Hard Candy (Madonna album)

The album is expected to have an overall hip-hop feel, with Madonna lining up Timbaland and Pharrell Williams to help her achieve R&B credibility.^[2] A source told The Sun: “Confessions was a worldwide smash — but this will be different once again. The last album was a credible disco record and Madonna wants to give hip-hop the same treatment this time. It���s not all hip-hop though, there are a lot of producers from a lot of genres in there. It could be her most ambitious project yet.”^[3]

At the London premiere for the film, Arthur and the Invisibles, Madonna confirmed that she hoped to start working on something new soon, and it could be "more dance." Despite initial reports that the album would maintain the pop-oriented dance feel, provided through contributions by Confessions producer Stuart Price, on 15 November 2007 Price said on a BBC-radio interview that Madonna wanted "to do an Urban record this time that's not really the kind of what I do, so she's hooked up with Pharrell and Timbaland and she's doing that record at the moment."^[4]

Timbaland stated in an interview for a British magazine that Madonna's first album was a big inspiration for this new album, and that Madonna, Timberlake and he had listened to the album several times through recording to be inspired by it. Timbaland has also revealed that there'll be no 80s synth-pop/disco tracks on the album and no purple leotard. "It's kinda like Holiday with an R&B groove."^[5]

Throughout 2007, various rumours circulated about the album's title. Rumoured titles included Give It to Me, Madame, Society, Candy Shop, Licorice, Odyssey and Blackstar. However, all of these titles were spread through fansites without any credible, verifiable sources provided for the claimed title. In October 2007, one fansite reported that the new album had a working title of Connextion, which would not be the title of the released album.^[6] Give It To Me, reportedly the name Madonna would like the album to be called and the name of a new song on the album,^[7] is also the name of an unofficial 'pre-fame' Madonna album and the name of a song she recorded with Otto Von Wernherr, it is also the title to a Timbaland track released with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado.

Further confusion ensued in December 2007 when journalist and DJ Larry Flick announced the album's title as Licorice on his Sirius Satellite Radio show "OutQ", based on a false, fan-made album cover image. Flick's announcement was first reported by Billboard and subsequently picked up by various other news outlets. Because of this, Madonna's representatives released their own statement denying that Licorice was the title and that the release date was wrong.^[1]

The first single to be released from the album is expected to be "4 Minutes to Save the World", as reported by Madonna fan site, MadonnaTribe.com, on 15 December 2007. On 16 December 2007, Timbaland played part of the song at "Jingle Ball" in Philadelphia after earlier stating on New York radio Z100 that a Madonna/Timbaland/Timberlake song would be released in January 2008.

On Wednesday January 23, 2008 Justin Timberlake called in to The Ellen Degeneres Show. Ellen Degeneres and Timberlake briefly talked about his upcoming work with Madonna:

Degeneres: "You're going to London to do your video with Madonna, that's going to be amazing, cool."

Timberlake: "Yeah thats what I hear!"

Compared to previous Madonna albums, a large number of collaborators have been mentioned in the media. Involvement is likely to vary from producing, songwriting, and vocals. It is unclear whether all of these collaborations produced completed songs, or songs that will be included on the new album.

Known collaborators include: Danja, Pharrell Williams,^[8] Timbaland,^[9] Justin Timberlake, Felix Da Housecat,^[10] Swizz Beatz,^[11] Sean Garrett,^[12] Akon,^[13] Mark Stent.^[14]

In October 2007, Madonna Tribe reported that Kanye West was recording with Michael Jackson, while in the studio next door Madonna was putting the finishing touches on her new album with producer Pharrell Williams. Pharrell introduced West and Madonna. Madonna then decided "on the spot" to have the rapper rap on one of her new songs.^[15]

In November 2007, it was rumoured on certain fansites that the material recorded with Pharrell was being reconsidered for possible exclusion from the album. However, subsequent comments by Pharrell appear to anticipate his material on the album.^[16]

On 17 November 2007, website madonnatribe.com reported that a song called "Across the Sky" (featuring Timbaland) was one of five Timbaland / Timberlake collaborations for inclusion on the album, ^[32] although subsequently reported that the song was no longer to appear on the final tracklisting.

At the Shrek the Third premiere, Justin Timberlake revealed "We actually wound up with 5 or 6 REALLY good songs, some unfinished, some finished and we're gonna go back in July and finish some more stuff." Asked if he’ll be singing with her, Timberlake said "Possibly, yeah!" In August 2007, Timbaland stated to press that he and Timberlake had produced ten songs for Madonna's album.^[33] At the Warner Bros. listening party, Madonna reportedly revealed that the current number of tracks to be included on the album is 13.^[34]