Linda Perry Sentil Madonna: Stop Chasing Trends, Be a Leader Again

JAKARTA - Linda Perry, the musician of 4 Non Blondes and the writer of the hit song "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera, wants to work with Madonna. But before that, she had a spicy message for the Queen of Pop: stop chasing trends and get back to being yourself.

Quoted from HuffPost, Thursday, May 28, Perry named Madonna as the number one dream collaborator. However, he judged Madonna's latest work was too busy following the current music trends today.

"Lately, I feel like he's a follower," Perry said in a video interview with Consequence. "He's following trends. He's trying to compete with Charli XCX and this-that. Everything about him seems weak to me, and not strong."

Perry even said he wanted to bring Madonna into the studio and "build her up" to get back to her old strength.

"Wake up, get back to who Madonna really is and what you stand for. You are a leader," Perry said.

Perry became widely known after 4 Non Blondes released "What's Up?" in 1993. He then wrote and produced big songs such as Pink's "Get the Party Started" and Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful". He has also worked with Adele, Celine Dion, and Ariana Grande.

According to Perry, the ideal album with Madonna should not rely on auto-tune, effects, or electronic sounds. Auto-tune is a technology for correcting or changing the singer's voice tone.

Perry wanted to highlight Madonna's original voice in a more open and acoustic recording. He imagined Madonna singing with a string arrangement, sitting in front of an audience, and letting her vocal shortcomings be heard for what they were.

Despite his sharp criticism, Perry still acknowledges Madonna's great position in the history of pop music.

"She's one of the greats. She taught women to be strong and to be themselves," Perry said.

He also praised Madonna as a figure who dared to change the color of music from one album to another.

According to HuffPost, Madonna has not responded to Perry's comments publicly.

In July, Madonna is scheduled to release Confessions II, the follow-up to her landmark 2005 album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Last month, she gave a glimpse of new music through a surprise appearance in Sabrina Carpenter's set at Coachella.

Meanwhile, Perry is promoting Let It Die Here, his first solo album in 25 years, as well as a documentary of the same title.

Last weekend, Perry also reunited with 4 Non Blondes in their first full-length concert in 30 years at the BottleRock Napa Valley festival, California.

Perry's criticism felt harsh because it came from fellow songwriters who had produced a number of big hits. For Perry, Madonna doesn't need to chase trends. Madonna was known as an artist who made others chase her.