by Deidre Mcdowell

Created on: July 24, 2008   Last Updated: July 25, 2008

Madonna's "Like A Virgin" blazed onto the 1980s music scene with a passion. The lyrics were perfect for teens anxious to rebel against anything their parents may approve. Young girls were emulating her bright red lips, funky style, and provacative dance moves, much to the chagrin of every junior-high dance chaperone. She was different, and she knew it. This need to be ever-changing in a creative marketplace is why Madonna is still a rock star, long after her first fans have grown up and become parents themselves.

Many would argue that Madonna's artistic evolution really stemmed from an even bigger talent for business. Every time the fire of fame would start to trickle out, she would re-invent herself once again. This started early and consistently throughout her long career. As soon as "Like A Vigin" lost its luster, she became a pregnant teen in "PaPa Don't Preach", and a smart gold-digger in "Material Girl". Eventually, she led the young women of the nineties into an evolution of their own, by making it ok for women to embrace their sexuality.

After almost ten years on the music scene, she had to push the buttons of society even furthur, by publishing a very explicit coffee-table book called "Sex". When it appeared that this book was as far as she could shock in the sex-arena, she turned to religion creating a controversial video around her song "Like a Prayer". Once again the business-woman in Madonna had hit upon an artistic goldmine: controversy. In the entertainment field, an artist needs to stay in the spotlight in order to generate income and star-power, and nothing keeps the masses talking more than controversy.

As Madonna got older, she began running out of ways to shock fans and audiences, but she was far from washed-up. Along with her business sense was true artistic talent, and her music kept selling, but she knew to stay on top she would need to re-invent herself yet again. Next, the world got to meet, Madonna the mother. Soon the sexy siren was pregnant, taking care of children, getting married, and writing children's books. Once again, the world still couldn't get enough of her, and her rock star status still lives on.

So whether Madonna's artistic evolution was hinged more on business or talent is a matter of opinion, but one thing can not be denied, her staying power. She has found several ways in which to make her star shine a lifetime: re-invention, controversy, and accessibility.
In many ways, these are the pathways chosen by many great artists, around the world, and throughout time.

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