The leader of the Beehive, Beyonce has removed the interpolation of “Milkshake” from the song “Energy” from her new album Renaissance. This after controversy came from Kelis for featuring the hit 2003 song, without her consent or information, saying it was theft.
The release of Renaissance has been rocky with the media side-shows that have overshadowed the reviews.
The album was leaked in France two days before its official release like its 1999 and Napster is still leaking albums. Just days ago a Beyonce rep said she would be removing the word “spaz” from her another song “Heated” on the album CNN reports.
On the track Beyoncé sings, “Spazzin’ on that ass, spazz on that ass.” The offensive term is derived from “spastic,” which refers to the medical condition spastic cerebral palsy.
Reps for the singer told CNN in a statement that “the word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.” It’s currently unclear when the new version of “Heated” will become available.
Back in June, Lizzo faced similar backlash for using the same ableist language on her song “Grrrls” and updated the track after receiving criticism. She has since removed the word.
“It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS.’ Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language,” Lizzo wrote at the time. “As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hateful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change.”
The Kelis- Beyonce saga started when the former Neptunes artist said, “(they should) have the common sense and decency to reach out, a manager, an agent anybody should be like heads up this is what we are doing even if you are gonna do it anyway.”
Kelis is credited on the song although only Pharrell and Chad Hugo are credited as writers on the original.
When the the full album credits were released it was discovered that the song interpolates “Milkshake” and it wasn’t as Kelis has inferred but after listening to the track. Kelis then took to instagram to further Chastise the Queen Bee’s creative process.
She posted on Instagram, “I just heard the record everyone is saying has my sample . But it’s beyond this song at this point . 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 . But 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 .”
“Energy” also samples Big Freedia’s 8 year old track “Explode” and was produced by Skrillex, Al Cres, Beam, and Beyoncé.
Following the two removals from ‘Heated,’ and Energy, Monica Lewinsky has also requested Beyoncé to remove a lyric about her from her 2013 song ‘Partition.’ The lyrics: “He popped all my buttons, and he ripped my blouse/ He Monica Lewinsky-ed all on my gown.”
uhmm, while we’re at it… #Partition
Beyoncé to Remove Renaissance Lyric After Outrage: Ableist, Offensive – Variety https://t.co/DzN80FdzPB
— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) August 1, 2022
Monica said she had reached out to Beyonce via an article in 2014 but fans are saying she is “clout chasing” to bring up the song now.
During her TED Talk, Monica Lewinsky mentioned that she’s been referenced in almost 40 rap songs by artists like Beyoncé, Eminem, Lil B, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Jeezy.
Using data provided by Genius, the World Music Views discovered that some variation of her name has been dropped in more than 128 songs. Lewinksy is most commonly rhymed with whiskey, and at least two songs are entirely about her: G-Eazy’s “Monica Lewinsky” and, “Splashin’ Over Monica” by Mr. Live.
