Beyonce Accused Of Stealing Music From Kelis Ahead Of 'Renaissance' Release
By Kay on July 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM EDT
Beyonce has a lot of drama surrounding her new album “Renaissance”and it isn’t even out yet. Singer Kelis has been yelling from the mountain tops that queen Bey sampled a song of hers and she is yet to hear from the R&B singer to ask permission.
Is Beyonce Stealing Music?
Kelis is claiming that her song “Get Along With You” from her 1999 album "Kaleidoscope" is sampled on Bey’s track “Energy”. Not only did Kelis not clear the track, she claims that everyone else involved with the '99 single was in on the collaboration.
Kelis was only made aware of the sample because a fan account tagged her cooking account to congratulate her. Kelis didn’t want the praise. “My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding,” she commented.
“I heard about this the same way everyone else did. Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled.”
Beyonce May Not Need Kelis’ Permission
According to Tidal, the Kelis track is said to be written by Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams, Rob Walker, and the Neptunes. Hugo and Williams are also listed as lyricists and composers. No mention of Kelis at all.
The singer-turned-chef has mentioned in the past that she and Williams are not on the best of terms. She is now eluding to this being the reason why she was left uncredited on Beyonce’s new album.
In 2020 Kelis shared with The Guardian that she still hasn’t made any money off of her first two albums, the ones she worked on with Williams and his team. “I was told we were going to split the whole thing 33/33/33, which we didn’t do.” Kelis also claimed that she “blatantly lied to and tricked” by “the Neptunes and their management and their lawyers and all that stuff.”
Chances are she never had credit, to begin with, and she was today years old when she found out the facts, unfortunately.
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Beyonce Is Sampling Other Artist
Kelis is the second artist connected with “Renaissance” to claim they had no idea their work was being used by Beyonce. The reclusive singer dropped the track “Break My Soul” that sampled Robin. S’s track “Show Me Love”. The credited songwriters are Allen George and Fred McFarlane.
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Robin only knew she was being sampled because her son told her she was trending. You would think someone like Beyonce who claims to have so much admiration for her fellow artist would reach out and say a thing or two, whether she was legally obligated or not.
Robin was less defensive about the sample than Kelis. She even thanked the singer publicly. "This is Robin S, and this message goes out to the Queen Bey herself, Beyoncé, to Jay-Z, to the entire team: Thank you so much for giving me my flowers while I’m still alive. I am honored, and I’m excited to see what else can happen," shared on social media.
No Formal Contracts For Anyone
Beyonce is lucky she is who she is because Robin. S and Kelis are claiming there were no official contracts in place. Kelis is going as far as to say, “it’s not a collab it’s theft.” This is Beyonce’s seventh studio album and her fans have been anxiously waiting for something. That being said, a little more dotting “I”s and crossing “t”s would be helpful and less scandalous.
Since the drama started, Kelis has posted follow up videos on IG explaining her point and why she is so triggered. “I just heard the record everyone is saying has my sample . But it’s beyond this song at this point, “ she wrote to her followers.
“This was a TRIGGER for me . Milkshake alone is one of the most licensed records of our generation. I am a creator , I’m an innovator, I have done more then left my mark on an era of music and style that will go down in history .”
Kelis shared that one of the reasons why the industry is so touch is the social climate. “There are bully’s and secrets and gangsters in this industry that smile and get away with it until someone says enough is enough . So I’m saying it today . I’m coming for what’s mine and I want reparations . Peace .
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Meanwhile, Beyonce Is Chilling
While everyone is up in arms, Beyonce continues to drop promotional content ahead of the album release. The latest drop is throwback photos of her parents and never before seen photos of her three children with Jay Z.
If that doesn’t read unbothered, then what does?