MDNA is the twelfth studio album by American singer Madonna, released on March 23, 2012, by Interscope Records. The album was conceived while the singer was busy filming her directorial venture, W.E., throughout 2011. Madonna began recording in July 2011 and collaborated with producers including Alle Benassi, Benny Benassi, Demolition Crew, Free School, Michael Malih, Indiigo, William Orbit, and Martin Solveig, with Orbit and Solveig serving as the record's primary producers. The album features guest appearances by female rappers M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. The recording process was smooth, although Madonna had difficulty working with Benny Benassi, who did not speak fluent English, and used his cousin Alle Benassi as an interpreter. A pop and EDM album, MDNA consists of upbeat songs whose lyrics explore themes of partying, love for music, and infatuation, as well as heartbreak, revenge, and separation. The album's title is a triple entendre, alluding to DNA, MDMA, and Madonna's name. Its allusion to MDMA drew criticism from an anti-drug group. MDNA was Madonna's first release under the 360 deal she had signed with Live Nation in 2007 and the three-album deal with Interscope in 2012. The record was promoted through Madonna's performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show and the MDNA Tour, the latter of which became one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. Four singles were released—"Give Me All Your Luvin'", "Girl Gone Wild", "Masterpiece" and "Turn Up the Radio". Its first single reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, extending Madonna's then-record as the artist with the most top-ten singles in the chart's history. Music critics were ambivalent toward the album. MDNA topped the record charts in many major music markets. Madonna set a new record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist in Australia and the United Kingdom. MDNA was the twelfth best-selling album of 2012 globally, and went on to sell two million copies. Billboard ranked Madonna as the ninth top-charting female artist of the year.
