Beatport Partners with WMG for Madonna ‘Remix Challenge’

Photo Credit: Beatport

Beatport, in collaboration with Warner Music Group (WMG) and Madonna, has unveiled a new “Ray of Light” ‘Global Remix Challenge.’ The challenge invites producers worldwide to reinterpret Madonna’s 1998 classic song.

The competition runs from August 28 to September 25 and utilizes official stems provided by Madonna and the original track’s producer, William Orbit. Submissions for the contest will be accepted through Beatport’s Label Radar platform. The winning remix will be announced on October 15 through Beatportal, Beatport’s editorial platform dedicated to global DJ culture.

The new initiative coincides with the highly anticipated release of Veronica Electronica. The new album serves as a companion to Ray of Light and features remixes by acclaimed producers including William Orbit, Peter Rauhofer, Sasha, BT, and Victor Calderone. Initially planned for release in 1998, the project was postponed due to the runaway success of Ray of Light. That album sold 16 million copies worldwide and secured Madonna four Grammy Awards including Best Dance Recording for “Ray of Light.”

“My appreciation for the art of remixing has been passionate since I started making music,” shares Madonna about the remix challenge. “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,” adds Emilie Birks, Vice President of Marketing at The Beatport Group. “Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’ is a seminal masterpiece, and this initiative united an icon with a worldwide community of producers ready to redefine the track’s legacy.”

The contest offers a grand prize package valued at more than $12,000. This includes a signed Ray of Light vinyl from Madonna, state-of-the-art hardware like iLoud Micro Monitor Pro, the Minimal Audio ‘Everything Minimal’ bundle, a Pure Tube microphone from Lewitt, DT 1990 PRO MKII headphones by Beyerdynamic, the UVI SonicBundle, and more.

To enter the competition, participants must download the official stems from Ray of Light via Beatportal and submit their remixes through LabelRadar. The LabelRadar platform facilitates connections between artists and labels, making it easier for talent to share demos and collaborate using official stems from global artists.

Beatport’s Global Remix Challenge has previously featured other prominent acts including Tiësto and The Blessed Madonna featuring Kylie Minogue. Past winners, such as Sparkee—whose remix of Tiësto’s “The Business” has garnered over 3.8 million streams on Spotify—have cited the challenge as a pivotal career springboard.