Biography
Supreme female of the 1980's music scene, Madonna's vixen look – bad hair dye, bare midriff, short skirts and crucifix – inspired teenagers and terrorized their mothers. The astute business woman signed a $60million deal with Time Warner in 1992, founded her own super-successful music label, Maverick, and developed her reputation as a serious actress.
The ambitious girl of Italian descent won a scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1978. Impatient for stardom, she quit in her second year, moved to New York, worked shifts and started to battle for gigs.
Her boogie-tunes caught the ear of DJ Mark Kamins. He introduced the dancer-singer to Warner Brothers, who promptly signed her up. First she was a hit in the New York club scene, then 'Holiday' leapt across the radio waves, putting the single into America's Top 20.
Warner Bros. released 'Like a Virgin' (1984), and its title track became the singer's first No. 1 single, and the album topped the charts. In 1985, Madonna sold more singles and albums than any other artist that year. Catching the financial optimism and growing popularity of music video and MTV, Madonna's lyrics and image typified the aspirations of the mid 1980s.
Ever sensitive to the evolving mood of her audience, Madonna dropped the Material Girl persona, with the birth of her daughter in the late 1990s, and a new meditative, self-aware lyricism emerged in 'Ray of Light'.
Madonna followed up the success of 'Ray of Light' with 'Music', but with her 'American Life' album,, she failed to wow critics and fans alike. The album performed badly in the charts and it was only the world 'Re:Invention' tour in 2004 that helped elevate her profile once more.
Her film career has been patchy, to say the least, with only "Desperately Seeking Susan' and 'Evita' enjoying any acclaim. The less said about 'Swept Away', the better!
Madonna married 'Swept Away' director Guy Ritchie in 2000 and gave birth to a son. She continues to sing, act and manage Maverick, splitting her time between the UK and the USA.
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