In 2013, Beyoncé released her self-titled album as a surprise drop. With fans and music enthusiasts up in arms, the Houston native created an uproar worldwide as people scrambled to get a piece of what the Queen was offering.
Fast forward to Summer 2022, and Beyoncé dropped her most recent project, “Renaissance.” With heavy influence from vintage dance, house, and disco records — the “Single Ladies” singer, yet again, had the world in a tizzy, ready to consume her music. This time, however, her musical offering came with some questions about the business of her production, and artists like Right Said Fred have spoken out about it.
The album “Renaissance” is credited with several samples and interpolations, and the third track on the album, “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” is no different. The song features an interpolation from the 1992 song “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred.
The U.K. duo alleges that Mrs. Knowles-Carter used the interpolation without receiving their blessing. According to The Sun, they said they knew nothing of the song until after the fact.
“Normally the artist approaches us, but Beyoncé didn’t because she is such an arrogant person,” Right Said Fred told The Sun. “She just had probably thought, ‘come and get me, so we heard about it after the fact when you did.”
And while the duo is now being outspoken about what they deem to be the use of their music without permission, people have scratched their heads because Robert Francis Anthony Manzoli and Richard Peter John Fairbrass, the writers of “I’m Too Sexy,” are appropriately credited on the album.
Although Beyonce is usually quiet and only pops out to give us good music and a stunning Instagram montage, the 41-year-old addressed the situation head-on.
E! News reports that Beyoncé confirmed Right Said Fred’s complaint was “erroneous” as their publishing team cleared their song for its use.
“Permission was not only granted for its use, but they publicly spoke of their gratitude for being on the album,” Beyoncé said in a statement to E! News. “For their song, there was no sound recording use; only the composition was utilized. Permission was asked of their publisher on May 11, 2022, and the publisher approved the use on June 15, 2022. They were paid for the usage in August 2022.”
Although Right Said Fred was adamant about their feelings regarding the song before Beyoncé’s response, they also reconciled to just letting it go.
“We can’t stop it. There is nothing we can do. It is s–t,” they reportedly told The Sun. “You are going to get into a conversation with someone who has a lot more presence and power and money than we do. And that won’t go well. It’s best to let it go. If you’re not careful, you spend your life looking back. We keep looking forward the whole time.”
