Wouldn’t it be an honor for one of the top-selling artists of all time to feature some of your art within their own works? Kelis, singer-turned-Hollywood chef, doesn’t think so.
Through social media, the “Milkshake” singer was made aware that her headlining, hit song made it on to Beyoncé’s highly anticipated seventh studio album, Renaissance, as an interpolation — a technique for making music by using a melody from a previously recorded song.
Instead of jumping for joy at the massive nod on the song “Energy” by the celebrated Grammy winner, Kelis went on social media with an explosive rant about intellectual property theft. Her main concern was that she wasn’t informed about the use of her music, nor credited, with writing and producer credits going to her former collaborators, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes.
Fast-forward a few days after the album’s release on July 29 and Queen Bey has made her ruling on the matter. The “Milkshake” interpolation sung by Beyoncé, which many mistook as a full sample, has been removed. Without not so much as a word from Beyoncé’s camp, a new version of “Energy” is now available on streaming platforms and it is absent of the “La-la, la-la, la” made famous by Kelis.
From a business perspective, Beyoncé’s camp went through the proper procedure to secure clearance for the use of the “Milkshake” melody. From an artist empowerment perspective, Beyoncé’s camp did the respectful thing by honoring Kelis’ wishes.
Beyoncé has gone far and beyond to show respect to those with concerns regarding anything in her album that doesn’t align with her messaging. Just before the “Milkshake” issue, a word considered ableist, or discrimination in favor of able-bodied people, was removed from her song, “Heated,” in order to not offend the disabled community.
Photo Credit: © Madison McGaw/BFAnyc.com
