Beyoncé Taps Beam For "Energy"

BY Erika Marie 7.6K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
BeyoncéBeyoncé
This "Renaissance" standout samples two tracks from Big Freedia and Kelis.

This track has been at the center of drama all day (July 28) after Kelis had a bit to say about Beyoncé sampling her song. Prior to the release of Bey's Renaissance, the singer shared a list of credits of artists who would be sampled on the anticipated album. On the Beam-sampled "Energy," Beyoncé and her team sampled Kelis's "Milkshake," a track that was originally produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, professionally known as The Neptunes. Kelis worked closely with the pair back in the day, and she took to social media to not only call them out but to blast Beyoncé for not reaching out to her.

"My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding," said Kelis. "I heard about this the same way everyone else did. Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled."

The controversy has carried on as people from across the globe have weighed in, causing the Renaissance hype to intensify. "Energy" also samples Big Freedia's "Explode" and was produced by Skrillex, Al Cres, Beam, and Beyoncé. Stream the track and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Only double lines we cross is dollar signs, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hold up, wait
I hear you just got paid, make it rain, energy
She more Cancún, he more Saint Tropez
Been waving a room, the crowd gon' move
Look around, everybody on mute
Look around, it's me and my crew


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.