Beyoncé’s much-awaited Renaissance album has plenty of energy and dancefloor-friendly songs, but it also had its fair share of turmoil.
Bey has faced challenges throughout the release of her seventh album, including an unexpected leak, annoyances with interpolations, the debate about the number of songwriters credited on the tracks as a result of those interpolations, and post-release lyric changes because the song “Heated” contained offensive language.
Being the most divisive album Beyoncé has ever released, numerous people have taken issue with various parts of it. Regarding some aspects of the album, Beyoncé has changed her tune, and the Beehive has addressed other critiques.
Leak before Publication
Two days before the album’s release, the drama surrounding Renaissance erupted. Renaissance was a CD that could be purchased in stores.
The BeyHive, Beyoncé’s loyal fandom, erupted on Twitter in response to the Renaissance leak, urging one another to hold off on listening to leaks until the official release date.
“So, the album leaked and you all really waited till the right release time so you all can enjoy it together,” said Beyoncé on Instagram after the album was released. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I can’t express how grateful I am for your support and care. I appreciate you pointing out anyone trying to enter the club early and calling them out. It truly means a lot to me.
What About the Lyrics to Beyoncé’s Song “renaissance” Offends You?
Beyoncé and Canadian rapper Drake collaborated on the song “Heated,” which features the terms “spaz” and “spazzing” among a slew of Afro beats with fast bars and the singer’s furious vocals. This fascinating and amazing record of black music history spans six decades.
On Renaissance, one song contained a slur. The phrases “spaz” and “spazzin” were used in the song “Heated,” which are derogatory to people with cerebral palsy, a disorder that impairs motor function in the arms and legs. Disability rights activists alerted Beyoncé to the word’s use in the song and requested that she change the lyrics.
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The singer’s spokesperson responded to the criticism by stating that the word was “not used purposefully in a damaging way, will be replaced.”
Since then, the term “blast” has been added to the song on music streaming services. Lizzo received criticism in June for utilizing the same phrase in her song “Grrrls,” which she has since changed.
Here Are the Main Renaissance-Related Debates.
Beyoncé is accused by Diane Warren of having too many songwriters.
Famed songwriter Diane Warren seemed to criticize Beyoncé’s songwriting in a tweet asking, “How can there be 24 writers on a song,” which was obviously a dig at the lengthy list of writers who contributed to the song “Alien Superstar.”
Beyoncé’s fanbase, the Beyhive, and singer-songwriter The Dream all jumped to Warren’s rescue. The Dream corrected Warren with a history lesson on Black music and sampling, causing Warren to emphasize that she didn’t mean any offense.
Beyoncé is accused of borrowing from “Milkshake” by Kelis.
Speaking of album credits, Beyoncé was sued by Kelis for interpolating her successful song “Milkshake” on the Renaissance track “Energy” without her consent or even letting her know that it was going to happen. Despite not explicitly responding to the request, Beyoncé reportedly changed the song on streaming sites to delete the sample, according to Rolling Stone.
Fox News targets the lyrics and aesthetic of Renaissance
The lyrics of Beyoncé were criticized by conservative observers, as is sometimes the case with Fox News. The controversial album was the subject of a broadcast on Fox News, and anchor Brian Kilmeade took advantage of the occasion to criticize the album’s graphic lyrics and usage of “filthy slang for male/female genitalia.” The broadcaster suggested that Beyoncé should tone down her lyrics in her role as a parent. Fans strongly criticized the conservative commentator, as was to be expected.
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Beyoncé used an ableist epithet before retraction.
The Renaissance story on Fox News was related to a more serious situation in which the singer was criticized for using an ableist epithet. Beyoncé, like Lizzo before her, received criticism for using the term “spazz,” which is frequently used to make fun of persons with cerebral palsy. Like Lizzo, Beyoncé also swiftly expressed regret for using the term and said she had no idea it had a derogatory connotation at the time, which led her to change the song’s lyrics.
A lyric modification request from Monica Lewinsky
The controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s lyrics prompted Monica Lewinsky to make an unexpected cameo. When Beyoncé brought up her sexual encounter with then-President Bill Clinton, the former White House intern suggested that she amend her statement. The controversial line is not found on Renaissance, but rather in the 2013 song “Partition” by Beyoncé. Despite the fact that Lewinsky has gained popularity for her social media postings, Beyoncé fans largely criticized this one.
