1. In less than 2 months, Rebel Heart is on the verge of having sold 700,000 copies worldwide.
2. Whilst its sold less in its first week than MDNA, the so called flop of 2012, there are various factors at play here which argue that Rebel Heart has had simply had bad luck:
- Firstly, during December, constant leaks of Madonna's demos for Rebel Heart were leaked. Bearing in mind, the world was on the edge of their seats waiting for a small ray of hope that a snippet would be heard out of all the teasing Madonna had done on Instagram, it led people to download illegally the demos. This attracted a lot less potential buyers in purchasing the album itself as they felt they already had it.
- In addition to this, we live in 2015, a world where streaming is mainly conducted and digital downloads, whilst not unheard of, have reduced in sales in both singles and albums terms. Since Madonna has been silent on social media such as Facebook and Twitter, her growth rate of followers were a lot slower so promotion would have been quite slow initially.
- MDNA was promoted by the Superbowl which received the recognition of 100 of millions of people. Rebel Heart pulled out a partial Beyonce with even less promotion at first than Rebel Heart. In addition to this, Living for Love was a solo effort, the first of lead album singles to be since Hung Up. People are overly dependant on hearing a collaboration with two fresh artists yet Madonna does it differently.
3. Rebel Heart was critically acclaimed on 25 songs whilst MDNA had positive yet lacklustre reviews on 17 which gave people the indication Madonna is back.
4. The album should've been Madonna's 6th number one on the USA charts however, the new rule of streaming came abroad and Empire simply beated her on that. Madonna had largest physical sales.
5. It should have been Madonna's UK 13th number one album however, due to Sam Smith's Lay Me Down remix, it was toppled the day before the new chart release. Had she released the Digital EP of the Super Deluxe tracks, she could've scraped number one in both USA and UK.
6. She has heavily promoted this album through social media, infamous stunts such as Drake's kiss, BRIT Awards fall as well as collaborating live with Taylor Swift. By doing more interviews, live performances and attending events such as the Met Gala, it clearly shows Madonna in the spotlight at all times. By releasing music videos through Snapchat and Meerkat, she has made history again, being the first to do so. This made the new generation get to know Madonna a bit better, for better or for worse. She has always been controversial and by posting provocative images and promoting her album as what might appear unorthodoxly (laced faces of iconic figures e.g. Thatcher, MLK) she is basically giving a big middle finger to the world saying that her artisitc integrity will not change for the wishes of haters.
7. Rebel Heart Tour was announced which according to Billboard will also visit Australia and Asia meaning a potential surge in the popularity of Australian and New Zealand fans that have been neglected of a tour for 25 years. Madonna is constantly known for having high grossing tours and this tour shouldn't be any different. If she releases a live album, that will definitely give her a surge in album sales from Rebel Heart and older albums. This tour will surely bring controversy and once again display Madonna's full talent. She should also go to Japan and promote herself further. Sales are greatest in Japan and many non-Japanese artists can have lifelong success or loyalty in Japan e.g. Mariah, Avril, Lady Gaga.
8. Due to the wardrobe malfunction of Madonna, whilst it received mass attention, people have been incredibly ageist even further to her giving her a bad reputation. What Madonna is doing through her action of work is proving to the world that being a 56 year old woman doesn't mean you are disabled and unable to move or have fun. She is attempting to open society's mind of a subject not mentioned enough and nothing done about it. Like Sex and religious controversies, she is under fire for personal ones. However, she gets the last laugh as loyal fans, celebrities are supporting her cause and in the long term will make a difference to the world. People in years to come will understand Madonna's message. Whilst they might not agree with everything she does, its a symbolic gesture. Loyalty has been seen in Radio 1's Madonna music ban calling her old and irrelevant. Many fans went on to make a petition to ban Radio 1 from ever playing music to UK audiences.
.png)
What should Madonna do next for Rebel Heart?
- Release more singles than her usual average of 3-4. In this period, release of singles are essential for the survival of albums, it keeps their heart beating. Bearing in mind Madonna has 25 songs, it would be appropriate to release a fair selection.
Devil Pray - she love this song and is Avicii produced. Maybe a re-release or new version of Devil Pray could simmer on the charts. Potential music video ideas I have could be: a trance like video with religious references and to drugs. Or better yet, a throwback to the 60s, Flower Power video with colours and once again, trance like effects.
Bitch I'm Madonna - is already confirmed to be the third single. Perhaps a more urban or comedic approach to this song with the presence of Nicki Minaj in the music video. It could gain public attention and once again prove Madonna is breaking taboos.
Unapologetic Bitch - a reggae song will no doubt add to her catalogue of reinvention. Maybe a reggae, african beat remix to this song along with Rihanna on it could spice up the charts this summer or whenever. Maybe a throwback to Rihanna's Man Down Reggae Rapping.
Messiah - a medieval video could be done for this along with references to religious imageries.
Iconic - boxing match video with Mike Tyson and Chance the Rapper, similar to the Sticky and Sweet backdrop of Die Another Day.
Veni Vidi Vici - perhaps with a battlefield seen to symbolise the problems she has endured and her constant determination to succeed and always ending up succeeding.
Sex - to bring back media attention and to laugh at her ageist haters. A potential 50 shades of grey type video, throwing back to the Days of Erotica and Justify My Love. In addition to this, a remix with a rapper like Drake.
Joan of Arc - a throwback to Drowned World and displaying an incredibly vulnerable Madonna, a side that is hard to see. By letting her walls down, she becomes more human to the eyes of her fans.
Graffiti Heart - could be an urban street dance video with graffiti and freedom of expression. This is her experimenting with drums and bass which once again shows her reinvention.
Rebel Heart - a dance remix by Avicii in the fashion of Wake Me Up, Hey Brother and the Nights could bring Madonna back up on the charts. This could be a country styled video.
The more singles she releases the more albums she can sell and the more chart success.
This album overall has been successful and this is simply the beginning. Hopefully, Madonna will put in greater effort visually with this album and stick to her promise of visiting Australia. In addition to this, the album itself could break further records as Ghosttown is closing in to be her 45th number one song on the dance charts. This would extend her reign as most number ones on that chart, but also on any Billboard chart.
