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why not though. it's time to totally change up her usual release patterns/strategies. No need for the old model anymore. And considering she's firmly in legacy act territory now (and rightfully so), needing a tour based on a new album is not really going to work anymore. And not even necessary.

I never would have guessed it wasn't a hit. That song was everywhere at the time, and the video was in constant rotation. Always goes to show the charts don't always reflect what's actually going on in the larger culture.

Not all of us... ;)

Is it just me, or is this one of the best quality uploads they've done so far? Compared to the rest. Wow.

THIS. It's as clear as day what she meant in her post. I've read it a number of times, and even the first time, I never detected an ounce or hint of shade whatsoever to any of those girls. This is really a completely manufactured outrage because one person clearly lacks basic comprehension skills. Much ado about nothing.

All these little pop bitches are SO lucky they're not going up against Madonna circa 1990...

Cardi completely misunderstood the post. And is now using it to make drama and paint herself as a victim. M can't even own her own legacy without it being misunderstood, as always. Some people really are just fucking dumb.

I never talk rubbish. I simply noted his messy mistakes as much as hers when watching, and plenty of others have noted the same thing elsewhere. That's all.

CLASSIC Madonna moment.

Well, it's not difficult for those of us who simply happen to hear things differently, and feel that there is an abundance of wonderful music on the last few projects, with all those wonderful qualities you just described. Again, how we hear music (and how it affects us personally) is incredibly subjective. I don't feel the same way. Perhaps there is a bit less perfectionism (which in many ways I kind of understand at this point in time), but I personally feel there is plenty of excellence still among the things that may not be so 'perfect'. Honestly, from how I perceive the work, yes. But truly, no one can define that objectively unless they were there with her, in the room, witness to the whole process. Again, I personally feel no need to compare something to the past when a number of factors are so incredibly different now to then anyway. It's a bummer you feel that way, but you're welcome to feel however you want. I don't share any of those feelings. Sorry. I think she's worked her ass off in the last decade+, especially considering a number of factors she's had to deal with, personally and professionally. I don't think we could have gotten works like The MDNA Tour, Rebel Heart, MX and it's subsequent tour (amongst other things) if her heart wasn't in it anymore. Also, "success" is subjectively defined as well. For being who and what she is, compared to a number of industry factors, success in the last number of years, and certainly going forward, is going to be drastically different than it ever was...no matter how 'good' the work may or may not be, whether we like it or not. Given the nature of the industry and the wider culture, it's the inevitable state for any artist with this kind of longevity, especially for the very few not relying on nostalgia/legacy. Personally, it's why I don't try to see things through a lens still rooted in the 80s, 90s, or 00s. There are no excuses here. Simply the acknowledgement and understanding that we are in a different time, with a very different industry, and a whole set of unfortunate factors/circumstances that are sadly out of most of our (and her) control. Best I can personally do is to keep an open mind, be open to new things, and whether I ultimately like it or not, continue to support my favorite artist while she's still here (and especially considering so many of my lifelong favs are now gone). And you are right, she is not old, and can still release great music...as some of us feel she has been doing all along. ;)

Different strokes for different folks. Ultimately, we don't all hear/see/feel artistic works in the same way. And that's ok, by its very nature. For the record, I don't really compare works. I've never been interested in whether something 'lives up to' something from the past. What ultimately matters to me is whether I enjoy the work or not, as is, on its own merits, in the here and now. Does it move me, in some way? What value has it brought to my life? And most importantly, how does it make me feel? All works, of varying strength (as subjective as it is), all have their place. The idea that something has no value if it doesn't live up to their "best" work is a perpetually losing battle for any artist. No artist can ever live up to that, and I think it's the death knell for art. Ultimately, I just feel very lucky to have my favorite artist of all time continue to move forward, be inspired by new things, and still take risks...no matter the criticism. Oh, and your wallpaper would be fabulous.

Is it just her performance that's newly edited...or aspects of the whole show? And for the record, Maluma himself was a mess, and made quite a number of mistakes himself (that M had to save his ass for in the moment if you watch carefully).

No. Just someone who hears music differently than you probably do. And that's ok. I'm thankful for that.

So an entire body of work is no good because of a couple of songs? I should disregard the majority of the work for a few silly moments that happen on nearly every Madonna record (which, for the record, I always enjoy as they are quintessentially Madonna)? And with all due respect, who gives a flying fuck about the general public, especially at this point. "Good music" has nothing to do with the general public. Especially considering what passes for hits these days. By that measure, a handful of some of the best songs on the last 3 albums absolutely deserved to be hits. It was clear from first listen that MX was not designed for the GP. I actually find that a good thing. Not every record needs to be, especially when an artist is willing to let go of commercial appeal for the sake of a true artistic vision...let alone to do it in a part of their career where unfortunate circumstances outside of their own control basically hinder any possibility of having commercial hits again anyway. To do that nearly 4 decades into a career, as a female artist, in pop music, is nearly sacrilege... and once again, it proves to me why Madonna is fundamentally different than the rest of her peers. I don't see that many of them, past or present, creating such a work at that stage of their career. MX is not going to be to everyone's taste (no album will be). That's perfectly fine. But using commercial success as the only barometer of the value of a piece of work is an incredibly poor way to measure any artistic work. ps. Anything as good as POG or ROL on MX...hmmm, yes - Dark Ballet, God Control, Future, Batuka, Killers Who Are Partying, Come Alive, Extreme Occident, IDSIF, Ciao Bella...to name a few. ;)

Quite the contrary. For the longest time, fans have been complaining about her not taking care of her legacy. Being invested in getting that legacy to a new generation is incredibly important, and long past due. I'm glad she's openly acknowledging it now.

Thank god I feel the opposite. MX was a truly inspired return to form for many of us, and you could just feel it. She's always been more than just catchy pop one can't get out of their mind.

Ah, yes, another one of the pretentious gang ragging on good ol' M. Another day, another round of publicity for them. From Wainwright, to John Cameron Mitchell, to Morrissey, to Elton, to so many others who come from that "we're real artists...thus we're inherently better than you" mentality/clique...it's no wonder she doesn't pay them no mind. She knows exactly who and what these types are, so best to avoid them. Because it's never enough with them. She could get in their good graces, and they'd still find a way to get their digs in, cause let's face it, everyone wants the throne (in some form or fashion), and the big cats just can't share a cage. And isn't it ironic that they always mention some other pop diva they love, usually with a non-threatening/harmless/victimized image, who is often more than willing to befriend or butter up to them, or is somehow more truly 'talented' and the one actually deserving of her success. Not surprised it's usually someone as sweet, saccharine and inoffensive as Kylie (and I say that as someone who adores Ms. Minogue). But it's so transparent when they make those comparisons. I've also thought that maybe Madonna has this sort of domineering, masculine energy that puts these queens off. But what I really think it comes down to is the fact that they aren't her besties, her clique....they're not, were they ever, going to be in her gang...and it secretly makes their blood boil, because in some way, they actually feel entitled to exactly that. So while certainly M is no saint, they project this 'vicious queen' image onto her. But when it comes down it, it's actually a projection of them. It's always been them. They have always been the true vicious queens...and she knows it. As someone said above, these types are a dime a dozen, and in certain scenes, we know them, easily. I don't blame her for paying them no mind. They don't deserve it.

Sorry, but I don't agree. At all. Her social media feed is classic Madonna. Ironic, irreverent, stunning at times, shocking at times, and messy at times. The ride I've been on and witnessed for nearly my entire life observing this woman. The only difference now is that of technology, accessibility...and age. I think Madame X is a fantastic return-to-form. An unbelievably refreshing, brave, diverse, thought-provoking, and experimental work that very few, if any, "pop stars" are doing nearly 4 decades into a pop career. I doubt you will ever see any of these other acts attempt such, if they even last that long. Mark my words. Also, no one single person can speak for the singular perception of the general public. Considering how social media has affected how we perceive things, I think we engage in far more projection than we realize. That's why I don't make claims like "she's self-destructing" or "she's a joke", etc., as I believe those sorts of things say far more about us, and how we individually perceive her, than what is probably actually happening behind closed doors, in reality. Those are my feelings. Take care.

She has a sense of humor, and doesn't take any of this shit nearly as seriously as some of her "fans".....

Went to a big calendar store recently and they had tons of stuff, including pop artists. But it was mostly either Elvis or Taylor Swift. There used to be tons of pop/rock artists, past and present, in there just a few years ago. But noticed a lot of iconic artists seem to be absent now. I suppose that's because traditional wall calendars are probably a bit passe now. Then again, it was a huge store with lots of options, so companies are still manufacturing them.

Both. She's always been both. And then transcended the mere simple definitions of each.

No. I don't buy that one song alone can 'destroy' any future potential success. That's more so a reflection of certain fans' own biases at play regarding their own feelings about the work in question. At the time, it was most likely her situation with Warner, amongst several other things (in and out of her control). GI2M is a fantastic song, and I find it quintessentially Madonna. It deserved a better video and promotion, certainly. If Blurred Lines, which basically rips on the same sample, by the same producer, can be such a massive hit, I don't see why GI2M couldn't have had some of the same if given the proper chance.

Exactly. It's a bit of fluffy promotion. That's it. We expect way too much from these silly things.

I must be living in the twilight zone... looks fantastic to me. One of the best remasters/upgrades so far.