Madonna Brings Gospel Choir, Bulls for ‘Living for Love’ at Grammys

Madonna brought her latest video to life on the Grammy stage. Sticking with the horned dancers and matador theme, the legendary singer was out for blood with her first live performance of the Diplo-produced Rebel Heart single “Living for Love.” She fought with the bulls, rolled out a gospel choir and was hoisted into the air over the course of her energetic time onstage. 

Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj introduced the singer, amicably calling her “bitch.” “She told me to call her that,” Cyrus said.

Last year, Madonna appeared during Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Grammy performance of “Same Love,” singing her classic “Open Your Heart” after over 30 couples wed live during the performance. 

Madonna has no nominations this year, given that her most recent release was 2012’s MDNA. Following a leak and subsequent emergency release of six news songs, the pop icon is preparing to release the rest of her Rebel Heart album on March 10th. She has been nominated 28 times since 1986, winning exclusively in the Dance and Music Video categories.

Rebel Heart will feature production credits from Diplo, Avicii and Kanye West, among others, and guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Chance the Rapper, Mike Tyson and Nas. The release of numerous songs turned out to be a triumph for Madonna after the massive leak,  as the singer completed the six finished tracks within days of the unauthorized release. “She was devastated,” noted Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary in an interview with Rolling Stone. In January, an Israeli man was arrested over the leak of the early demos.