Madonna in Lisbon (Photo: Instagram)
Madonna posted a sweet message to her Instagram yesterday celebrating New York Pride.
The queen of pop wrote: ‘Until I can share MY music… I’m sending Love from Lisbon! Missing NY and the fierceness of the LGBT community that gave me life from the moment I landed there!’
The icon made reference to the unique relationship she has enjoyed with gay men throughout her life and career. She wrote that she ‘bows down to every gay boy that taught me a new dance, how to dress, how to drag, how to slay, to stand tall in the face of adversity, to not give up hope, to own my inner bitch and to love my flaws!’
Madonna accompanied her message with a typically weird video. The superstar recorded herself lip-syncing and nodding her head along to Demi Lovato’s vocals on Clean Bandit’s recent single Solo, beneath a cute cat face filter.
Madonna’s long and storied affinity for gay men dates back to her teens. She has often credited her gay dance teacher Christopher Flynn for introducing her to gay nightlife.
Prior to launching her music career in 1982, Madonna found a home in the gay clubs of New York. She became best friends with gay artists Keith Haring and Martin Burgoyne, both of whom died of AIDS related illnesses. Madonna wrote the 1992 Erotica album track In This Life in dedication to them, and the effect their death had on her.
Later, her brother Christopher Ciccone came out as gay. Christopher worked closely with Madonna on a number of projects, most notably as director of her 1993 Girlie Show Tour.
Queen of pop to release new music this year
Madonna is understood to be releasing new music this year, possibly quite soon. She has been recording in her adopted home city of Lisbon, Portugal, with producer Mirwais.
Dedicated fans of the star have been airing their excitement online at the news of the collaboration, given that Mirwais is in part responsible for some of her best work this millenium. The pair recorded 2000’s hugely successful Music album, as well as the 2003 gem American Life (regarded as an underrated classic by many of her fans).
Madonna has so far teased only the song Beautiful Game from the forthcoming untitled album. She performed the track at the Met Gala in May, however it is not known if that performance reflects the final version.
Madonna has claimed that she is seeking inspiration from Portugese music and artists for her next era.
Also on Gay Star News:
Madonna confirms name of new single – and the artwork is super cool
