Following the release of her second studio album Future Nostalgia (2020), Lipa was unable to embark on a promotional tour for the album due to the persisting pandemic of COVID-19.[1][2] Amidst the lockdown of the pandemic, the singer enlisted the help of American disc jockey the Blessed Madonna to create a studio remix album that would later become Club Future Nostalgia (2020).[3][4][5] For her rendition, the Blessed Madonna created the remix of "Levitating" with the intent of highlighting Lipa's solo vocals on the song.[6] After completing it, both Lipa and Blessed Madonna's team extended an invitation to American singer Madonna and rapper Missy Elliott to lend their contributions.[6][7] Madonna replaced the backing vocals and second verse in "Levitating", and featured several variations, including a brief rendition of her single "Lucky Star" (1983).[6] Elliott submitted her verse, which incorporated the use of an air horn.[8] The Blessed Madonna combined the three parts together, while at the request of Madonna, Dean completed the mixing and mastering of the song.[6] Although, Lipa's team had previously attempted to organise a collaboration between her and Madonna as reveled by her manager Ben Mawson.[9] The influence of Madonna on Future Nostalgia is evident in the use of British producer Stuart Price as a co-producer, who had worked with Madonna on her album Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005).[9] Then on 27 July 2020, Lipa announced the release of the remix of "Levitating" by the Blessed Madonna featuring Madonna and Elliott.[10][11] The remix was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by Warner on 13 August 2020 as the lead single from Lipa and the Blessed Madonna's album Club Future Nostalgia.[12]
