Beatport, Warner Music Group and Madonna have launched the Ray Of Light Global Remix Challenge.
From August 28 to September 25, producers can remix Madonna's 1998 hit using official stems from Madonna and William Orbit and upload their version to Beatport’s LabelRadar platform.
The winner will be announced on October 15 on Beatportal, Beatport’s editorial destination for global DJ culture.
The grand prize, worth over $12,000, includes cutting-edge production hardware, premium software and a signed vinyl record from Madonna.
The contest coincides with the release of Veronica Electronica, a companion to Ray Of Light featuring newly edited club remixes by William Orbit, Peter Rauhofer, Sasha, BT and Victor Calderone.
Originally planned in 1998, Veronica Electronica was shelved due to the main album's runaway success. It earned Madonna four Grammy Awards, including Best Dance Recording for Ray Of Light, and sold over 16 million copies worldwide.
British producer and composer William Orbit was central to Madonna’s shift towards an electronic, trip-hop sound. The ’90s album has since become a creative touchstone for contemporary artists.
This initiative unites an icon with a worldwide community of producers ready to redefine the track's legacy
Emilie Birks
“My appreciation for the art of remixing has been passionate since I started making music,” said Madonna. “The ability to propel boundaries and do the unexpected is something I can relate to as an artist. I look forward to hearing everyone’s interpretation – don’t hold back.”
“Today marks the launch of an exhilarating new chapter in our Global Remix Challenge," said Emilie Birks, VP of marketing at The Beatport Group. "Madonna's Ray Of Light is a seminal masterpiece, and this initiative unites an icon with a worldwide community of producers ready to redefine the track's legacy."
Past editions of the challenge have featured Tiësto, The Blessed Madonna featuring Kylie Minogue, and more.
Previous winners have used the challenge as a career springboard, including Sparkee, whose remix of Tiësto's The Business has more than 3.8 million Spotify streams.
To enter, the official Ray Of Light stems can be downloaded from the Beatportal platform. Users can use the code ‘rayoflight’ for an Excite Audio Bloom Drum Machine Lite plugin.
Remixes are then submitted through LabelRadar. The Beatport platform connects artists directly with labels, allowing them to submit demos, collaborate globally and work with official stems from top artists.
