Madonna celebrates 30th Anniversary of her controversial Like a Prayer music video
Pop icon Madonna celebrated the 30th anniversary of one of her most iconic songs, Like a Prayer.
The 60 year old singer took to Twitter and Instagram to celebrate the release of her iconic music video, which was incredibly controversial at the time.
The singer talked about how controversial the video was at the time, though it seems rather tame by today's standards.
![Anniversary: Madonna celebrates the 30th Anniversary of her song Like a Prayer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/05/01/10582066-0-image-a-47_1551750825388.jpg)
Anniversary: Madonna celebrates the 30th Anniversary of her song Like a Prayer
'30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses,' she said.
'I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy,' the diva added.
'#LikeAPrayer meant to post this yesterday but was blocked!' she added. 'What a shocker!'
![Banned: '30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses,' she said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/05/01/10582120-0-image-a-48_1551751143013.jpg)
Banned: '30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses,' she said
The music video, directed by Mary Lambert (Pet Sematary), features burning crosses from the Ku Klux Klan and a dream sequence with Madonna making love to a black saint.
The day after the music video was released, The Vatican condemned the music video.
The video was also featured in a Pepsi commercial shortly after its release, which called for religious groups to boycott Pepsi and its subsidiary products.
![Madonna and controversy: 'I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy,' the diva added](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/05/02/10582446-0-image-a-49_1551751786198.jpg)
Madonna and controversy: 'I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy,' the diva added
Despite the controversy, the song was universally acclaimed and won the Viewer's Choice Award at the Video Music Awards.
During MTV's 25th Anniversary, viewers voted it the Most Groundbreaking Music Video of All Time.
In a 2011 Billboard poll, fans voted it the second best music video of all time, just behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.
![Big hit: Despite the controversy, the song was universally acclaimed and won the Viewer's Choice Award at the Video Music Awards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/05/02/10582568-6771573-image-a-51_1551752413634.jpg)
Big hit: Despite the controversy, the song was universally acclaimed and won the Viewer's Choice Award at the Video Music Awards
Like a Prayer is a song Madonna still performs regularly, including at the 2018 Met Gala, where she performed that song along with a new song called Beautiful Game and a cover of Leonard Bernstein's Hallelujah.
She also announced in January 2014 that she was working on her 14th studio album, though there is no indication as to when that might be released.
She is also slated to direct the upcoming MGM film Taking Flight, based on Michaela DePrince's memoir.
![New album: She also announced in January 2014 that she was working on her 14th studio album, though there is no indication as to when that might be released](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/05/02/10582566-6771573-image-a-52_1551752594950.jpg)
New album: She also announced in January 2014 that she was working on her 14th studio album, though there is no indication as to when that might be released
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