Maluma – ’11:11′ review (NME)

Madame X, NEWS
 

The Colombian pop superstar and current Madonna collaborator cements his rise with an bang-on-trend album that’ll generate heat from Bogotá to Bognor

It’s easy to reel off stats illustrating Maluma’s global pop phenomenon status: the Colombian singer has 40 million Instagram followers, more videos with a billion YouTube views than Ed Sheeran and an ongoing 43-date arena tour that’s headed for Madison Square Garden. But it’s more interesting and probably more revealing to note that he proposed a collaboration to Madonna when they met at the 2018 VMAs, displaying the sort of savvy, ambition and, well, sheer balls that the Queen of Pop herself has built a career on.

So while Madge might tell him to “slow down, papi” on their excellent collaboration ‘Medellín’, in career terms there’s no chance of Maluma doing anything of the sort. This fourth album arrives nearly a year to the day after his third, ‘F.A.M.E.’, and includes collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign, huge Puerto Rican artist Ozuna, OG Latin pop crossover king Ricky Martin, super-producer Max Martin and, naturally, Madonna. She returns the favour for ‘Medellín’ (which doesn’t appear here) by singing in a not strictly necessary cod-Spanish accent on ‘Soltera’, a fun and flirty duet about playing hard to get. This time, she cools him off with, “I’m not a girl you’ll drink like wine”, a line that presumably wasn’t inspired by a shared bottle of tepid Echo Falls rosé.

Read full article at https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/maluma-1111-review#K7M9BcqmxVZVIYgo.99

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Madame X (LIMITED EDITION) translucent Light Blue Vinyl LP (only 1000 copies)

Madame X, NEWS

Limited-edition 2LP translucent light blue vinyl in gatefold jacket. Only 1000 copies available. 

Influenced creatively by living in Lisbon, Portugal over the past several years, Madame X is a collection of 15 new songs that celebrate Madonna’s career-long affair with Latin music and culture as well as other global influences. Singing in Portuguese, Spanish and English, highlights on the album include “Medellín,” which was co-produced by Mirwais and captures the spirit of Maluma’s hometown, the anthemic song “I Rise,” the Jamaican dancehall vibes of “Future” featuring Quavo, and co-produced by Diplo, as well as the sonically innovative Mirwaisproduced “Dark Ballet.” Recorded over 18 months in Portugal, London, New York and Los Angeles, Madonna collaborated on Madame X with longtime producer Mirwais, as well as with producers Mike Dean and Diplo, among others.

“Lisbon is where my record was born,” Madonna says. “I found my tribe there and a magical world of incredible musicians that reinforced my belief that music across the world is truly all connected and is the soul of the universe.”

  1. Medellín – Madonna + Maluma
  2. Dark Ballet
  3. God Control
  4. Future – Madonna + Quavo
  5. Batuka
  6. Killers Who Are Partying
  7. Crave – Madonna + Swae Lee
  8. Crazy
  9. Come Alive
  10. Extreme Occident
  11. Faz Gostoso featuring Anitta
  12. Bitch I’m Loca featuring Maluma
  13. I Don’t Search I Find
  14. Looking For Mercy
  15. I Rise “
Product Code: 602577697197
Format: Translucent Light Blue Vinyl LP
Label Name: Interscope

Will Ship On 06/14/2019

pre-order HERE

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Like a Prayer & Future confirmed for Eurovision

Madame X, NEWS

Even though we already know, Eurovision just confirmed the performances of both ‘Like a Prayer’ and new track ‘Future’ with Quavo this Saturday. From the looks of it Madonna will be performing the same show as at the MET Gala in 2018. She will open the performance with ‘Like a Prayer’, probably keep the ‘Dark Ballet’ (Beatiful Game) bit in which then will be followed-up by ‘Future’.

No guarantees but this will be likely. 

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Madonna to perform new single ‘Future’ with Quavo at Eurovision 2019

Madame X, NEWS

International pop icon Madonna will perform 2 songs during the Grand Final of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest on 18 May: Her 1989 smash hit ‘Like A Prayer’ and a world exclusive of brand-new single ‘Future’, which she will perform together with American rapper Quavo.

Viewers of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will be the first to hear Madonna’s track Future from her new album Madame X, to be released on 14 June. This year marks 30 years since the release of her iconic album Like a Prayer, and she will perform the title track accompanied by a 35-strong choir.

This will be the first time in the history of the contest that Madonna will grace the Eurovision stage, making the performance a once-in-a-lifetime treat for audiences all over the world. As one of the best-selling female artists in the world, selling more than 300 million records worldwide, her performance in Tel Aviv will be her third time visiting and performing in Israel.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest: “We are pleased to finally confirm that the incomparable music icon Madonna will join us at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Performing live during the biggest entertainment show in the world will be a special moment for everyone – not least the fans. The talent on display in the competition this year is phenomenal and I’m sure the artists will further be inspired by her incredible performance and staging. We know that it will be an evening to remember and can’t wait to share it with everyone watching.”

More at Eurovision.tv

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Madonna Taps Quavo For New Song ‘Future’

Madame X, NEWS

Stream Madonna & Quavo New Song 'Future'

Stream Madonna & Quavo New Song ‘Future’

Following the release of “Medellín” and “I Rise,” Madonna shares the latest single from her upcoming album, Madame X. On “Future,” which feature migos rapper Quavo.

Ahead of its release next month, Madonna shared her tracklist with several appearances from Maluma as well as features from Swae Lee, Quavo, and others.

Last week, the legendary singer unveiled the Swae Lee collaboration ‘Crave‘ as the latest single off her forthcoming LP and it actually did not disappoint.

The track has officially been released in select international markets and it’s scheduled to hit shelves worldwide at midnight. Are you feeling this one? Madame X comes out on June 14.

More at 24Hip-Hop

 

 
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Reflector Entertainment Unveils Details Of Madonna’s Highly Anticipated, Groundbreaking Augmented Reality Performance At Billboard Music Awards (press release)

Madame X, NEWS

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — It was revealed today that Madonna’s performance of her new song “Medellín” at the Billboard Music Awards on Thursday night, which transfixed audiences with groundbreaking augmented reality incorporated into the performance, was the result of Madonna’s artistic vision alongside her manager Guy Oseary in collaboration with Madonna’s Creative Director Jamie King and Reflector Entertainment. Founded by Alexandre Amancio and Cirque Du Soleil Creator Guy Laliberté, Reflector Entertainment is a cross-platform storytelling studio based in Montreal, Canada. This marked Madonna’s first live performance since 2015.

In a first-of–its-kind performance, Reflector and King teamed up on the overall artistic direction, producing four separate personas of Madonna alongside the live performance of the iconic “Material Girl” herself. At Dimension Studios in London, Reflector used volumetric capturing, a technique which fully scans and reproduces a complete performance in three dimensions, to capture all augmented reality models several weeks before the live performance. During this time, they worked with Madonna to create and record four of her personas, which included a musician, cha-cha instructor, secret agent, and a bride.

All of the volumetrically captured models and effects were ultimately processed and played back live through Reflector’s custom built volumetric capture player, offering unprecedented performance and high-quality playback within Epic’s Unreal Engine 4. The resulting augmented reality performance, which was visible exclusively for TV viewers of the telecast, was presented alongside live components, including Latin singer Maluma, and over a dozen live dancers. Television viewers were also treated to exclusive special effects such as clouds, rain, and butterflies, each integrated seamlessly within the live performance.

The overall challenge with the performance was bringing together all of the different technologies, such as volumetric capture, real-time rendering, and live camera tracking to create an unprecedented experience. The creative team proved that, when used correctly, volumetric capture is an extremely profound storytelling tool with unlimited possibilities. 

“Madonna’s vision is never hindered by the limitations of technology, allowing her to create iconic performances that will be talked about for years, and this is no exception,” said Reflector founder and CEO Alexandre Amancio. “We jumped at the opportunity to be part of the first broadcast to fully utilize augmented reality and special effects to this degree in a live performance.  I’m proud of what the Reflector new media team, led by Simon Tremblay and Jean-Normand Bucci, has achieved in such a short period of time”.

Alexandre Amancio heads Reflector through his singular vision of cross-platform storytelling, spearheading the creation of its original IP portfolio. Previously a Creative Director at Ubisoft, Amancio was one of the visionary talents behind the international success of Assassin’s Creed. His work on the franchise has earned him two distinct WGA nominations.

About Reflector Entertainment

Headquartered in Montreal, Reflector is a new breed of studio creating high-quality, compelling content for global audiences.  By employing a true cross-platform approach, where content is built outwards from fully fleshed “Storyworlds”, the company is able to tell richer, deeper stories that connect with fans everywhere. Reflector collaborates with top industry talent to innovate and revolutionize entertainment experiences.https://www.reflectorentertainment.com/

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Madonna reportedly barred entry to Eurovision venue over unsigned show contract

Madame X, NEWS

Pop superstar Madonna was said to have been briefly prevented from entering the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest Thursday morning, where she was to rehearse her planned performance during the weekend final, because she has yet to sign the contract for her appearance.

Eurovision’s executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand initially ordered that the singer not be granted access due to the unsigned paperwork, Channel 12 television news reported.

However, an understanding was later reached with the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest, and Madonna was granted entry to the Expo Tel Aviv venue, the report said.

On Wednesday, Sand had similarly instructed that Madonna not be granted access  to the Eurovision site in Tel Aviv but relented after the singer’s team threatened that she would cancel her performance, the report said. The singer eventually spent two hours rehearsing her act, which is expected to feature three songs.

Embedded video

 
 
Madonna landed in Tel Aviv Tuesday night, defying calls by pro-Palestinian activists for her to boycott the international song competition hosted by Israel. In a statement ahead of her trip, Madonna said she was determined to perform at the Eurovision finals despite the boycott calls.

“I’ll never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be,” the singer said in the statement carried by US media.

Madonna’s participation unleashed a storm of protests from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which has for years been pushing for investors and artists to shun Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians.

Tel Aviv was designated the host city after Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won in Portugal last year.

The semifinals of the contest kicked off on Tuesday, with more qualifiers scheduled for Thursday this week and the Grand Finale on Saturday.

More at The Times of Israel

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Madame X Tour at Le Grand Rex Paris – register now!

Madame X Tour, NEWS

LE GRAND REX CONCERT DATES IN PARIS CONFIRMED
18, 19, 20, 22 & 23 FEB. 2020

MADAME X TICKETS IN PARIS AVAILABLE VIA VERIFIED FAN 
REGISTRATION OPEN THROUGH NOW UNTIL 20 MAY (11:59 PM CEST) AT www.ticketmaster.fr

Citi® is the official credit card of the Madame X Tour

(Click here for French version – Cliquez ici pour la version française)

Thursday, 16-May, 2019 – Paris, FR. Following last week’s heralded announcement that Madonna will perform a series of rare and intimate performances exclusively in theatres, Madonna, Live Nation and Maverick today unveiled the dates for her appearances at historic Le Grand Rex Feb. 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23, 2020.

The Madame X Tour will kick off September 12th at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in New York and will feature multiple nights of shows in each city including performances at the Chicago Theatre, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, The Met Philadelphia and at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in 2019. The Madame X Tour will then resume in early 2020 with performances at the Coliseum in Lisbon, The London Palladium and at Le Grand Rex in Paris. Here is a link to a video from Madonna about the Tour: https://madonna.lnk.to/TourVid.

Madonna is the best-selling female solo touring artist of all time and has the highest-grossing concert tour ever by a female artist with her Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-2009) at $408 million.

Influenced creatively by living in Lisbon, Portugal over the past several years, Madame X is a collection of 15 new songs that celebrate Madonna’s career-long affair with Latin music and culture as well as other global influences. Madonna is releasing 5 songs before her highly-anticipated new studio album Madame X debuts globally on June 14th. Following Friday’s release of the infectious pop gem “Crave” featuring Swae Lee and produced by Mike Dean, the empowering ballad “I Rise” and the critically-acclaimed “Medellín,” additional songs to be shared with fans include the Jamaican dancehall vibes of “Future” featuring Quavo on May 17, as well as the sonically innovative “Dark Ballet” on June 7.

Madonna’s long-time promoter Arthur Fogel, President – Global Touring and Chairman – Global Music, Live Nation said: “The chance for fans to see Madonna at these venues is incredibly special. We are proud and excited to be able to deliver this ultimate opportunity for her fans.”

To ensure fans have the best access, Verified Fan is in effect for Madonna’s Madame X tickets at the Grand Rex in Paris. Fans may register starting today through Monday, 20 May (11:59pm CEST) at www.ticketmaster.fr for their chance to access tickets to these very special events. Verified Fan does not guarantee a ticket but does enable all fans an equal chance to access on a first come, first-served basis when they become available to Verified Fans on Monday, 27 May at 10am CEST. Tickets will be limited to 4 tickets per person.

ICON is Madonna’s official fan club. Lifetime Legacy members of ICON may also register starting today through Monday 20-May (11:59pm CEST) to become a Verified Fan and receive first access to tickets when they become available to Verified ICON members on Thursday, 23 May at 10AM CEST. Icon presale runs through Friday, 24 May (5PM CEST). Complete details at: https://www.madonna.com/tour.

Citi is the official presale credit card of the Madame X tour. As such, Citi credit and debit cardholders can take advantage of a special Citi Presale powered by Verified Fan opportunity for tour dates in France. Citi cardholders can register now through Monday, 20 May to unlock access to tickets and use their Citi card to complete the ticket purchase if verified. The Citi Presale begins Friday, 24 May at 10AM and will continue through Saturday, 25 May at 5PM.

Tickets for these very special Madame X performances are available at €84.00 – €386.50 (plus applicable service fees). Madame X VIP & Hotel Packages will be available for all Verified Fans. VIP packages may include great seat locations, exclusive backstage tour, photo opportunity on stage, VIP pre-show reception, limited edition Madonna gift item, photo opportunity at the VIP red carpet and more! Additionally, fans can access Ticket & Hotel packages which include great ticket locations, exclusive merchandise, hotel accommodations and more.  All fans wishing to access VIP & Hotel Packages may register now through Monday, 20-May (11:59PM CEST). Full details at www.ticketmaster.fr

The tour is presented by Live Nation Global Touring.

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Maluma 11:11 (including ‘Soltera’) bol.com pre-order link available

Madame X, NEWS

Released on Friday and includes ‘Soltera’ the third collaboration between Madonna and Maluma, order through bol.com here

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