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Madonna says music that leaked online is not a finished new album

Madonna took to Instagram on Wednesday to deny reports that her new album had been leaked online in its finished form. Above, the artist during a visit last month to Malawi.
(Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi / Associated Press)
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Madonna hasn’t teased a release date or a title for her upcoming album, and aside from murmurings about collaborations (Diplo, Avicii, Ryan Tedder), not much is known.

However, reports spread through social media on Wednesday that the pop star’s long-gestating record had been leaked online. The album, rumored to be titled “Unapologetic Bitch” (one of her favorite hashtags to use on Instagram) or “Iconic” (the leak included a supposed cover of the latter), contains 13 tracks according to the leak.

On one dubstep-influenced track, she references her signature tune “Lucky Star” before offering a snide reminder that “Bitch I’m Madonna” (which is also the song’s title). Another song, called “Borrowed Time,” finds her commenting on war and social issues. She winks at “the Illuminati” over a glitchy house beat, and pours over a failed romance in an emotional ballad called “Heartbreak City.” The “album” ends with the Avicii featured “Wash All Over Me,” which previously leaked.

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As the music spread online, the singer turned to social media to denounce the leak, which she called “a form of terrorism.”

Taking to her Instagram account, Madonna wrote: “Thank you for not listening! Thank you for your loyalty! Thank you for waiting and if you have heard please know they are unfinished demos stolen long ago and not ready to be presented to the world.” Still, that didn’t stop many from taking to social media to share and comment on the illegally acquired files.

The leaked music was characterized online as a finished product, which Madonna denied in a since-deleted follow-up post.

“This is artistic rape!! These are early leaked demos, half of which won’t even make it on my album. The other half have changed and evolved,” she wrote with understandable anger. “Why do people want to destroy artistic process??? Why steal? Why not give me the opportunity to finish and give you my very best?”

In a Twitter post published a few weeks back, Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary, attempted to combat an earlier leaked track: “I would be grateful to any @madonna fans that can assist us in finding those responsible for the leak. ... We appreciate your help.”

The actual album, expected to be released sometime next year, will serve as a follow-up to 2012’s “MDNA.” Madonna is prepping a world tour that will coincide with the release and mark the 30th anniversary of her debut trek, 1985’s Virgin Tour.

Follow Randall Roberts on Twitter: @liledit

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