Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan on August 16, 1958.

Her mother, Madonna Louise (née Fortin), was of French Canadian descent,
and her father, Silvio Anthony Ciccone, was a first-generation Italian
American. The Ciccone family originated fromPacentro, Italy; her father later
worked as a design engineer for Chrysler and General Motors. Madonna was
nicknamed "Little Nonni" to distinguish her from her mother. The third of six
children, her siblings are Martin, Anthony, Paula, Christopher, and
Melanie. Madonna was raised in the Detroit suburbs of Pontiac and Avon
Township (now Rochester Hills).

Discography

Madonna is the debut album of American recording artist Madonna,

released on July 27, 1983 by Sire Records. The album was re-released in 1985
for the European market and re-packaged as Madonna – The First Album. In
1982, during establishing herself as a singer in New York downtown,
Madonna met Seymour Stein, president of Sire Records, who signed her after
listening to her single "Everybody". The success of the single prompted Sire
to sign her for an album's deal. For the album, Madonna chose to work
with Reggie Lucas, a Warner Bros. producer. However, she was not happy
with the completed tracks and disagreed with Lucas's production techniques,
so decided to seek additional help with the production.

Like a Virgin is the second studio album by American singer-

songwriter Madonna, released on November 12, 1984 by Sire Records. The
album was re-released in 1985 world wide (not in North America) with the
bonus track "Into the Groove". In 2001, Warner Bros. released a remastered
version with two bonus remix tracks (this version did not include "Into the
Groove"). The RIAAcertified it Diamond on May 21, 1998, recognizing ten
million shipments in the United States. Worldwide, the album has sold over
21 million copies.
True Blue is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna,
released on June 30, 1986 by Sire Records. Madonna worked with Stephen
Bray and Patrick Leonard on the album while co-writing all the songs.
Deemed as Madonna's most girlish album, True Blue deals with her visions of
love, work, dreams as well as disappointments and was inspired by her then
husband Sean Penn, to whom Madonna dedicated the album. Musically, the
songs on the album took a different direction from her previous endeavours,
incorporating classical music in order to engage an older audience who had
been skeptical of her music while featuring instrumentation including
acoustic guitars, drums, synthesizers and Cuban musical instruments. The
album features songs about love, freedom and in the case of "Papa Don't
Preach", social issues like teenage pregnancy.
Like a Prayer is the fourth studio album by American singer-
songwriter Madonna, released on March 21, 1989 by Sire Records. The RIAA
certified it Quadruple Platinum on July 16, 1997, recognizing four million
shipments in the U.S. - making it her seventh best-selling album there.
The album also found success with its following singles; "Express Yourself",
"Cherish", and "Oh Father", which found varied success across the globe.
'Express Yourself' and 'Like a Prayer' are regarded as two of Madonna's
signature songs, and along with 'Oh Father', and 'Cherish' have garnered
much acclaim over the decades and also furthered the creativity within music
videos ('Express Yourself' was the most expensive video ever made at that
point).
Erotica is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna,
released on October 20, 1992 by Maverick Records. The album was released
simultaneously with Madonna's first book publication, Sex. The RIAA certified
it double platinum on January 6, 1993, recognizing two million shipments
throughout the U.S. Worldwide sales are currently recorded at just over 5
million.

Bedtime Stories is the sixth studio album by American singer-

songwriter Madonna, released on October 25, 1994 by Maverick Records.
Madonna collaborated with Dallas Austin, Babyface, Dave Hall and Nellee
Hooper, and decided to move into a more R&B direction and a generally
more mainstream radio friendly sound. Madonna tried to soften her image
after her sexually explicit works during Erotica period.

Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by American singer-

songwriter Madonna, released on March 3, 1998 by Maverick Records. After
giving birth to her daughter Lourdes, Madonna collaborated with Patrick
Leonard and William Orbit in developing the album. After failed sessions with
other producers, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with Orbit and
incorporated his extensive usage of trance and electronic music in her songs.
The recording took place over four months, but experienced problems with
the Pro Tools arrangement by Orbit as well as the absence of live bands.
Music is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna,
released on September 19, 2000 by Maverick Records. The album hit number
one position in more than 20 countries worldwide, and sold 4 million copies
in the first 10 days The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
certified it Triple Platinum on November 21, 2005, recognizing 3 million
shipments throughout the United States, making it her eighth best-selling
recording there. Music has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. A
two-disc Special Edition was released in June 2001 to promote the Drowned
World Tour, containing an additional CD of remixes and the video of "What It
Feels Like for a Girl".
American Life is the ninth studio album by American singer-
songwriter Madonna. It was released on April 22, 2003 by Warner Bros.
Records and Maverick Records and produced by Madonna and Mirwais
Ahmadzaï. It was the world's 32nd-best-selling album in 2003. TheRecording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) and British Phonographic
Industry (BPI) certified it platinum in recognition of one million shipments,
and three hundred thousand copies sold, respectively. It is the second lowest
selling studio album of Madonna's career (behindHard Candy) with sales over
four million copies.
Confessions on a Dance Floor is the tenth studio album by American
recording artist Madonna. It was released on November 15, 2005 by Warner
Bros. Records. The album was a complete departure from her last studio
album, American Life (2003). It included influences of 70s and 80s disco as
well as modern-day club music. Initially, she began collaborating with
Mirwais Ahmadzai and even recorded two tracks for the album. However,
Madonna felt that their collaboration was not going in the direction she
desired. At that time, Madonna arranged to write and record additional
tracks with Stuart Price while overseeing her documentary, I'm Going to Tell
You a Secret. The album was majorly recorded at Price's home-studio where
Madonna spent most of her time during the recordings.
Hard Candy is the eleventh studio album by American singer-
songwriter Madonna, released on April 25, 2008 by Warner Bros. Records. It
was her final studio album with the record company, before the greatest hits
album Celebration, marking the end of a 25 year recording history. Madonna
started working on the album in 2007, and collaborated with Justin
Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Nate "Danja" Hills. The album,
overall, had an urban pop vibe, while remaining a dance-pop record. Pet
Shop Boys were also asked for collaborating with Madonna on the album, but
Warner Bros. later changed their mind.
Music videos
1982–1989
Year Music video Director(s) Notes
An in-house video featuring Madonna singing with a group of dancers
1982 "Everybody" Ed Steinberg
against a neon-lit background
The video portrays Madonna, in a white dress, writhing on a road,
"Burning Up" Steve Barron singing the song about her lover. The boy drives a car, presumably to
1983 run her over.
"Holiday" Unknown The original music video was never released.
The video portrays Madonna as a Hispanic girl dancing on the streets.
"Borderline" Mary Lambert She leaves her boyfriend to be with a photographer but ultimately
rejects him and comes back to her boyfriend.
Arthur The video portrays Madonna in her boy-toy image, dancing in front of a
"Lucky Star"
Pierson white background, flanked by two dancers.
1984 In the video, Madonna roamed around the streets of Venice and
through marble-pillared rooms wearing a white wedding dress; this clip
was interspersed by images of a lion and a man wearing a lion mask. It
"Like a Virgin" faced negative reaction from family organizations and social workers,
who complained that it promoted sex outside marriage and
undermined family values, offering an unsavory image of Madonna as
Mary Lambert a whore.
Pictured as a video-within-a-video, Madonna sang the song dressed up
in a pink sleeveless gown, flanked by boys in black coats. The video
"Material imitated Marilyn Monroe's version of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best
Girl" Friend" from the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The video and
the song together culminated in Madonna's nickname as "material girl"
in mainstream media.
"Crazy for
1985 Harold Becker Made with clips from the movie Vision Quest
You"
"Into the Susan
Made with film clips from Desperately Seeking Susan.
Groove" Seidelman
"Gambler" Harold Becker Made with clips from the movie Vision Quest
"Dress You Danny
The video was released with footage from The Virgin Tour.
Up" Kleinman
The video portrays Madonna with a new pale and subtle look, her
shoulder-length hair was wavy and golden blond. She got rid of her
junk jewellery and adopted a pale make-up look with shoulder-length
"Live to Tell"
golden locks. The look was again inspired by Monroe. Footage from the
1986 James Foley movie At Close Range were interspersed, with Madonna appearing to
speak for the character.
In this video, Madonna adopted the gamine look portrayed by Shirley
"Papa Don't
MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn during the 1950s. She portrays
Preach"
a tomboy who wants to tell her father about her pregnancy.
 Interspersed with scenes of a sexier Madonna with a toned body,
wearing a black bustier.
The American version from MTV's Make My Video Contest was
directed by Ángel Gracia and Cliff Guest, where Madonna does not
"True Blue"
appear. The international release directed by Foley portrays Madonna
and her friends in an all-blue diner.
The video paid homage to actresses Liza Minnelli and Marlene Dietrich.
"Open Your Jean-Baptiste Madonna played an exotic dancer in a peep-show club who befriends a
Heart" Mondino little boy and escapes from there. The video was negatively criticised,
because it portrays the entry of a child in a strip club.
Madonna played a woman living in a Spanish barrio. She portrays two
"La Isla characters: a boyishly-dressed Catholic woman and a colorful Flamenco
Mary Lambert
Bonita" dancer. The video portrays Madonna's fascination with Hispanic
culture and the inclusion of religious symbolism.
The video portrays Madonna dressed in Spanish style as a young lady in
"Who's That Peter
search of a treasure. It included scenes from the film of the same
1987 Girl" Rosenthal
name.
A live performance from the Who's That Girl World Tour in Turin, Italy.
"Causing a
Unknown Another version included the performance at the 1987 MTV Video
Commotion"
Music Awards.
"The Look of
James Foley Compilation video of clips from Who's That Girl
Love"
The video portrays Madonna to be a witness of an interracial murder
and goes to pray in a church. Various scenes like Madonna kissing a
black saint, receiving stigmata, scantily dressed and dancing in front of
burning crosses are shown. In the end, she helps to free the man who
"Like a
Mary Lambert was falsely accused of murder. Religious groups protested that the
Prayer"
video was a blasphemous use of Christian imagery. The Pope banned
Madonna from appearing in Italy and urged a national boycott of Pepsi.
The latter withdrew their contract with Madonna while letting her
keep the $5 million.
Inspired by the film Metropolis, the video portrays Madonna as the
leader of a company, and later as a glamorous lady and chained
"Express masochist. Muscular men act as her workers. In the end, Madonna
1989 David Fincher
Yourself" picked one of them to be her date. The music video for "Express
Yourself" was the most expensive video at the time of its release with
production cost of $5 million.
Madonna played on the beach with mermen and merchild. In the end
"Cherish" Herb Ritts
she falls in love with one of the mermen.
An animated video featuring Madonna as an animated fairy. The video
"Dear Jessie" Derek Hayes
was released only outside the United States.
A black-and-white video portraying the death scene of a young mother
and the tempestuous relationship that ensues between the husband
"Oh Father" David Fincher
and the daughter. Years later Madonna, as the grown-up daughter,
reconciles with the father at the woman's grave.
1990–1999
Year Music video Director(s) Notes
Black-and-white video recreating the glamorous look of
old Hollywood with men in suits and Madonna dressed in gowns. It
David
"Vogue" also displayed the dance form called vogue. The video was praised for
Fincher
making the sex and gender roles ambiguous in its portrayal of people,
and for bringing an underground culture in the mainstream limelight.
Black-and-white video portraying Madonna coming to a hotel room
to satisfy her sexual fantasy. Scenes
1990 of sadomasochism, voyeurism and bisexuality are also portrayed.
Critics were polarized over the video's content with some of them
Jean-
applauding Madonna's boldness while others took the brazenness of
"Justify My Love" Baptiste
the video negatively. Madonna called the video "a celebration of
Mondino
sex". She released the video as a video single and it went on to
become the best-selling music video single of all time, earning a four-
times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association
of America.
The video is a walkthrough of memories. While Madonna
"This Used to Be Alek melancholically sings about the old days, the viewer flips through a
My Playground" Keshishian photo album which feature moving images of a singing Madonna as
well as images from the movie A League of Their Own.
Madonna is portrayed as a masked dominatrix with a golden tooth
and a whip. Montages of sexual imagery are shown that were shot
Fabien
"Erotica" during the photography of Madonna's Sex book. It was a montage of
1992 Baron
sexually charged images, designed to shock the audience. MTV put
the video into heavy rotaion, but only after midnight.
Madonna portrays Warhol protégé Edie Sedgwick. She goes to a disco
and looks for something which ends with a man releasing the
"Deeper and Bobby
balloons she was carrying. Interspersed with scenes of Madonna
Deeper" Woods
being photographed and she and her friends watching a man dancing
in underwear.
The video opens and closes with shots of a murdered Madonna, who,
David
"Bad Girl" having lived a life of promiscuous sex, presumably joins her dead
Fincher
lover and guardian angel, portrayed by actor Christopher Walken.
The video portrays Madonna as a Balinese idol with red hair and
Stéphane
"Fever" another shot of her being silver painted. Interspersed with scenes of
Sednaoui
a man in thongs, his body painted gold.
1993 The video portrays Madonna with short cropped, black hair,
recording the song in a studio. Interspersed with scenes of Madonna
Mark
"Rain" kissing a man behind a glass on which water falls. Critical appreciation
Romanek
came for the music video, whose technical brilliance was awarded at
the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.
Live performances from The Girlie Show Tour and the 1993 MTV
"Bye Bye Baby" Unknown
Video Music Awards.
Madonna singing the song in a recording studio, while being
Alek
1994 "I'll Remember" supervised by herself in an androgynous look. Interspersed with clips
Keshishian
from the movie With Honors.
 Black-and-white video featuring Madonna as a blues singer singing in
Melodie
"Secret" a club. Scenes ofrebirth, transvestites and damnation are
McDaniel
interspersed with Madonna walking down a street to her home.
Madonna portrays the mistress of a Spanish bullfighter. Their affair
Michael
"Take a Bow" ends after Madonna is being abused by the fighter. Religious imagery
Haussman
form backbone of the video.
A surreal dream sequence arising from some sort of controlled
experiment on a prostrate Madonna, lying in a blue spaceship-like
Mark
"Bedtime Story" room.[65] The production cost of the video was $5 million, making it
Romanek
one of the costliest videos.[66] The video was honored as a permanent
collection in New York's Museum of Modern Art in 1996.
Jean-
Madonna and her dancers in front of a white background, wearing
"Human Nature" Baptiste
1995 black, PVC catsuits, perform a number of S&M-inspired dance moves.
Mondino
The single release was cancelled but the music video was still
Earle
"I Want You" released. The black-and-white video portrays Madonna waiting for
Sebastian
her lover's telephone call.
Sequel to the music video of "Take a Bow". Madonna leaves the
Michael
"You'll See" bullfighter but he still chases her around the world. Ultimately she
Haussman
sets herself free from him.
Jean-
"Love Don't Live Single-shot Sepia-colored video showing Madonna in the middle of an
Baptiste
Here Anymore" empty suite of an abandoned hotel.
Mondino
Madonna was pregnant with her daughter Lourdes at the time of
1996 "You Must Love
shooting the video. Her stomach was hidden behind a piano in the
Me"
video.
"Don't Cry for
Alan Parker
Me Argentina"
The music videos for "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and "Another
"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" are excerpts from the film Evita.
1997 Suitcase in
Another Hall
An all-blue video shot in the middle of Mojave Desert. Dressed in
black clothing from head to foot, her long hair colored black and
Chris
"Frozen" straight and mehndi on her hands, Madonna portrays a mystical
Cunningham
creature and a witchy persona who sometimes turns into a dog,
sometimes into a bird and sometimes levitates from the ground.
A high-speed video, showing ordinary people doing their daily
routines. In between Madonna, dressed in casual jeans and flowing
Jonas
1998 "Ray of Light" Åkerlund
golden hair, dances to the song, ultimately falling asleep on a dance
floor. It won the Video of the Year award at the 1998 MTV Video
Music Awards.
"Drowned
Portrays Madonna running away from the paparazzi in a car. After
World/Substitute Walter Stern
reaching home she takes her daughter in her arms.
for Love"
"The Power of Matthew Madonna and her lover play chess, and Madonna wins. After her
Good-Bye" Rolston lover reprimands her, Madonna goes out to the beach and starts
 walking along the shore, where she possibly commits suicide.
Japanese-themed video, featuring Madonna as a geisha wearing a red
"Nothing Really
Johan Renck kimono and white clad Swedes of Asian heritage
Matters"
performing butoh dance moves.
1999 Shot for the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999),
"Beautiful the video featured Madonna dancing in a club and actor Mike
Brett Ratner
Stranger" Myers as Austin Power trying to seduce her; his plan ultimately
backfired.

2000–2009
Year Music video Director(s) Notes
Madonna sings the song in front of a giant Flag of the United States.
"American Pie" Philip Stolzl Interspersed with scenes which are characteristic of the American life.
Actor Rupert Everett makes an appearance.
Madonna and her friends board a limousine which takes them to a
Jonas strip-club and disco. The strippers are brought over in the limousine
2000 "Music"
Åkerlund by Madonna and her friends. An animated section is present where
Madonna fights with some goons.
Jean- The video shows Madonna walking on a conveyor belt in front of a
"Don't Tell Me" Baptiste video screen where cowboys are shown dancing. They join Madonna
Mondino in front of the screen near the end of the video.
Madonna picks up an old woman from an old-age home and speeds
down the streets with her in a car. While driving she commits a
"What It Feels
2001 Guy Ritchie number of crimes, including theft, destruction of property and
Like for a Girl"
murder. The video was banned in the United States for being too
violent.
Features a heavily-beat-up Madonna being brought to be executed in
a gas chamber. Interspersed with scenes of a white-dressed and black-
"Die Another
2002 Traktor dressed Madonna sword fighting. In the end Madonna escapes from
Day"
the execution. The former's video was the second most expensive
video, production cost being around $6 million.
Original video showed Madonna among military-garbed models at a
fashion show. Interspersed with shots of the catwalk was footage of
explosions and planes dropping bombs. The video ends with Madonna
throwing what appears to be a grenade into the lap of a George W.
Bush lookalike. Western models, wearing military garments are
followed on the catwalk by Middle Eastern child victims of war.
Jonas Madonna had initially claimed that the video was non-specific and
"American Life"
Åkerlund anti-war. However, before its premiere on music channels in March
2003 2003, Madonna cancelled the release and issued a statement saying
that, "I do not believe that it is appropriate to air it [the video] at this
time. Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and
respect for the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not
want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of
this video."
Jean-
Madonna portrays some of Hollywood's former actresses and the
"Hollywood" Baptiste
upheaval of a glamorous life.
Mondino
 "Me Against the Britney Spears and Madonna were present in a club, playing opposite
Music" (Britney characters with Britney in the dark and Madonna in the white. A cat-
Paul Hunter
Spears featuring and-mouse like chase ensues; Spears catches up to Madonna in the
Madonna) end.
"Love Madonna walks on the sky and on the water with fairies, fishes,
Luc Besson
Profusion" flowers and clouds surrounding her.
The video portrays Madonna clad in a pink leotard dancing alone in a
ballet studio and concludes at a gaming parlour where she dances
2005 "Hung Up" Johan Renck
with her backup troupe. Interspersed are scenes of people displaying
their dancing skills in a variety of settings.
A continuation from the "Hung Up" music video. Madonna and her
"Sorry" Jamie King troupe go around the town in a white van and dance in a skating
arena.
The video showed Madonna singing the song among graphical visuals
2006 "Get Together" Logan
portraying volcanoes erupting and a cityscape.
The video features Madonna in a blond bob wig and singing the song
Jonas
"Jump" in front of several neon signs. The video also features dancers
Åkerlund
performing the physical discipline parkour.
"4 Minutes" Madonna and Timberlake sing and run away from a giant black screen
Jonas &
(featuring Justin that devours everything in its path. At the end of the video, Madonna
François
Timberlake) and Timberlake are consumed by the screen.
Tom Munro,
Madonna in retro-makeup look dancing in a photography studio in
"Give It 2 Me" Nathan
2008 various garments. Cameo appearance by Pharrell Williams.
Rissman
Live footage from the Sticky & Sweet Tour in Buenos Aires, mostly
Nathan footage of the fans and stadium before and during the show.
"Miles Away"
Rissman Originally unreleased, but finally included on theCelebration: The
Video Collection DVD.
A simple dance video featuring Madonna and her dancers doing
Jonas
2009 "Celebration" the popping and lockingstyle of dancing against black-and-white
Akerlund
backgrounds.