Arts & Entertainment
Tough but tender
Beat-heavy but personal, Madonna exhumes mojo on new album
(Photo courtesy Liz Rosenberg Media)
Most people’s — even celebrities — public and private selves don’t have as wide a gulf between them as Madonna’s, one imagines. Her status as a pop culture icon and the human vulnerability underneath are juxtaposed wonderfully on “Rebel Heart,” the new album out this week that’s easily her best effort since “Confessions on a Dance Floor” and her most personal album since “Ray of Light.”
She collaborates with Diplo, Avicii and others to help bring in fresh sounds, but the message and mission of the album is pure, unadulterated Madonna.
On opening track and lead single, “Living for Love,” an impossibly catchy dance track, she finds strength to move on with her life and embrace love, regardless of previous heartbreak (or Brit Awards tumbles). The brilliantly composed “Messiah” is a somber and reflective ballad and would not have been out of place on “Ray of Light,” serving as a foil to the much more optimistic breakup song “Living for Love.”
“Ghosttown” is another perfectly lovely ballad. The auto-tune can get a bit distracting, but Madonna makes up for it in lyrical and production savvy.
“Bitch, I’m Madonna” and “Unapologetic Bitch” aren’t particularly distinguishable, though Nicki Minaj fans may prefer the latter where Minaj has a verse leagues better than the couplets she forced out on “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” It also has a great breakdown, which is likely thanks to Diplo. Both songs are up-tempo, danceable tracks that, lyrically, capture the tough, Teflon-like image of Madge.
As a contrast, “Joan of Arc” is haunting. Madonna expresses the pain she often feels when dealing with insecurities, criticism and other negative aspects of fame. In expressing her vulnerability, Madonna may have penned her most honest lyrics to date here.
Likewise, “Wash All Over Me” is a beautiful ballad likely describing Madonna’s struggle in the modern-day music industry, where she’s torn between trying to keep up with younger artists or going gently into that good night and, heaven forbid, retire.
Perhaps the most memorable song is the last and titular track, “Rebel Heart,” a jaunty tune tailor made for repeat listening, but one that also packs lyrical heft, where Madonna addresses her professional rebellions and need for attention. While she describes feelings of isolation, she is confident in her choices and reinventions and remains steadfast in her individualistic nature. It’s a much more mature reflection on her character than the two “Bitch” cuts.
The album isn’t without its sub-par moments. In “Devil Pray,” Madonna lists all the drugs she knows how to do. And “S.E.X” is about as subtle as its title suggests, trading in masterful lyrics and metaphor for dead horse beating. “Body Shop” borders on novelty but is musically interesting while “Illuminati” does little but perplex.
“Rebel Heart” is a musically inventive compilation and lyrically superior to more recent Madonna efforts. Across 19 tracks, she describes struggling to balance public perceptions of her strength with her hidden insecurities. It’s the album Madonna has been trying to produce for a decade. Regardless of its commercial success, it’s a brilliantly crafted album and could launch Madonna’s next heyday.
Celebrity News
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Crash took place in Baltimore County
BY TAJI BURRIS | Baltimore filmmaker John Waters was released from the hospital Tuesday morning following a car accident.
The 78-year-old released a statement saying that although he was hurt in the Baltimore County crash, he did not sustain major injuries.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
a&e features
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ cast visits D.C.
8 queens vie for $200,000 prize for charity in new season, premiering May 17
Donning sparkling and star-studded red, white, and blue attire on a gloomy, humid D.C. Monday, the cast of the latest “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season sashayed on the National Mall to promote the reality show’s ninth season.
This upcoming season is different than those in the past — eight queens are competing for a donation of $200,000 for the charity of their choosing, rather than a personal cash prize.
Several cast members noted how it felt important to visit the nation’s capital, being authentically themselves and wearing drag. Nina West, who competed in season 11, likened drag to armor.
“We’re here during a really specific time in history, that’s, I would say, markedly dark,” she told the Blade at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. “And there’s an opportunity, as drag has always done, which is for our community as specifically LGBTQI+ people, to stand in our truth and be wonderful — like guardians and fighters for our community.”
She’s competing for the Trevor Project, which is focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for young LGBTQ people. This season’s pivot to compete for charity made Nina West want to come back on the show for the All Stars season. She’s been offered the spot two times before this, she said, and this twist aligned with what she wanted to do.
Several of the other queens mentioned that it’s an honor to be featured in this season, including season 5’s Roxxxy Andrews. She also competed in two subsequent All-Stars seasons.
She chose the organization Miracle of Love, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention programming and assistance in central Florida. It’s a smaller, more local organization, which is why Roxxxy Andrews chose it. She wants to make its work more nationally known. Also, vying to win during a charity season makes the competition feel more rewarding, she said.
Plastique Tiara of season 11 also noted it’s different competing for charity. She’s competing for the Asian American Foundation, which launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and aims to curb discrimination and violence through education and investments in nonprofits.
“It’s more competitive because then you’re fighting not just only for yourself, but your ideas and the things that you love,” she said.
Vanessa Vanjie of seasons 10 and 11 agreed that competing for charity adds a bit more pressure — she chose the ASPCA. And as onlookers near the Lincoln Memorial took pictures of and with the queens, she said she was relieved.
“I was a little bit worried somebody would yell some slurs at us,” Vanessa Vanjie said. “Nothing happened. Everybody came to take pictures like Santa Claus in the middle of the mall.”
There’s a range of contestants from different seasons for this round of All Stars. Some queens hail from recent seasons, but Shannel competed on the show’s first season. To be a part of this new season is surreal, she said.
She’s competing for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which she has a close tie to. She’s dealt with anxiety her entire life. The association is focused on increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment.
“I always felt like I just wasn’t normal, sadly,” she said. “And so now being able to be able to do this season and to get back to that organization is like amazing to me.”
Gottmik, from season 13, is competing for Trans Lifeline — a nonprofit providing advocacy, a hotline and grants created by trans people, for trans people. Being able to do drag and give back is the “perfect scenario,” Gottmik said.
Gottmik was the first openly trans man on Drag Race, which was overwhelming when first on the show. Gottmik felt pressure to be the “perfect example,” but later realized that they didn’t have to worry so much.
“I just want to show people that trans people are real people. We can express ourselves however we want to express ourselves, through drag, through whatever it may be,” Gottmik said.
The new season will be available to stream on Paramount+ on May 17.
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