The April issue of UK music magazine Q features Madonna as one of the Five Essential Acts in music. Madonna is joined in this list by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, U2 and The Velvet Underground.

The magazine lists Like A Prayer as her definitive album saying:
And if you only buy one album....Like A Prayer. Always more interesting when not seeking novelty, Madonna hit artistic and commercial gold with Like A Prayer, her best and least contrived album. The title track, all swirling choruses and kitchen - sink production, remains her major statement, but Express Yourself was ferocious dance, while on the rarely lauded Dear Jessie she had never sounded so human.

The magazine also lists what they consider to be Madonna's essential singles:
Holiday, Borderline, Material Girl, Like A Virgin, Crazy For You, Into The Groove, Papa Don't Preach, La Isla Bonita, Open Your Heart, Live To Tell, Who's That Girl, Causing A Commotion, Vogue, Justify My Love, Ray Of Light, Frozen, Drowned World/Substitute For Love, Beautiful Stranger, Music, Hollywood.