The trigger warning (no pun intended) at the top of this video is well earned as Madonna and director Jonas Akerlund swing back and forth between explicit depictions of literal murders on the dancefloor and whether an artist should offer blissful escape, or directly confront the issue.
Mykki Blanco takes the starring role of a modern day Joan Of Arc in a powerfully confrontational video that has clear parallels to "Like A Prayer" but without any hint of camp or melodrama.
Madonna starts her Madame X phase with a dark, sultry and occasionally surreal union with Maluma that takes place in a Latin setting that's clearly worlds away from La Isla Bonita.
Bitch, she's Madonna. If she wants to gather a gaggle of freaks and celebrities for a nighttime adventure, then that's what she's gonna do. Director Jonas Akerlund captures a loose and wild, sexy and campy vibe, with on-site cameos by Diplo, Chris Rock and Rita Ora, with some after-the-fact contibutions from Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.
Wanna see the star-studded new Madonna video starring Her Madgesty alongside Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, Diplo, Chris Rock and others? Well, you best be a TIDAL subscriber, or at least not burned through your free trial yet since that's the only place you can see it for now.
And before you bitch about it, remember: a) she's a TIDAL owner/partner/artist, and b) she's Madonna, so she can do as she pleases.
Everyone loves to be the first to premiere a music video on a new platform, and any new platform would certainly love if that artist is of the caliber of Madonna. That's assuming the technology works, of course.
New app/service Meerkat, which allows any Twitter user to livestream video to all their followers, took a bow for Madonna's new "Ghosttown" video yesterday. Or, they were supposed to, but apparently technical difficulties got in the way.
So, if you were too busy on Periscope, you get another chance: The Meerkat/Madonna (re)launch happens at 1pm ET / 10am PT, where you'll get the first look at this new Madonna video directed by Jonas Akerlund (who also directed her "Ray Of Light" video)
Pity the satyr that dare step in the ring with Madonna, who proves mightier than any bullfighter in this discofied and dark romp to debut new album, Rebel Heart.
They have Madonna "Vogue" at #1, which is hard to argue with, although I would argue that "Express Yourself" is better.
Worst?
Loverboy "Love Will Rise Again" which you will likely recognize as some Loverbody song other than "Working For The Weekend"
But most surprising here is how many of these videos weren't hits — we're talking lesser singles by various '80s acts like Eddie Money, The Hooters, Foreigner, Rick Springfield, and more Rick Springfield. It wasn't all super smash all-star artists #1 hits all the time. And he was seemingly very loyal to artists, coming back to work with several of them again again. For example, he not only directed the Gipsy Kings video for "Bamboleo" but he also directed another video for "Bamboleo" two years later.
So, check em all out... Chances are you've never seen them all, unless you are very '80s...
Even if Madonna might be an imperfect spokesperson for starting a revolution against the stifling world of corporate branding —maybe she's still pissed at Pepsi — this 17 minute Art For Freedom short film by the pop star and longtime Madonna collaborator/photagrapher Madonna is still a stunner, filled with malice, beauty and not an ounce of shit about whatever the contradictions
