Kelis accuses Beyoncé of “stealing” on an excerpt from “Renaissance”
Kelis accused Beyoncé of “stealing” after Queen Bey sampled her 1999 song “Get Along With You” in “Energy.”
The “Milkshake” singer, 42, took to Instagram to share her grievances on Thursday, a day before Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album was released.
“My mind is also blown because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance from all 3 parties involved is staggering,” read a comment from Kelis’ @bountyandfull Instagram account on the fan account post.
“I heard about it the same way everyone else does,” she continued. “Nothing is ever what it seems, some people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have fooled everyone.”
When an Instagram user called the track “the collaboration the world really needs,” Kelis clapped back.
“It’s not collaboration, it’s theft,” she wrote, calling the sampling “ridiculous.”
The chef then posted Instagram videos describing his “problems” with Beyoncé, 40, saying she felt “sensitive about [her] s–t” as a musician.
“Not only are we black female artists in an industry where there aren’t that many of us, but we’ve met, we know each other, we have mutual friends. It’s not that hard to contact [me],” she said. “It’s just common decency…even if you’re gonna do it anyway.”
Kelis clarified that her “real beef” was not with the Ivy Park creator, alleging producer Pharell Williams “cheated” her out of the rights to his music.
“Pharell knows best,” she claimed. “It’s a direct hit for me. The reality is that it’s frustrating. I have every right to be frustrated.
After calling the move “passive aggressive, mean-spirited [and] stupid,” Kelis shared a second video captioned, “There are bullies [sic] and secrets and gangsters in this industry who smile and get away with it until someone says enough is enough. So I say it today. I come for what is mine and I want reparations.
Fans shared mixed feelings via Twitter. on the former ‘Pitch Battle’ judge’s accusations.
“She just wanted to be warned. I totally understand her outrage,” one social media user wrote, while another added, “Beyoncé might [have] forgot the name Kelis. Instead, Bey put Kelis’ name on the sample credits list. …Kelis needs 2 to take back his misplaced anger with his old label.
A third noted that it was “OK to understand Kelis’ point of view and always support Beyoncé”, explaining: “My hope is that a conversation takes place between them. Black queens can have conflicts and also solve.
Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album dropped on streaming services Friday, although all 16 tracks were leaked online two days prior.
Page Six has reached out to reps for Kelis and Beyoncé for comment.
Leave a Comment