04:21 PM EDT 05/27/2008

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Madonna World Tour Kicks Off in August | Madonna

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Madonna World Tour Kicks Off in August

Originally posted 05/08/2008 10:30AM

Madonna will kick off her "Sticky and Sweet" world tour on Aug. 23 in Cardiff, Wales, the 49-year-old pop star announced Wednesday. The aptly-titled tour follows the release of her latest chart-topping album Hard Candy.

After Cardiff, the tour will continue through Europe, making stops in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as elsewhere in the U.K., including a Sept. 11 performance at London's Wembley Stadium.

The tour's North American leg kicks off Oct. 3 in East Rutherford, N.J., followed by 17 performances in the U.S. and Canada, including N.Y.C.'s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, and L.A.'s Dodger Stadium on Nov. 6. The final U.S. date is on Nov. 26 at Miami's Dolphin Stadium.

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Madonna Releases Her New Album Early

Madonna Releases Her New Album Early

Originally posted 04/25/2008 08:00AM

Madonna debuted her new album Hard Candy Friday on MySpace – four days before the album's official release date.

The hip-hop laced album has 12 tracks, including collaborations with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams. The album-closer, for example, "Voices," features production by Timberlake, Timbaland and Nate "Danjahandz" Hills. The song builds to a dark, cinematic crescendo, as the album ends with one lone tone.

Kanye West also offers a fast-paced rap on "Beat Goes On," the eighth track, breathlessly rapping, "I think I'm going to try something new."

Madonna's decision to release her eleventh studio album for Warner Bros. Records on MySpace before it lands in stores, follows similar moves by Nine Inch Nails, Black Eyed Peas, Outkast and 50 Cent, who also premiered their albums on MySpace.