International Women's Day: Madonna

Happy International Women's Day, Ladies! May this day be the one where you shine and show the world what you are made of! And who else is more perfect to write a blog about than the legend of music that is Madonna? She was one of the first musicians I ever listened to along with Britney Spears, ABBA, Michael Jackson and Bee Gees. However, she dominates over all of them. I've seen her live once on her record smashing Sticky and Sweet Tour at the O2 Arena, I have all her albums and I have watched many of her videos and motion pictures.

What I love most about her is that throughout 4 decades, she has been able to reinvent herself from the girl next door to a global megastar. How many people can master all genres of music and create a new a image and persona every year. She has been the face of controversy ever since she landed with her debut album, often criticised for being considered 'minnie mouse on helium' and 'a whore'. However, she has fought through the hatred of critics and jealous people alike to prove that she is hear to stay now and forever. She has branched out not only into films such as Evita and Swept Away but has been the icon of fashion. She was involved in several campaigns inlcluding Dolce and Gabbana, H and M and Versace. Now, at the age of 55 she has taken her career into her own hands and has produced a chain of gyms, skincare products and a clothing line whose name pays tribute to her hit single 'Material Girl'. What also makes her an outstanding woman is the fact that she has selflessly pumped millions of dollars into her charity 'Raising Malawi' in building schools for children who struggle to receive an education and have any sort of future. Moreover, in the 2006 and 2009, she adopted two children and gave them a home. 

Madonna's road to success has not been easy and has often admitted to have been the victim of abuse, rape and the difficulty of not having a motherly figure throughout her childhood. Having been through two unsuccessful marriages and a chain of highly publicised relationships, she has come back stronger than ever. She is able to be vulnerable as well as a powerful role model to women. Her music has the ability to relate to different situations such as Papa Don't Preach pays tribute to teenage pregnancies and the Like A Prayer video promotes the message of equality and putting a halt to racism once and for all.

Whilst her films have not been a major success on the box office, this does not necessarily mean they were not good. My favourite films by Madonna are: Evita where she plays the iconic Argentinian politician Eva Peron, Swept Away where she plays a snobby millionaire who gets stranded on a Greek Island and falls in love with a fisherman. W.E. is also a cinematic masterpiece that details the love between Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII and adapting it to a woman's life in modern times. Having the ability to not only sing and act, but to also direct is definitely something to be taking seriously.

Madonna has written books targeted at young children which have peaked on the New York's best-seller and also the controversial SEX book that contains explicit pictures of her photoshoot during the promotion of her album Erotica. Whilst deemed as a tool of getting attention, it was in fact a book cleverly designed to promote the power and passion of women and how they should not be afraid to hide their perfections and to express themselves just like men do.

She has been an icon to so many modern artists such as Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Beyonce and of course Lady Gaga. Everyone remembers 2011 where a heated row occurred between the two ladies in relation to their songs 'Express Yourself' and 'Born This Way'. In addition to this, Madonna is also inspired by the many modern artists that walk this planet. This has been clear as she has collaborated with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Timbaland, LMFAO, Avicii, Nicki Minaj, MIA. The Glee Cast on TV have paid tribute to her by singing many of her classic tunes and releasing a tribute album that peaked number 1 in America and Canada.

Madonna has not been shy to liberate herself on stage and once again show the true power of her feminity. In 2003, she famously French kissed Britney and Christina Aguilera. In addition to this, on her MDNA tour she has given speeches about the freedom to be oneself, one clear example was her speech on releasing Pussy Riot, a Russian punk duo that caused a musical protest in a Moscow church.

What is my favourite song of Madonna? - Hung Up - a disco fused dance jam containing the sample of Gimme Gimme A Man After Midnight

What is my favourite Madonna album? - Confessions of the Dancefloor - jam packed disco album that could set a club ablaze.

What is my favourite Madonna video? - Vogue- a beautiful black and white video with a slice of elegance that pays tribute to many fashion icons and promotes the idea of liberation

What is my favourite Madonna costume? - the burlesque cone bras or the the Like A Virgin boy toy dress

She is the biggest selling female artist of all time and fourth best selling artist behind The Beatles, Elvis and Michael Jackson. 4 of her albums are in the category of the best selling albums of all time and her album You Can Dance is the second highest selling remix album. Her Sticky and Sweet Tour is the biggest tour by a female solo artist, and 3 of her other tours still remain to be one of the highest. She has more dance number ones, gold records than any other artist. In the UK she has got the most amount of number ones for a solo artist and second most albums for a woman in USA. Most Top 10's in both the UK and US. Is there stopping this woman? I think not...