09/02/2025

Beatport Teams Up With Madonna for ‘Ray of Light’ Remix Challenge

The world’s biggest music store for DJs will host a remix competition for one of Madonna’s tracks heavily influenced by electronic music. ‘Ray Of Light’ came out in 1998 and has been played all through the world thanks to its heavy electronic-meets-pop vibe. Now, producers all across the world will get a chance to put their own spin on this timeless classic. The winner’s prize, worth over $12,000, is made up by cutting-edge production hardware and software aswell a signed vinyl. From August 28 to September 25, 2025, producers can remix Madonna’s 1998 hit using official stems from Madonna and William Orbit and upload their version to Beatport’s Label Radar platform. The winner will be announced on October 15 on Beatportal, Beatport’s editorial destination for global DJ culture.

The contest coincides with the release of Veronica Electronica, a long-awaited companion to Ray of Light featuring newly edited club remixes by William Orbit, Peter Rauhofer, Sasha, BT, and Victor Calderone. Originally planned in 1998, the project was shelved due to the album’s runaway success, which earned Madonna four GRAMMY® Awards, including “Best Dance Recording” for “Ray Of Light” and sold over 16 million copies worldwide.

Ray of Light marked a radical sonic shift for Madonna away from pure pop toward an electronic, ambient-infused sound. Central to that transformation was British producer and composer William Orbit.

“My appreciation for the art of remixing has been passionate since I started making music. 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” – Madonna

“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.”

How to Enter:

Download the official stems from Ray of Light via Beatportal.
Redeem a free Excite Audio Bloom Drum Machine Lite plugin (value $29) using code rayoflight at checkout.
Submit remixes through LabelRadar.

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