Photo: WENN

Madonna has discussed accusations that she is a member of the Illuminati, saying, "when people refer to me as a member of the Illuminati, I always want to say thank you."

The singer was recently forced to bring forward release plans for her new album, Rebel Heart, after it was leaked in its entirety online. She also officially released six tracks, one of which is called 'Illuminati'.

Speaking to Rolling Stone of the song, which was produced by Kanye West, Madonna said: "People are always using the word Illuminati but they're always referencing it in an incorrect way. People often accuse me of being a member of the Illuminati and I think in today's pop culture the Illuminati is perceived as a group of powerful, successful people who are working behind the scenes to control the universe. Not people with consciousness, not people who are enlightened."

She continued: "The real Illuminati were a group of scientists, artists, philosophers, writers, who came about in what is referred to as the Age of Enlightenment, after the Dark Ages, when there was no writing and no art and no creativity and no spirituality, and life was really at a standstill.

"Of course they were powerful, because they influenced people. But their goal was to inspire and enlighten. So when people refer to me as a member of the Illuminati, I always want to say thank you. Thank you for putting me in that category."

Rebel Heart is officially released on 10 March, but six songs are available to download now upon pre-ordering the album.