The Blessed Madonna

Marea Stamper (born 1977),[2][3] better known by her stage name The Blessed Madonna (formerly The Black Madonna), is an American DJ, producer[4] and musician.[1][5] Mixmag named her the DJ of the year in 2016.[6] She founded her own record label called We Still Believe.[7]

For the venerated icon of Black Madonna, see Black Madonna of Częstochowa.

The Blessed Madonna
The Blessed Madonna performing at All Points East Festival in Victoria Park, London, on May 27, 2018
The Blessed Madonna performing at All Points East Festival in Victoria Park, London, on May 27, 2018
Background information
Birth nameMarea Stamper[1]
Born1977 (age 45–46)
Kentucky, United States
GenresHouse, techno, disco
Occupation(s)DJ, remixer, producer
Instrument(s)Turntables
Websitetheblessedmadonna.co.uk

Musical career

A high-school dropout who was bullied for her gender-nonconforming appearance,[8] Stamper started her career in the late 1990s, selling mixtapes by underground DJs at raves.[1] Stamper studied English at the University of Louisville and was the general manager for the college radio station.[9]

In 2013, she released her EP “Lady Of Sorrows”. In 2014, she released two singles, “Stay” and “Exodus”. On November 11, 2016, she released a new single “He Is The Voice I Hear” at Gramaphone Records in Chicago, Illinois. The song was later released on streaming platforms through her own label, We Still Believe, in the beginning of 2017. In 2018, The Blessed Madonna appeared as herself in Grand Theft Auto Online, as part of the After Hours DLC.[10] She has been called "one of the world's most exciting turntablists."[11]

Stamper's former stage name, The Black Madonna, references the Black Madonna paintings of the Virgin Mary, a tribute to her family's favorite Catholic saint.[12] Historically, Stamper defended the use of The Black Madonna, citing her Catholic faith as a reason for her attachment to the icon.[13] However, in response to a Change.org petition that raised concerns of racial insensitivity, Stamper changed her stage name to The Blessed Madonna on July 20, 2020. She cited "controversy, confusion, pain and frustration" caused by the previous name and stated, "People who shared that devotion loved the name, but in retrospect I should have listened harder to other perspectives."[14]

On July 27, 2020, British singer Dua Lipa announced the release of a remix by Stamper of her song "Levitating" featuring American artists Madonna and Missy Elliott to serve as the fifth single of her 2020 album, Future Nostalgia. The remix was released on August 14, 2020.[15] On August 4, Dua Lipa announced Club Future Nostalgia, which was mixed by Stamper, and features previously announced guests Madonna and Missy Elliott, as well as Mark Ronson, Gwen Stefani, and others.[16] In late 2021, Stamper began hosting regular shows on BBC Radio 6 Music on Saturday nights. In 2022, Stamper released a new single “Serotonin Moonbeams” which featured vocals from singer Uffie, as well as a sample from Burton Inc.’s "Why Don’t You Let Me Know". The track interpolated Suzanne Vega’s hit song "Tom's Diner".

Media

In 2016, The Blessed Madonna came out as bisexual while speaking out against U.S. President Donald Trump.[17]

Discography

Remix albums

Singles

Selected remixes

References
  1. "The Black Madonna, an Activist D.J., Wants to Turn Dance Music Upside Down". The New York Times. November 30, 2017.
  2. "The Black Madonna | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. Roberts, Joe (March 8, 2018). "The Black Madonna: DJ Mag UK Cover Feature". DJ Mag.
  4. Galil, Leor (December 9, 2015). "Marea Stamper, The Black Madonna, The DJ". The Chicago Reader.
  5. "dj the black madonna shares the 6 songs that changed her life". Vice. October 12, 2018.
  6. Brailey, Louise (December 21, 2016). "The Black Madonna is the DJ of the Year". Mixmag.
  7. "RA: We Still Believe - Record Label". Resident Advisor.
  8. Kane, Peter Lawrence (April 18, 2018). "The Black Madonna and the Holy Spirit on the Dance Floor". SF Weekly.
  9. Barnes, Marcus (August 21, 2020). "The Blessed Madonna: 'Changing my name was a very Catholic experience'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  10. Crecente, Brian (August 25, 2018). "How 'Grand Theft Auto' Is Changing the Way the World Experiences Music". Rolling Stone.
  11. James, Lauren (March 14, 2018). "DJ The Black Madonna on performing at Sónar festivals and making dance music accessible for all". South China Morning Post.
  12. Romano, Tricia (September 18, 2015). "Decibel Fest DJ Black Madonna and her rebel heart". The Seattle Times.
  13. Ekanayake, Manu (September 26, 2017). "Getting The Mask On: The Black Madonna Interviewed". The Quietus.
  14. "The Black Madonna is changing her name to The Blessed Madonna". Consequence of Sound. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  15. "Dua Lipa announces "Levitating" remix with Missy Elliott and Madonna". Consequence of Sound. July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  16. "Dua Lipa announces star-studded Future Nostalgia remix album". Consequence of Sound. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  17. Smith, Cody (November 11, 2016). "The Black Madonna Speaks Out Against Donald Trump in Heartbreaking Editorial". EDM News.
  18. DGTL: The Blessed Madonna at DGTL Madrid, 2018 (DJ Mix) by The Blessed Madonna, retrieved September 19, 2021
  19. Club Future Nostalgia (DJ Mix) by Dua Lipa & The Blessed Madonna, retrieved September 19, 2021
  20. "NYE 2021 (DJ Mix) by The Blessed Madonna". Apple Music (GB). Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  21. He Is the Voice I Hear - EP by The Blessed Madonna, retrieved September 19, 2021
  22. Mamo, Heran (August 13, 2020). "Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' remix with Missy Elliott, Madonna & The Blessed Madonna has arrived: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  23. "Marea (We've Lost Dancing) - Single by Fred again.. & The Blessed Madonna". Apple Music (GB). Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  24. LeJarde, Arielle. "The Blessed Madonna releases 'Serotonin Moonbeams'". The Fader. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
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