1998 MTV Video Music Awards

Another album, another transformation. For 1998's Ray of Light, Madonna created a more trance-sounding vibe that was lauded by Rolling Stone as "the first mainstream pop album that successfully embraces techno." Madonna's experimentation de jour didn't end with music -- she also began her quest to examine religions Catholicism (later marked by her observance of Kabbalah) by dabbling in forms of Indian spirituality. In fact, Ray of Light included Hindi chants, which Madonna perfected with the help of an actual Sanskrit grammarian and linguist. The album was another smashing success for Madonna, winning three Grammy Awards in 1999.

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