Profile: Pop Goes Madonna

As the undisputed Mother of pop, Madonna has well and truly lived up to her name. Ever since she was thrust into the public eye in 1983 in a flurry of teased hair, dangling pendants and black accessories Madonna has commanded attention. Despite her obvious success, she is often criticised as being more memorable for her controversial personal antics than she is for her music. Nay saying aside, Madonna is an example of how image can be harnessed to create a lasting impression. But to say that she has had a lasting impression is an understatement; her Madgesty’s music and the outlandish fashion that often accompanied it have become iconic moments in pop music history.

Born in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan in the United States, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone originally had aspirations of becoming a professional dancer. A talented young performer, Madonna was awarded a dance scholarship in 1976 to attend the University of Michigan. Anxious to achieve her dream of becoming the most formidable female performer in the world, in 1978 she left Michigan and her degree behind in place of chasing the dream in New York City. As legend has it she left with little more than a one way ticket to New York and $35 dollars in her pocket - an uncertain start to a career that would later be characterised by fame and fortune. Several years, various bands, and many casual jobs later, Madonna had a record deal with Sire Records. In 1982, her eponymous debut was released, giving birth to the hit singles ‘Lucky Star’, ‘Borderline’ and ‘Holiday’.

Madonna’s decision to move to New York may have seemed like a risk, but it was her confident nature, which helped ensure her success. Throughout her impressive career she has constantly re-invented her image and her sound, striving to cover new ground and to push new boundaries with each of her 11 studio albums. And although she constantly changed her sound, her popularity never wavered.

Madonna helped anticipate new trends in music and helped shape the tastes of audiences with each new release. For example, in 2006 Madonna released the dance ready Confessions on a Dance Floor, inspiring a resurgence in electronic music in America. Having sold in excess of 200 million records worldwide Madonna remains one of the most successful solo acts of all time. Madonna may not have invented pop itself, but she will always remain the Mother of re-invention.