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Madonna Honors Late Producer William Orbit on Instagram

8/8/2026

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Summary

Madonna Honors Orbit

Madonna posted an Instagram tribute in the United Kingdom after William Orbit died on 23 July 2026.
Orbit’s family announced his death on Friday, 7 August 2026, requested privacy and gave no cause.
Madonna said working with Orbit gave her an epiphany, showed music need not fit genres, and inspired “Drowned World/Substitute for Love.”
She noted that their 1998 Ray of Light album won the 1999 Grammy for Pop Vocal Album.

Summary

Orbit Reveals Past

He revealed in March he finished an album meant as a spiritual successor to Madonna’s Ray of Light, which she ignored.
He told a 2021 interview that heavy drug use caused a psychotic episode that resulted in his being sectioned.
He co-founded Guerilla Records and ran Guerilla Studios, which later issued early releases by Leftfield and Underworld.

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Madonna Honors Orbit

Madonna posted an Instagram tribute in the United Kingdom after William Orbit died on 23 July 2026.
Orbit’s family announced his death on Friday, 7 August 2026, requested privacy and gave no cause.
Madonna said working with Orbit gave her an epiphany, showed music need not fit genres, and inspired “Drowned World/Substitute for Love.”
She noted that their 1998 Ray of Light album won the 1999 Grammy for Pop Vocal Album.

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