Just to be perfectly clear, these are the things that are not Illuminati:
Jay-Z and Beyonce (as a pair, not individually)
Nicki Minaj
Lil Wayne
Oprah and Obama (as a pair, not individually, either Barack or Michele; Oprah is Illuminati as a singular person)
The Pope
Rihanna
Queen Elizabeth
Kanye West
Pentagrams
Witchcraft
Triangles
Stacks of cash
Black magic
Lady Gaga
Gucci
Prada
Riding on the Golden Calf (it may just be Prada, or Guccci or Prada, or maybe anyone doing the riding depending whom you ask, but Madonna knows for sure)
Platinum encrypted corners (any and all)
Isis
The Phoenix
Pyramids of Egypt
Steve Jobs
Bill Gates
Google of United States (not those other Googles)
Justin Bieber
LeBron James
Clinton (perhaps Bill or Hillary)
Obama (either Barack or Michelle, but singularly)
This has all been clarified distinctly because of all the Illuminati conspiracy theories specifically regarding the above. I personally continue to believe Lil Wayne is Illuminati despite what she says. It makes the most sense. They are NOT Illuminati and neither are the members of TIDAL, some of which are included either singularly or plurally in the list above, but to call them Illuminati is a compliment. And if you don't know what Illuminati are, she will provide the definition when discussing TIDAL.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
So while we're waiting for the release of the "Ghostown" video (or for the next revolutionary appendage placement), could we take a stroll down memory lane to 2003 and the "American Life" video? I only recently saw the original, unreleased director's cut of the video and, unlike a lot of her present day posturing, think it is a genuinely great piece of political arrrt. The first 2/3 or so are - whatever - very expected. Madge in camo doing aggressive militaristic but sexy dance routines, some grrl power stuff in a restroom, a military themed runway show, but then director Jonas Akerlund unleashes the sensational final act. The final runway show is dark, brutally violent and deliberately provocative for all the right reasons. It's also expertly directed and edited and it does double duty by contextualizing some of Madge's sillier lyrics in a legitimately serious and worthwhile message.
I know that sitting in my comfy chair in 2015, with Bush's now tarnished reputation far in the rear view mirror, it can be so easy for me to say coulda-woulda-shoulda, but, man, I really do wish Madge had had the courage to release the original director's cut. She would have undoubtedly faced a huge backlash, but just a year or two later she would have looked so prescient. I'm not calling her a coward. She's probably a business woman first and foremost. She clearly witnessed what happened to the Dixie Chicks. It would not be an understatement to say that her career - not to mention the seemingly hundreds of people whose livelihoods at least partly depended upon her success - could be jeopardized by making such a blatant anti war statement. But, still...
Ghost town video is set to be released early next week, amazingly the song is still doing well on the radio, major stations are still playing it. It could become a sleeper hit if it carried on. The album is also stabalising and increasing on ITunes around the world meaning it's possible this will have more staying power than the last album.
A 3rd date has now been added in NY.
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
I don't think she ever looks fantastic with a grill. And from the point Terrence Howard shows up, it just gets sillier. I like the song, so I was hoping for a good video. Meh. The post-apocalyptic world with the Sexy Stevie Nicks Halloween costume plus Terrence Howard as a sniper followed by the Argentine Tango culminating in the Miss Saigon first act finale silhouette didn't add up for me. But so we're absolutely clear, that's my opinion.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian