Madonna (nickname)

Many artists have been labelled with Madonna-associated nicknames, some of whom are self-declared such as (from left to right) Rihanna as the "Black Madonna",^[1] Miley Cyrus as the "Next Madonna",^[2] and Alisha Chinai as the "Madonna of India".^[3]

In a multi-decades long period, many individuals, mostly female singers received a nickname associated with the name of the American singer-songwriter Madonna (born 1958). Simultaneously, several artists have been identified with the same nickname, and many others have received more than one.

Moniker's visibility is found in devoted articles from publications like Billboard discussing what it means to be a Madonna while others discussed why there exists many artists with the label. Music critic Steven Hyden explains she was often regarded as an archetype in female popular music. Reviewers often addressed comparisons from different measurements and generally all sorts of positive things attributed to the original Madonna.

The label became visible in the profile of various performers, to which some of them have responded with mixed comments towards the moniker and comparisons with Madonna. Others declared themselves as such or wanted to be a Madonna and media followed suit. More than one performer in the late 20th century, were planned or slightly promoted as a Madonna in their debut by their record labels, according to some of them or media outlets. In the early 21st century, music journalism and authors set a race to find "Madonna's successor", calling in the journey to various as the "next" or "new Madonna". Madonna herself labeled Kanye West either as the "new" or "Black Madonna". References of the label are found in some musical pieces, including songs' titles, or a mention in Eminem's "Fubba U cubba cubba".