"Me Against the Music" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from her fourth studio album, In the Zone (2003), featuring vocals by American singer Madonna. The singers co-wrote the song with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Thabiso "Tab" Nikhereanye, Penelope Magnet, Terius Nash and Gary O'Brien. It was released on October 14, 2003, by Jive Records, as the lead single of In the Zone. It became the first single to credit Madonna as a featured artist in her 20-year career. After bonding with Spears during a night in New York City, Stewart and Magnet started working on the song for her. During rehearsals for the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Spears played Madonna the track and asked her to collaborate.