Madonna and Charli XCX were never really beefing, and if you thought they were, you're a bit naïve. But when Charli was promoting "Rock Music" by proclaiming that the dancefloor was dead, Madonna made a shady Instagram post: "If your Dance floor feels dead ... Maybe you’re playing the wrong music." It was clear that it was manufactured when, by the time "Wink Wink" was out, Madonna and Charli were smoking and DJing together at a fashion show and its afterparty. Now, they're finally sharing a collaboration.
In July, Madonna released the much-hyped Confessions II and its third single was "Danceteria," named after the early '80s NYC club that was instrumental to her career. Madonna interpolated "Walk On The Wild Side" a bit on on the track, and namechecked iconic downtown figures like Fab Five Freddy and Jean-Michel Basquiat. She produced it with Andrew Watt, Cirkut and Stuart Price. The "Afterhours Mix" with Charli was teased it with a fun Instagram reel last week.
In her new verses, Charli recounts her own origin story, referencing A. G. Cook, SOPHIE, Le Couteau Jaune, and Myspace. "@madonna is the one who paved the way for us all," Charli writes. "she did it before we even dared to think it. to work with you on this song, to step into your world, your process, your detail: it was all just brilliant. thank you for everything <33333"
The album track, last month's Harry Romero remix, and this new Afterhours Mix are collected on a new CD single. Check out Madonna and Charli below.
"Danceteria," you also may recall, was Stereogum readers' #1 Song Of The Summer.
On Sunday, Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. It’s her first performance at the show in 23 years and a record-breaking fifth overall. She also leads the nominations with 13.
