There's only one Madonna.
But even the pop star acknowledges that there is one artist who comes close.
"Kanye is the new Madonna," the singer told the New York Daily News in an exclusive new interview. "Kanye is the black Madonna."
Madonna is singing rapper Kanye West's praises after he collaborated on three tracks on her newest album, "Rebel Heart," which will be released Tuesday.
Madonna Falls During Brit Awards Performance Madonna Set Record Straight on Lady GagaBesides music, the two share a love for pushing boundaries.
"We know, and recognize, that we have that in common," she told the newspaper. "We’re comrades in the envelope-pushing genre."
Just because Madonna recognizes West as one of her heirs doesn't mean she's ready to give up the spotlight.
At 56, she's still challenging norms, including around aging.
"People have always judged me, and given me s*** about one thing or another. Now they’re giving me s*** about age," said the singer, who caught flack about showing a little much of her backside at the Grammys.
"I take care of myself. I’m in good shape. I can show my ass when I’m 56, or 66 -- or 76," she said, recently crediting her active lifestyle with saving her from injuries during her tumble at the Brit Awards. "Who’s to say when I can show my ass? It’s sexism. It’s ageism. And it’s a kind of discrimination."
Most of the flack, she said, comes from women.
"I feel I should be hearing support -- like, 'Good for you,'" she said, adding that one day she believes she'll be validated.
"It’s like everything else," she said. "I’m opening doors for women behind me who one day won’t have to deal with this s*** that I deal with."