Meet The Winners of Madonna’s “Ray Of Light” Global Remix Challenge

After receiving 1,968 remix submissions, Beatport, Warner Music, and Madonna have officially crowned the winner of our "Ray of Light" Global Remix Challenge.

Beatport

3 min •

Oct 31, 2025

Every year, Beatport invites producers from around the world to reimagine iconic records through our Global Remix Challenge — a creative tradition that celebrates the boundless spirit of dance music. This year, along with Rhino Entertainment, Warner Records, and LabelRadar, we partnered with none other than Madonna to give producers a chance to remix her Grammy-winning hit “Ray of Light.” The response was incredible, with just under 2,000 submissions pouring in from across the globe – each one a testament to the song’s timeless influence and the global reach of electronic music today.

Standing out from the pack with their radiant production and undeniable groove, Brazilian artists Bruna Strait and MARVITTO have been crowned this year’s winners for their collaborative remix. Selected personally by Madonna and William Orbit, the track’s transcendent energy while infusing it with the rhythm and emotion that define Brazil’s thriving dance scene.

The duo’s collaborative chemistry has long been a force in their country’s club circuit. MARVITTO, a Rio-based DJ and producer celebrated for his emotive house sound and vibrant live presence, joined forces with Bruna Strait – a multifaceted powerhouse who’s lit up stages from Rock in Rio Lisbon to Green Valley and Surreal Park. Together, they’ve reimagined “Ray of Light” for a new generation of dance floors, bridging eras while honoring Madonna’s legacy.

In our exclusive interview, Bruna Straight and MARVITTO reflect on their creative process, the rise of Brazilian electronic music, and how Madonna’s message of freedom, self-expression, and transformation continues to move artists around the world.

Explore their answers and listen to their winning remix submission below!

Congratulations! To begin, what does winning this remix challenge mean to you personally and professionally? Have you had a chance to celebrate?

Personally and professionally, it means the world to us. Beyond being DJs and producers, we’re huge fans of Madonna – she’s a massive inspiration for our work and a powerful symbol in the fight for LGBTQIAPN+ rights. As queer artists, this win feels deeply personal.

And yes, we definitely celebrated! We’ve supported each other as friends and collaborators for years, so sharing this moment was really special — especially since we got the news on Marvitto’s birthday!

Tell us about your creative process: how did you approach reinterpreting “Ray of Light” while balancing respect for the original and injecting your own style?

Creating a remix of such an iconic and historic anthem is always a tremendous challenge. Our biggest goal was to honor the essence of the original track while reinventing it with our own signature sound – a blend of classic house music elements and our distinct Brazilian influence, especially the strong, driving percussion inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s samba.

Were there any specific production techniques, software, or hardware that became central in your remix – anything you’d like to highlight?

We both use Ableton Live for production, along with synthesizers like Serum and extensive sample research. Most of our creative process lies in crafting new chopped sounds from existing ones. Our work is always driven by the pursuit of an original and fresh sonic identity rooted in Brazilian music, with the distinctive rhythms and textures of Samba shining through the tracks.

What was the most challenging part of creating your version, and how did you overcome it?

The toughest part was ensuring the samba percussion didn’t clash with the many layers from both the original track and our own production. We spent a lot of time on the mix, carving out space for every sound so each element could breathe and complement the rest.

Did you have a “breakthrough” or an ear-opening moment while working on it?

Absolutely. There was a point where we started doubting the direction the track was heading – even questioning if we should submit it at all. But after countless revisions and tweaks, we landed on something we were genuinely proud of. We had zero expectations of winning, so when we did, it was an incredible surprise – a reminder that taking risks and trusting your instincts always pays off.

What influences shaped your remix direction – and did Madonna’s original inspire you in a new way?

As house music DJs and staying true to our musical identity, the main idea behind our remix was to build on the foundations and elements of house music – piano chord progressions, striking vocals, and a strong groove – while incorporating percussion and samba elements to give it the Brazilian identity we wanted. Being DJs, we approached the track with the club in mind, imagining it ready to move the dance floor, obviously inspired by Madonna’s iconic contributions to the scene. We’re also very excited for the release of Confessions on the Dancefloor 2.

Now that you’ve won, what’s next? What are your plans for 2026?

Production is central to both of our sets, so we’re focusing on releasing new originals and remixes throughout 2026. Bruna is also performing for the first time at Lollapalooza Brazil, sharing the stage with Skrillex, Sabrina Carpenter, and Peggy Gou. Looking ahead, one of our biggest dreams is to perform at Tomorrowland – a festival we both love deeply.