Fridae

Madonna fansite DrownedMadonna is reporting that the Queen of Pop will be releasing the song "Hey You" as a digital charity single in the next few weeks. The download will benefit Live Earth, a foundation that is organizing several high-profile concerts to raise awareness about climate change on July 7. The single was produced by Pharrell Williams and "is about making a difference, loving yourself and others."

Sound like an ideal way for Madonna to support a good cause and to test the waters with this new Pharrell concoction.

When Madonna Calls...
According to reports, Madonna has been working up a hot steam in a London studio collaborating with Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams on tracks for her next album. The release date is unknown, but fans are hoping that the new disc will be out early 2008.

Over the course of her career, the Queen of Pop has experimented with different genres and worked with many producers who have helped to shape her career. But let's get real for a moment. Are Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams truly some of the best collaborators she could come up with? I don't know what vision she has mind for this next project so I am moving on thin ice, but I think Timberlake and Williams are not the most exciting candidates. Sure. Everything that comes in close proximity to Justin Timberlake turns to gold instantly these days, but my Madge should be unfazed by this. What is hot today, could be overcooked tomorrow.

Madonna has proven that a bit of guts and courage can pay off big time. She's the master of disguise and has developed reinvention into an art form. So why not go overboard and get a little cosy with some left field artists to serve up a new album that is truly fresh. Below I listed some possible collaborations that could be very interesting. They might be reaching too far beyond what the public would like to buy, but it is most certainly worth a little pondering.

/Madonna & Imogen Heap: Immi could turn Madonna into a modern day ice princess. With calm and collected electro tunes that paint a sonic landscape that mesmerize and inspire. All it takes is Imogen's savvy soundboard skills and an Apple Powerbook. It can be done.

Madonna & Prince: A clash of titans. Mixing up Minneapolis funk with Michigan spunk is a Midwestern dream come true. This is one for the oldies. These two have teamed before in 1989 on that odd and weird "Love Song." Their brilliance could move mountains. But then again, they are both perfectionists so it might take years for them to agree on even one chord.

Madonna & Pet Shop Boys: What if Madonna would do a few covers of classic Pet Shop Boys tunes? Not new, but it would be fun. Neil's signature semi-spoken delivery would fit her pseudo British accent perfectly. And of course, it would throw the gays into a wild frenzy to hear Madge utter words like "Go West."

Madonna & Cagedbaby: This would be somewhat of a natural progression from the work she did with Stuart Price. But I think the Brighton-based dance act would give her a much edgier dance floor treatment. Punk it up a little. T-Rexs meets Mylo.

Madonna & Franz Ferdinand: I heard rumours that Madonna once considered working with these indie lads. I'm not entirely convinced that this is a good fit, but a jagged, guitar-driven jive will most certainly be something fresh and new for her.

Madonna & Rufus Wainwright: Another homolicious wet dream. It would be a jolly good, dandy affair full of religious metaphors, subtle political commentary and slow-churning tunes. It will be a challenge to make this work musically, but I think on a personal level they could have a great chemistry.

Madonna & Bollywood: Southeast Asia is still (mostly) an untapped resource for Western pop artists. Some producers have added Indian beats, melodies and other textures to pop music, but I think that this just the tip of the ice berg. Now that the world is a global village, Bollywood is the new frontier. It will be the gift that will keep on giving. It is here that Madonna could potentially find a whole new look, sound and spirituality. Something she already explored on "Ray Of Light" but she could popularize it to a whole new level.

The list of potential collaborations is endless. Curious to hear who you think would be a fun match for our beloved Madonna.