Spring Break
Hall of Fame says Madonna is a natural for induction
Glenn Gamboa - NewsdayIssue date: 3/6/08 Section: Music
Starting with "Borderline" in 1984, Madonna turned her videos into events. Teenage girls - dubbed Madonna "wannabes" - quickly copied her various styles, from the crucifixes to the rubber bracelets to the mesh shirts and the underwear as outerwear trends.
Madonna videos became just as important as the songs they represented, sometimes becoming more attention-getting than the songs, either with the controversial "Like a Prayer" and "What It Feels Like for a Girl" clips or the artistic, culture-shaping videos for "Express Yourself" and "Ray of Light," which influenced video and filmmaking styles.
"She is still a musical and cultural icon," Krim says. "She's always finding a way to impact culture and changing with the times, someone who, despite having plenty of exposure, still has a mystique about her. She's a smart woman and done an amazing job managing that career and still having people wanting to see more and hear more. She's not settling back and relying on what she's done in the past. She's always looking ahead."
While induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is seen by many as the culmination of a career, Madonna is still moving forward with hers.
Her new album, "Hard Candy" (Warner Bros.), due next month, includes a rumored duet with Justin Timberlake, who will induct her into the Rock Hall. And Krim says it continues the Madonna tradition of pushing the envelope.
"It sounds great - it's very 2008," he says. "But it's still very Madonna. She's growing with the times. She's not an oldies act. There's still a lot of anticipation for her new album. Every time she releases a new video, it will be an event and we're going to treat it that way. I believe MTV will, too. She still has a place on MTV and not many 49-year-old artists can say, that even though a lot of them would like to."
And Madonna is set to push a new envelope, signing a new $120-million business agreement with concert promoter and venue owner Live Nation that makes her the first major artist to partner with a nonmusic company for all her music-related businesses, from her tours to her future album releases.
"Madonna is a true icon and maverick as an artist and in business," Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement. "Our partnership is a defining moment in music history. I am thrilled that Madonna, who is also now a shareholder in our company, has joined with us to create a new business model for our industry."
In a statement, Madonna said she felt the new partnership created more opportunities than the traditional major-label model.
"For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited," she says. "I've never wanted to think in a limited way and with this new partnership, the possibilities are endless. Live Nation has offered me a true partnership and after 25 years in the business, I feel that I deserve that."
Apparently, Madonna isn't through attaching new job titles to her resume just yet.
Madonna videos became just as important as the songs they represented, sometimes becoming more attention-getting than the songs, either with the controversial "Like a Prayer" and "What It Feels Like for a Girl" clips or the artistic, culture-shaping videos for "Express Yourself" and "Ray of Light," which influenced video and filmmaking styles.
"She is still a musical and cultural icon," Krim says. "She's always finding a way to impact culture and changing with the times, someone who, despite having plenty of exposure, still has a mystique about her. She's a smart woman and done an amazing job managing that career and still having people wanting to see more and hear more. She's not settling back and relying on what she's done in the past. She's always looking ahead."
While induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is seen by many as the culmination of a career, Madonna is still moving forward with hers.
Her new album, "Hard Candy" (Warner Bros.), due next month, includes a rumored duet with Justin Timberlake, who will induct her into the Rock Hall. And Krim says it continues the Madonna tradition of pushing the envelope.
"It sounds great - it's very 2008," he says. "But it's still very Madonna. She's growing with the times. She's not an oldies act. There's still a lot of anticipation for her new album. Every time she releases a new video, it will be an event and we're going to treat it that way. I believe MTV will, too. She still has a place on MTV and not many 49-year-old artists can say, that even though a lot of them would like to."
And Madonna is set to push a new envelope, signing a new $120-million business agreement with concert promoter and venue owner Live Nation that makes her the first major artist to partner with a nonmusic company for all her music-related businesses, from her tours to her future album releases.
"Madonna is a true icon and maverick as an artist and in business," Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement. "Our partnership is a defining moment in music history. I am thrilled that Madonna, who is also now a shareholder in our company, has joined with us to create a new business model for our industry."
In a statement, Madonna said she felt the new partnership created more opportunities than the traditional major-label model.
"For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited," she says. "I've never wanted to think in a limited way and with this new partnership, the possibilities are endless. Live Nation has offered me a true partnership and after 25 years in the business, I feel that I deserve that."
Apparently, Madonna isn't through attaching new job titles to her resume just yet.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Ronald
posted 3/06/08 @ 10:09 PM MST
I salute the writer for creating a truthful material on Madonna. The Queen of Popm will continue to reign!!!!!!
didier
posted 3/06/08 @ 11:39 PM MST
Thanks for your excellent article on a fabulous Artist that I love without limit!
Dameon
posted 3/07/08 @ 7:02 AM MST
Sorry, but I am just not buying into all this fluff. I am not saying that Madonna doesn't deserve consideration or induction into the HoF. She has all my respect as an artist. (Continued…)
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