Madonna reveals why she doesn't plan on selling her music catalogue
With 14 studio albums in her discography so far
Last updated 30th Aug 2022
Madonna has had an incredible career to date, releasing 14 studio albums since 1983, as well as a new remixed album of her greatest hits this year. Recently, many musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Sting from The Police, and David Bowie's estate have chosen to sell the rights to their discography, but Madonna has explained why she won't be making that decision.
Some artists opt to sell their music catalogue to have immediate financial gain and greater security for their estate, and the sales can bring in a huge amount of money. Last December, Bruce Springsteen sold his music rights for around £376million, which helped him to become the highest-paid musician of 2021.
The 'Vogue' singer's longtime manager Guy Oseary had previously claimed that Madonna wouldn't ever sell her music rights, which she has now confirmed.
Speaking to Variety, she explained the reason behind her decision saying: "Because they’re my songs. Ownership is everything isn’t it?"
It seems like she could be adding to her music collection soon, following on from her last album 'Madame X', which came out in 2019. In December last year she teased that new music could be on the way when she shared a photo of herself in the recording studio, writing: 'So great to be back in the studio making Music again………… 🎶 🎤 🖤……… Suprises in the New Year'. (sic)
She followed this up with comments about how she was "dying to make new music" in a livestream in January, and she has now said: "I’m just looking for interesting, fun ways to rerelease my catalog and introduce my music to a new generation. I’m focused on that and I’ve been writing a screenplay for my film for the last couple of years.
"I want to go on tour again, I’m a creature of the stage. That is my happy place."
That's not the only thing the pop legend has been working on, as her upcoming biopic is currently being created. Madonna has co-written and will be directing the film which she describes as "a visual autobiography".
Although the film doesn't have a title or a release date yet, Ozark and Inventing Anna actress Julia Garner has been offered the part of Madonna after a competitive audition process.
Madonna also commented on the decision to make the film, saying: "I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film. It was also a preemptive strike because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me. Mostly misogynistic men. So I put my foot in the door and said, 'No one’s going to tell my story, but me'."
Check out Madonna's best looks:
1985
Madonna is pictured here performing on 'The Virgin Tour', her debut concert tour that she took through the US and Canada. Madonna worked with designer Maripol for her fashion through the 80s, including for the tour.
1985
Madonna performed at Live Aid, taking to the stage in Philadelphia to perform 'Into The Groove' and 'Holiday' in a multi-layered outfit.
1987
She channelled her inner Marilyn Monroe for the 'Who's That Girl World Tour', performing in the US and Canada, Japan, the UK and Europe.
1990
Madonna debuted her iconic pointy bra corset on the 'Blonde Ambition World Tour'. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, Madonna made a statement with the item during the song 'Express Yourself'.
1993
Madonna went for a close pixie crop hairdo on her 'Girlie Show' tour, and the fashion for this tour was designed by Dolce & Gabbana with instructions from Madonna herself to look at films My Fair Lady and Cabaret for inspiration.
1998
Madonna favoured a more natural, stripped back look to promote her seventh album, 'Ray Of Light'. The music video saw her wear a denim jacket with trousers featuring a glittered belt, as clips of her singing the song were interspersed between sped up scenes from around the world. It won a GRAMMY Award as well as five MTV VMAs.
2001
She opted for a sleeker look at the film premiere for Mean Machine with her then-husband Guy Ritchie, sporting the poker-straight, feathered hairdo that's become synonymous with the early noughties.
2004
She was back to curly blonde locks for the 'Reinvention World Tour', working with designers Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld among others to create the on-stage looks, including this bejewelled corset.
2008
Emulating Guns 'N Roses bassist Slash, Madonna looked fierce in black with a top hat on her 'Sticky & Sweet Tour', on which she worked once again with Stella McCartney among others.
2012
Madonna gave the cheerleading performance of her life on the 'MDNA Tour'. Working once again with Jean Paul Gaultier, the performance was split into four themes: Transgression, Prophecy, Masculine/Feminine and Redemption and, according to Madonna, showed "the journey of a soul from darkness to light".
2013
She chose a blunt black wig for the Punk-themed Met Gala, wearing an outfit by Givenchy.
2015
Madonna caught everyone's eye with her Matador performance at The BRIT Awards - and despite a blunder with the cape, she still delivered an incredible show.
2017
Once again, Madonna turned heads at the Met Gala with a camo gown by Moschino. She told Entertainment Tonight: "We knew we wanted to go with camouflage from the very start. We started with the flak jacket, and then we worked our way down. So, you know, we're ready. We're ready to go to fashion war. It's going to be a fun night."
2019
Madonna sported an eye patch for her performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, using this era to perform as her alter ego Madame X who she saw as a "spy" or "secret agent".
2022
Madonna channelled her 80s looks for this outfit in 2022, which she wore to a roller disco event at DiscoOasis at Wolman Rink in Central Park, New York.
2024
Madonna took to the stage at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro during her 'The Celebration Tour', wearing an eye-catching and colourful corset dress and long gloves made up of the colours of Brazil's flag. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, it's certainly reminiscent of his cone bra corset from all those years ago.
2026
Madonna was brought out as a guest at Coachella 2026 by headliner Sabrina Carpenter, as the pair performed her songs 'Vogue' and 'Like A Prayer', with her lilac ensemble reported to be pulled from her "personal archives".
You can hear songs by Madonna on Greatest Hits Radio.
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