Madonna reveals why she doesn't plan on selling her music catalogue

With 14 studio albums in her discography so far

Published 3rd 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 some of Madonna's best looks:

1985: Madonna performing on 'The Virgin Tour'


1985: Madonna performs at Live Aid


1987: Channelling her inner Marilyn Monroe for 'Who's That Girl'


1990: The iconic pointy corset was worn on Madonna's 'Blonde Ambition' tour


1993: Madonna went for a close pixie crop hairdo on her 'Girlie Show' tour


Evita

Releasing Jeeves after Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew chose a biographical topic for his next musical - focusing on the life of Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine President Juan Perón. The show's most famous song is 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', and was made into a film in 1996 with Madonna in the lead role (pictured) starring alongside Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce.

1998: She went for a more natural, stripped back look to promote 'Ray Of Light'


1998: In the same year, she went drastically dark for the 'Frozen' music video


2001: Looking sleek at the Mean Machine premiere with her then-husband Guy Ritchie


2004: She was back to curly blonde locks for the 'Reinvention Tour'


2008: She was looking fierce in black on her 'Sticky & Sweet Tour'


2012: She gave the cheerleading performance of her life on the 'MDNA Tour'


2013: She chose a blunt black wig for the Punk-themed Met Gala


2015: Madonna caught everyone's eye with her Matador performance at the BRIT Awards - especially with that cape


2017: She turned heads in camo at the Met Gala


2019: Madonna sported an eye patch for her performance at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest


2020: The London Palladium

Madonna's appearance after her performance at The London Palladium in January 2020 is one of the only times she has been photographed in the last couple of years!

2022: Madonna joins Columbian singer Maluma on stage

Madonna was the special guest of Columbian singer Maluma at his hometown show in Medellín on 30th April. They performed her 2000 hit 'Music' together as well as a rendition of their song 'Medellín' from her 2019 album 'Madame X'.


Backed by a group of dancers, Madonna stood out in a pink dress and plenty of bling.

2022: Madonna breaks Billboard record

Madonna has become the first female artist to have a Billboard Number 1 album in each of the last five decades.

2023: Madonna announced 'The Celebration Tour'

Madonna announced 'The Celebration Tour' on 17th January. The singer will be performing hits from the last 40 years, and the show will pay respect to New York City, where her career in music began.

You can hear songs by Madonna on Absolute Radio.

Now Read:

17 of Madonna's most iconic looks through the years

The greatest female musicians of the 1990s

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