controversy followed when it was discovered that David still had a father, who originally contested the adoption. She later adopted three more Malawian children.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Advocating for Malawi

After her adoption, Madonna founded the charity “Raising Malawi” and directed a documentary about the country’s issues, titled I Am Because We Are.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Diversifying her brand

In 2007, Madonna collaborated with fashion giant H&M to release the line “M by Madonna,” followed by a sunglasses range with Dolce & Gabbana in 2010. She collaborated with daughter Lourdes on the teen fashion brand “Material Girl”, inspired by Madonna’s 1980s style.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Moving into film direction

Madonna directed her first feature film, Filth and Wisdom (pictured), in 2008 followed by 2011’s W.E. Both films received mixed reviews.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Embracing hip-hop

Madonna collaborated with Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams for her 2008 album Hard Candy, which saw the singer adopt a hip-hop influenced sound. Unbelievably, Madonna had originally shot a cover image in blackface as a reference to the Black Madonna, the depictions of the Virgin Mary with dark skin. Wisely, these photos were canned by her manager.

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Building a fitness empire

Madonna opened a chain of fitness centres across the world, called Hard Candy Fitness. A DVD series, Addicted to Sweat, was released in 2012.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Embracing EDM

Madonna worked with European DJs Benny Benassi and Martin Solveig to get an EDM sound for her 2012 album MDNA. The title, a nod to party drug MDMA, was condemned by anti-drug campaigners.

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Becoming a Rebel

Madonna took on her own rebellious side on 2015 album Rebel Heart, which featured her face wrapped in black ropes on the cover. She again incorporated EDM and added flavours of hip-hop and trap.

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Taking on ageism

After being named “Woman of the Year” by Billboard in 2016, Madonna was praised for her blunt, honest speech in which she called out the "blatant sexism and misogyny" which she faced. “Do not age,” she added, “because to age is a sin. You will be criticized and vilified and definitely not played on the radio.” In a phrase which could sum up her whole career, she said: “In life there is no real safety except for self-belief."

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[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Inspiring multiple generations of female artists

Almost every subsequent female pop star, from Britney Spears to Rihanna and Katy Perry has cited Madonna as an influence. She minted the now well-known blueprint of career autonomy and re-invention, which hadn’t previously existed to the same extent for female pop stars.

Madonna and Britney:


Madonna and Christina:


Madonna and Rihanna:


Madonna and Katy Perry:


Madonna and Miley Cyrus:


Madonna and Beyonce:


Madonna and Taylor Swift:


Madonna and Rita Ora:


and of course, Madonna and Nicki Minaj:

[Nancy.]

....How Madonna Defined Pop Culture (Continued)

Smashing records

Madonna is the richest female musician in America, and Forbes say she’s made an estimated $1.4 billion from touring alone—the most ever. Guinness World Records says she’s the best-selling female recording artist of all time. She also holds the record for the most number one hits on all combined Billboard charts.

[Nancy.]

HAPPY 60TH, MADONNA - QUEEN OF LIFE!

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[LaLaLand]

HBD Madge!

Must do a portrait of her, can't believe I haven't drawn her yet!

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by Jonnii

HBD Madge!

Must do a portrait of her, can't believe I haven't drawn her yet!

You should send it to her. Are you a fan of her music?

[bitontheslide]

Happy 60th Madge

She's had more UK number one albums than any other female artist
Twelve of Madonna's albums have hit the number one spot. Only the Beatles and Elvis Presley can boast more.

She's had more singles in the top five than any other female artist
Madonna's had 46 singles make the top five in the UK charts - only Elvis has had more.

[Livia]

Hard to believe she's 60! Queen of Pop - Happy Birthday.

[Nicky91]

happy birthday Queen of Pop and still going strong wow