"Music" is the eighth studio album by American singer Madonna, released on September 18, 2000, by Maverick and Warner Bros. Records. Following the success of her previous album *Ray of Light* (1998), Madonna sought to distinguish herself in a music scene increasingly influenced by younger artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Collaborations with Mirwais Ahmadzaï and William Orbit pushed the album in a more experimental direction. *Music* features a blend of dance-pop and electronica, incorporating elements from funk, house, rock, country, and folk, and presents Madonna with a reimagined cowgirl image.
The album was well-received by critics, who often compared its production to *Ray of Light*. It earned five Grammy Award nominations, winning one for Best Recording Package. Commercially, *Music* was a significant success, debuting at number one in 23 countries and selling four million copies within the first ten days. In the United States, it topped the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 420,000 copies, marking Madonna’s first number-one album in over a decade. By the end of 2001, *Music* was the 19th best-selling album of the year, with over 11 million copies sold worldwide.
To promote the album, Madonna embarked on a promotional tour featuring performances at events like the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards and the 43rd Grammy Awards, as well as two free concerts at Roseland Ballroom and Brixton Academy for contest winners. The album was also supported by the Drowned World Tour in 2001, her first tour in eight years, which grossed over $75 million and became the highest-grossing solo act tour of the year.
Three official singles were released from the album. The title track, *Music*, was the lead single, topping the charts in 25 countries and becoming Madonna's 12th number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was followed by *Don't Tell Me*, which also reached the top five, and *What It Feels Like for a Girl*, which made the top ten in several countries. *Impressive Instant* was released as a promotional single in the US, topping the Dance Club Songs chart, while *Amazing* was briefly released as a promotional single in selected countries before being withdrawn. The album has since been recognized for anticipating several musical trends, including electro-house, vocal manipulation, and cowboy kitsch.
