A potential feud is brewing between pop icons Madonna and Charli XCX, as the Queen of Pop appears to throw subtle shade at the Brat singer ahead of their respective album releases.
Madonna's Cryptic Post
Madonna took to Instagram with a photo dump featuring herself on a neon-lit dancefloor, wearing knee-high lace-up boots and a floaty white skirt. Her caption read: 'If your Dance floor feels dead. Maybe you're playing the wrong music.' This was immediately interpreted by fans as a jab at Charli XCX, who earlier this year told British Vogue: 'I think the dance floor is dead, so now we're making rock music.'
Charli's New Direction
Charli's new single, Rock Music, released last week, leans into dance and electronic roots but is carried by power chords on guitar, suggesting a departure from pure dance music. The lyrics are introspective and slightly sarcastic, singing about the pain she has put her body through to perform. Meanwhile, Madonna has been embracing dance wholeheartedly with her upcoming album Confessions II, a follow-up to her 2005 record Confessions on a Dance Floor. In her 'manifesto' for the new record, she declared 'the dance floor is a ritualistic space' and 'to rave is an art form.'
Fan Reactions
Fans quickly picked up on the apparent shade. One commented: 'OH THE CHARLI SHADE,' while another declared: 'I'm Team Madge on this one!' A third user tagged Charli and joked: 'Mom said your music is wrong.' On Reddit, a fan noted: 'I think Charli would love being shaded by Madonna. I certainly would.'
Some observers believe the rivalry could be beneficial. Charli's entire Brat era was built around being shady to haters and other artists, and the cross-referencing generates buzz. Charli's new single Rock Music debuted at number 36 on the UK singles chart and number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, a far cry from her previous success. Charli defended her new era on social media, writing: 'if you get me, you get me and if you don't, you don't. and thats ok.' She added: 'I'm not thinking about anything else while I'm making it. Not reception or audience or anything else. Just my connection with it and whether it feels honest to me.'
Upcoming Releases
Charli's next album does not yet have a release date, but she is teasing a new single, SS26, set to drop tomorrow. Madonna's Confessions II is scheduled for release on July 3, with singles Bring Your Love and I Feel So Free already available.
