On March 1 2015, Madonna visited Italian talk show, Che tempo che fa, as part of her promotional tour for the Rebel Heart album.In addition to an interview with host Fabio Fazio, she performed Devil Pray for the first time, along with the album’s second single, Ghosttown.
Madonna’s appearance on the show aired on March 8th.
On January 29 2015, Rob Sheffield reviewed Madonna’s Unapologetic Bitch for Rolling Stone magazine’s singles review section (even though it was never released as a single):
Bitch, she’s Madonna. The queen of queens has given a taste of her upcoming album, Rebel Heart, with a few songs dropped in advance after an early leak of unfinished versions. And the girl’s in a feisty mood these days – Madonna writing herself a theme song called “Unapologetic Bitch” is like Springsteen doing one called “Jersey Guy Who Sweats a Lot.” These new songs range from the Nicki Minaj collabo “Bitch I’m Madonna” to the gospel-house pieties of “Living for Love” to the Yeezus-style industrial Kanye grind “Illuminati.” But “Unapologetic Bitch” is the standout: a breakup rant over a Diplo-produced dancehall groove, with Madonna shooting a few poison arrows into the heart of some dude who’s done her wrong.
On January 21 2015, an undercover investigation by the Internet crime unit of Israel’s anti-fraud police resulted in the arrest of a Tel Aviv man suspected of hacking into Madonna’s home computer, stealing unreleased music and selling the tracks online.
The investigation began after a complaint by Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary. With the cooperation of the FBI, the hack was found to be larger in scale and involved more musicians than just Madonna.
An expert in Internet crime was sent to New York City to inspect Madonna’s computers, where he confirmed a hack originating in Israel. Police searched the suspect’s home, seizing computers and media storage devices.
Madonna had this to say about the Rebel Heart album leaks incident:
“I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker. I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life – creatively, professionally, and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime.”
On January 2 2015, the negative reaction to Madonna’s controversial social media postings (and repostings of her fans) of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus Christ, Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe wearing the Rebel Heart ribbon/tape prompted Madonna to make the following statement on her social media channels:
I’m sorry
I’m not comparing my self to anyone
I’m admiring and acknowledging their Rebel Hearts
This is neither a crime or an insult or racist!
I also did it with Michael Jackson and Frida Kahlo and Marilyn Monroe
Am I saying I am them
NO
I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too
And
I didn’t do it
My fans did
And I just re-posted those photos
My fans aren’t racist either
If they put me in the same category as these other people
Thank you. I’m very flattered and I hope one day to live up to 1/100th of what those people accomplished. – Madonna
Madonna You Can Be a #Rebelheart But Leave Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley And Martin Luther Out Of It
On July 30 2015, Billboard announced that Madonna’s single Bitch I’m Madonna would hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart for the issue dated August 15 2015. It would become Madonna’s 46th #1 on the club chart and her third consecutive chart-topper from the Rebel Heart album.
Rebel Heart was Madonna’s second consecutive album to have all of its North American singles reach #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Aside from Rebel Heart and MDNA, her other studio albums that achieved this feat are Music, American Life (excluding promo-only chart makers Nobody Knows Me and Mother And Father which peaked at #4 and #9 respectively) and Confessions On A Dance Floor.
On July 24 2015, Hold Tight was released as a promotional single for the Rebel Heart album in Italy.
Hold Tight was written by Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Maureen McDonald, Toby Gad, Uzoechi Emenike and Philip Meckseper and produced by Madonna with backing vocals by MNEK.
Lyrics:
A million miles later
We walked through the valley of the darkest night
We made it through the fire
We’re scarred and we’re bruised but our hearts will guide us
Together
I know our love’s gonna last forever
We’re gonna be alright
Tonight
We’ll live with no limits
We’ll dance in the middle of the freezing rain
With you and I in it
Survive the eye of the hurricane
Together
We’re gonna make this better
We’re gonna be alright tonight
Hold tight
As long as you’re by my side
Hold tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Only love, only love tonight
Lights off, we’re burning so bright
Hold tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
A million miles later
We walked through the valley of the darkest night
We made it through the fire
We’re scarred and we’re bruised but our hearts will guide us
Together
I know our love’s gonna last forever
We’re gonna be alright
Tonight
Hold tight
As long as you’re by my side
Hold tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Only love, only love tonight
Lights off, we’re burning so bright
Hold tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
I don’t wanna breathe
Air that you’re not breathing
I don’t wanna hear
If your heart’s not beating
If you hurt then I
Wanna be the one that’s bleeding
Wanna be the one that’s bleeding
Hold tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
Only love, only love tonight
Lights off, we’re burning so bright
Everything’s gonna
Everything’s gonna
On July 20 2015, Madonna announced that Diplo would be the opening act for the launch of her Rebel Heart Tour on September 9 and 10th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec:
“To have Diplo open for me is my dream come true. Montreal is about to TURN UP!!!! We Go Hard or We Go Home!”
With Madonna, Diplo produced and co-wrote the songs Living For Love, Bitch I’m Madonna, Unapologetic Bitch, Veni Vidi Vici, Best Night and Hold Tight.
