Madonna has paid tribute to the late William Orbit, the Grammy-winning music producer who died on Friday at the age of 69. Orbit was renowned for his groundbreaking collaboration with Madonna on her 1998 album "Ray of Light," an album that earned them critical acclaim and a Grammy Award.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Madonna expressed her gratitude, calling Orbit a "genius" and a significant inspiration throughout her career. She shared a video clip of them accepting their Grammy together and reflected on their creative partnership.
"I had an epiphany when I met you and started working with you," Madonna wrote. "I realized that music did not have to fit into categories or genres. So we created our own. You pressed a magic button inside of me and I fell into a galaxy of unrealized dreams."
She described how Orbit's music provided a "magic carpet to fly on," allowing her to explore new vocal styles and lyrical approaches. Madonna noted that her daughter Lola was born around the same time as the "Ray of Light" project, marking a new chapter in her life.
"I was starting a new chapter, I was choosing another road to walk down-and you were right by my side with your crooked teeth and your genius, way of hearing music," she continued. "The studio was often church like and I would sit in silence, waiting for your ideas to explode out of your keyboard or your guitar and then I would run with them."
Madonna specifically credited Orbit with inspiring songs like "Drowned World" and "Swim," adding, "You were so otherworldly. So singular."
Orbit's family and friends announced his death on Friday, stating he passed away at home on July 23. No cause of death was provided. A statement shared on his social media read, "It is with profound sadness that the family and friends with of William Orbit announce that William died at home on 23rd July 2026. We are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness."
Beyond his work with Madonna, Orbit was also known for his contributions to other notable artists, including Blur, U2, and All Saints. He produced some of Madonna's other iconic tracks such as "Frozen" and "The Power of Goodbye."
Orbit's career, which began in the 1980s as a member of the electronic group Torch Song, spanned decades. He released several solo albums, including his "Strange Cargo" series, and his final solo album, "The Painter," was released in 2022. He had a prolific career, with his production credits contributing to over 200 million recordings sold worldwide.
Other artists also shared their tributes. Singer Sonique recalled him as one of the first people she worked with. Melanie C, who collaborated with Orbit on her solo album "Northern Star," called it an "honour to have worked with this great man." All Saints member Nicole Appleton expressed her sadness, highlighting how Orbit made her feel confident in the studio and brought out the best in her.
In March, Orbit had mentioned that he had an album ready that he considered a successor to "Ray of Light." He revealed in a Facebook post that he had reached out to Madonna about the project but had not received a response. Despite this, he stated he held no hard feelings, emphasizing his love for the artist and acknowledging her role in his career.
Madonna had previously described Orbit as a "complete madman genius" in an interview with The Guardian, detailing their collaborative process in the studio.
Orbit had also spoken openly about his past struggles with substance use in 2021, describing a psychotic episode he experienced due to a combination of drugs. He was subsequently hospitalized and recovered after the substances were out of his system.