Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), known artistically as Madonna, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer, and actress. Regarded as “one of the greatest pop acts of all time”, she has been dubbed the “Queen of Pop” by the media. In her youth, Madonna aspired to become a ballet dancer and studied dance under the tutelage of choreographer Alvin Ailey. Following her debut in the entertainment industry as a member of Patrick Hernandez’s dance team, Madonna formed a pop duo with Dan Gilroy known as the Breakfast Club. While initially performing as the band’s drummer, Madonna also served as lead singer until her departure from the group. She joined a second music group—Emmy—with drummer Stephen Bray, though both performers eventually left the group to focus on the launch of Madonna’s solo career as a recording artist.
Beginning with the release of her self-titled debut album in 1983, Madonna rose to stardom producing three consecutive number one studio albums on the Billboard 200; Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), and Like a Prayer (1989). Though the entertainer faced colder critical reception and more modest sales on subsequent albums Erotica (1992) and Bedtime Stories (1994), she garnered critical acclaim with the release of her seventh studio album Ray of Light (1998), which opened at number two. Madonna continued to remain in the forefront of pop music with four more consecutive number one studio albums; Music (2000) American Life (2003) Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) and Hard Candy (2008).
Madonna is ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America as the “Best Selling Female Rock Artist of the Twentieth Century” and the second top-selling female artist in the United States (behind Barbra Streisand) with 63 million certified albums. According to Guinness World Records she is the “World’s most-successful female musician” and the top earning female singer in the world with an estimated net worth of over $400 million, having sold over 200 million albums worldwide. Billboard reported that her 2006 Confessions Tour holds the record for the highest grossing concert tour by a female artist. On March 10, 2008, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Madonna made her acting debut with the low-budget feature film A Certain Sacrifice (1979) and went on to star in the 1985 box office hit Desperately Seeking Susan, her first starring role. She then starred in the relatively unsuccessful Shanghai Surprise (1986), Body of Evidence (1993), The Next Best Thing (2000) and Swept Away (2002) — in addition to numerous supporting roles and cameo appearances. She also starred in the box office hits Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992) and Evita (1996) — based on the musical of the same name, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
The classic and one of the most famous “reinventers” of music, Madonna has done for the female side of the music industry, what Michael Jackson has done for the male side. She has been at the forefront of pop culture and her controversial outlooks on her life and works will never be forgotten. Never one to shy away from a battle, Madonna made her millions, not from heritage, or a lucky break, but through sheer determination and hard work, not to mention a beautiful singing voice. Her versatilty is something to be desired, having graced the genres of pop, dance, rock, country, electronica, techno, R&B and hip-hop, and without looking out of place. Some see her as an arrogant alpha-female pop star who produces mediocre pop music, but people who know her best and know of her acclaimed status know her as one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.
