Today in Madonna History: March 12, 2003

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On March 12 2003, Warner Bros. issued a press release for Madonna’s American Life album:

A new Madonna album, American Life, has been set for a worldwide release on April 22nd.

The enduring icon’s first new collection of original material since 2000’s multi-platinum smash Music, American Life is being hailed as Madonna’s most accomplished, original and intensely personal album to date; a resonant and revealing emotional journey that marks a new highpoint in a career that has for all time redefined the expressive potential of contemporary music.

Recorded over a full year in London and Los Angeles, American Life, the artist’s tenth studio album, features eleven new Madonna compositions, including the title track and debut single, which ships to radio March 25th.

“All of these songs reflect my current state of mind. I feel like I have just woken up out of a dream. They range from dismay and anger to joy and certainty. Hopefully, I have taken the personal and made it universal,” stated Madonna regarding her new album which she wrote and produced with Mirwais Ahmadzai with whom she also collaborated on her previous release Music.

The American Life CD includes the title track, as well as the following songs: Hollywood, I’m So Stupid, Love Profusion, Nobody Knows Me, Nothing Fails, Intervention, X-Static Process, Mother & Father, Easy Ride, and Die Another Day, the hit theme song from the James Bond film of the same name.

The American Life single is also the subject of a brilliant new video from the pioneering multi-media visionary, an artist who single handedly invented the short music film medium. In a stunning collaboration with director Jonas Akerlund, American Life expresses a panoramic view of our culture and looming war through the view of a female superhero portrayed by Madonna set against a backdrop of current cultural obsessions. It’s a penetrating examination of our national psyche. The video is scheduled to air the first week in April.

Remixes of the American Life single by, among others, mega-hot hip hop diva Missy Elliott, Peter Rauhofer, Felix da Housecat and Maverick Records artist Paul Oakenfold will be available in various configurations over the next several months.

An extensive schedule of appearances, performances and special events has been set in conjunction with the release of American Life including an appearance on an episode of the hit NBC-TV comedy Will And Grace.

One of the most original and innovative artists of the modern era, Madonna has sold hundreds of millions of albums, topped charts across two decades, created an enormously influential body of work in video and film and stood at the forefront of socially conscious artists worldwide. With American Life, Madonna has once again reached deeply into her own life as the source and substance of her extraordinary artistry.

Today in Madonna History: January 21, 2015

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On January 21 2015, Madonna’s publicist Liz Rosenberg released the following press release for Rebel Heart:

NEW YORKJan. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Madonna’s 13th studio album Rebel Heart will be released March 10th on Interscope Records. Six of the album’s songs were released over the holiday following a leak of unfinished cuts from the Material Girl’s highly anticipated collection of new songs. Upon their release, several of those songs debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in 49 countries. Two additional songs will be available with a preorder of the album on iTunes on February 9th. Fans that preordered Rebel Heart in December will have the two additional songs automatically delivered to them. To preorder Rebel Heart visit iTunes.com/Madonna.

Rebel Heart explores two very distinct sides of my personality, the rebellious renegade side of me and the romantic side of me” commented Madonna recently in Billboard. The new album features collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Nas, Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson and was recorded in NY, LA and London. Producers include Madonna, Diplo, Kanye West, Billboard, Avicii, DJ Dahi and Blood Diamonds, Ryan Tedder, Toby Gad, and Ariel Rechtshald.

Madonna who has received 8 Grammy Awards® will perform on the 57th Annual Grammy Awards® on Sunday, February 8th.

The six released cuts of Rebel Heart have already received critical acclaim:

“They won’t experience Madonna the celebrity or Madonna the fashion statement but the Madonna who has kept us listening for decades: Madonna the musician,” – Jon Pareles  NY Times

“It’s great to see the music icon back on top where she belongs. Everything out so far is genius.”  The Sun, UK

“The best tracks fit perfectly into her history of impeccably-produced pop,” Jim Farber, NY Daily News

Four remixes of the single Living for Love were serviced last week to to DJs and clubs and are currently available on Madonna’s Youtube channel.

The four new mixes include:

Offer Nissim Living for Drama Remix 7:15:

Dirty Pop Remix 4:58:

THRILL Remix 5:11:

Mike Rizzo’s Funk Generation Club 7:03:

Track List for Rebel Heart

01 – Living For Love
02 – Devil Pray
03 – Ghosttown
04 – Unapologetic Bitch
05 – Illuminati
06 – Bitch I’m Madonna (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
07 – Hold Tight
08 – Joan Of Arc
09 – Iconic (Feat. Chance The Rapper & Mike Tyson)
10 – HeartBreakCity
11 – Body Shop
12 – Holy Water
13 – Inside Out
14 – Wash All Over Me
15 – Best Night
16 – Veni Vidi Vici (Feat. Nas)
17 – S.E.X.
18 – Messiah
19 – Rebel Heart

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Today In Madonna History: October 5, 2001

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On October 5 2001, Warner Bros Records announced that Madonna would release GHV2 – a new greatest hits album of 15 songs from 1991-2001.

Designed as a follow-up to her massively successful 1990 hits compilation, The Immaculate Collection, it featured no new songs – reportedly due to Madonna’s hectic schedule – although residual tensions between Madonna and her label at the time may have also played into the decision. Instead, various remix artists were commissioned to create a series of promotional mega-mixes to promote the release.