Sunday Spotlight: Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone continues the run of LEGENDS as the Sunday Spotlight comes to a close late November, 2021.

Born August 16, 1958, 14 albums in, a new release Madame X, a documentary film chronicling the tour of the same name, on Paramount+ has just launched. So why not feature the Queen of Pop on the eve of FREEDOM DAY.

Madonna is noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, and visual presentation. 

She is also known for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in mainstream music, while maintaining control over every aspect of her career. Her works, which incorporate social, political, sexual, and religious themes, have generated both controversy and critical acclaim.

Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in the rock bands Breakfast Club and Emmy, she rose to solo stardom with her debut studio album, Madonna in 1983.

She followed it with a series of successful albums, in 1982 with Like a Virgin, True Blue in 1986 although with The Immaculate Collection in 1990.

Into the 90's Madonna gave us Grammy Award winning albums, Ray of Light in 1998 along with  Confessions on a Dance Floor in 2005. 

Madonna has amassed many number-one singles throughout her career, including Like a Virgin, La Isla Bonita, Like a Prayer, Vogue, Take a Bow, Frozen, Music, Hung Up and 4 Minutes.

Madonna has also featured in a number of big screen films like Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy, A League of Their Own and Evita. 

As a businesswoman (the OG BOSS Bitch) Madonna founded the company Maverick in 1992.

This included Maverick Records, one of the most successful artist-run labels in history. Her other ventures include fashion brands, children's books, health clubs, and filmmaking. She contributes to various charities, having founded the Ray of Light Foundation in 1998 and Raising Malawi in 2006.

With sales of over 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is noted as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. 

She is the most successful solo artist in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and holds the record for the most number-one singles by a female artist in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. 

With a revenue of U.S. $1.5 billion from her concert tickets, she remains the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time. So what better artist to celebrate the end of an extended lockdown version 2.0 with. Enjoy MADONNA!