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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

February 20, 2023

Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im

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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

February 23, 2023

Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s

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Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

February 18, 2023

Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has

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The Creative Act: Rick Rubin’s Knowledge Turned Into A Book

February 17, 2023

What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the

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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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From Palio to Plushies: Madonna's 67th Birthday Blends Medieval Traditions with Modern Trends

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

The Queen of Pop just proved she's still the ultimate trendsetter even when it comes to birthday cakes. Madonna rang in her 67th birthday with a luxurious Italian getaway capped off by an enormous Labubu-themed cake, continuing her reign as pop culture's most unpredictable icon.

A Dream Realized in Siena

Madonna, affectionately called "Madudu" on her birthday cake, shared video footage Monday of her dream birthday celebration in Siena, Italy, where she finally witnessed the historic Palio di Siena horse race that occurs annually on August 16. 

"My Dream for many years has been to watch the Palio horse race that takes place on my birthday since 1482!!" she captioned the social media post.

 The footage shows the star alongside boyfriend Akeem Morris and daughters Lourdes and Mercy taking in the "sacred ritual" of the bareback urban horse race alongside thousands of spectators.

Labubu Mania Hits the Material Girl!

After the race and a spectacular fireworks display, Madonna was surprised with a massive pink birthday cake featuring an elaborate edible Labubu sculpture, the latest collectible plushie craze that's taken celebrity circles by storm. 

The creepy-cute goblin figurine has become the accessory of choice among pop stars, with Lady Gaga recently declaring herself a "human Labubu" and BLACKPINK's LISA gifting the dolls to coworkers. Not everyone's onboard though Reneé Rapp recently called the trend "so f–king ugly" when asked to sign one.

The Meaning Behind the Madness..

At 67, Madonna continues to model how aging artists can maintain cultural relevance while staying true to their personal passions. Her choice to celebrate with both centuries-old traditions (the Palio race dates back to medieval times) and cutting-edge pop culture trends (Labubu mania) shows her unique ability to bridge generations and genres. The celebration also comes as her long-awaited biopic starring Julia Garner remains in development, proving the icon's story continues to captivate audiences.

Legacy in Motion!

While other artists might slow down at 67, Madonna's still setting trends whether she's fulfilling lifelong dreams in Italian piazzas or embracing the latest plushie craze. The Labubu cake might be temporary, but her cultural impact remains permanent.

Watch Madonna's birthday festivities unfold on her social media channels!!

From Palio to Plushies: Madonna's 67th Birthday Blends Medieval Traditions with Modern Trendsfrom-palio-to-plushies-madonnas-67th-birthday-blends-medieval-traditions-with-modern-trendsEbrunida KaradagAug 21, 2025The Queen of Pop just proved she's still the ultimate trendsetter even when it comes to birthday cakes. Madonna rang in her 67th birthday with a luxurious Italian getaway capped off by an enormous...