After asking “How can there be 24 writers on a song?” and using an eye-rolling emoji on Monday, the BeyHive (and much of the music Twitter community) flooded composer Diane Warren’s account. The post made reference to the credits on Alien Superstar, a Renaissance masterpiece by Beyoncé, which lists the same amount of writers.
Warren’s shade, whether intentional or not, resulted in a public education on Black music history, the art of collaboration, and why the notion of artistic brilliance being a strictly solo endeavor is an white, capitalistic, patriarchal idea. This is in addition to some pointed replies about her age and a red-carpet moment with Mariah Carey that clearly stung (no BeyHive pun intended).
My tweet was not offensive in any way. According to Warren, I adore Beyonc’s most recent album. I’ve worked with her and greatly admire her as an incredible, ground-breaking artist.
Every contributor who toiled on this record deserves to be honored, she continues.
The senior songwriter who contributed to Beyoncé’s I Was Here was initially criticized in the responses to Warren’s initial tweet for not understanding how sampling and crediting operate. In spite of her eye-roll emoji, Warren would reply that her tweet was not meant as shade and that she recognized that its prob samples that add up was the number of writers.
But as the comments to her post grew, so did the list of songwriters listed on Beyoncé’s song. Warren later tweeted: “I intended no disrespect to @Beyonce, who I’ve worked with and admire,” after getting into a fight with stan accounts. I apologize for the confusion.
Okay, I didn’t mean to be rude to @Beyonce, who I’ve worked with and respect. I apologize for the miscommunication.
(@Diane Warren) Diane Warren
You ask why there are so many writers in our (Black) culture. Well, it all started because we couldn’t buy certain things at first, so we started sampling, which later developed into an art form and a significant component of Black culture (hip hop) in America.
Who knows what would have happened if that era had not occurred. U good?
THE-DREAM (@TheKingDream) MUSIC ICON How can there be 24 writers on a song0
Twitter, however, didn’t like it. And some Black artists weren’t either, like Renaissance’s lead co-writer The-Dream, who took issue with what he perceived to be a direct shot at Beyoncé.
You’re asking how there are so many writers in our (Black) culture, The-Dream responded. We began sampling because we couldn’t initially afford certain items, and as a result, it developed into an art form and an important component of Black culture (hip hop) in America. Who knows if that period had not occurred. U good?
He then declared that she wouldn’t want that smoke if it came to it and challenged her to a writing competition. You are aware of my affection for you, but please, The-Dream urged. Quit acting that people haven’t sampled your records.
Warren acknowledged not being familiar with the background of sampling in Black music, saying, “How can there be 24 writers on a song1, I didn’t mean that as an attack or as disrespect.” I appreciate you alerting me to this because I was unaware of it. There’s no need to act cruelly.
Raquel Willis, an activist and former executive editor of Out Magazine, was inspired by the Twitter controversy to tweet a thread on the art of collaboration, a talent that many lack, according to Willis.
According to Willis, the belief that genius only occurs in solitude is white, capitalist, and patriarchal. When people believe their work has been stolen without giving them due credit, we see what happens.
When people believe their work has been stolen without giving them due credit, we see what happens. When we don’t disclose all the factors that go into what we produce, it may indicate that we aren’t as skilled as we believe we are.
Twitter user Raquel Willis How can there be 24 writers on a song2
She then made reference to the opposition Beyonc encountered from Kelis, who claimed the singer had tasted Milkshake without authorization. If we aren’t as open as we can be about all the factors that go into what we produce, perhaps we aren’t as skilled as we think, Willis wrote. Of course, correct credit must always be accompanied with appropriate payment.
In the meantime, journalist Monique Judge criticized on Twitter the strategy some users used to support Warren, pointing out her lack of Oscar victories despite receiving numerous nominations.
People are claiming that because she hasn’t received any accolades, her work isn’t very good. This is a falsehood, and it contradicts the justification you frequently offer for your preferred Black musicians who are likewise undeserving of recognition, How can there be 24 writers on a song3. You guys are #OnHere extremely mean a lot of the time. Was Diane being spicier or what? Probably. But did all of that make sense? Most likely not.
How can there be 24 writers on a song4, you guys can be pretty cruel at times.
Initially, bitch, AA15 (@thejournalista)
Renaissance is a really good album, regardless of Warren’s intentions or the remark on whether having more songwriters dilutes the value of what’s good.
Beyonc is more relatable than ever, proving that inclusion is the new black while offering listeners all the anthems and seductive slaps we’ve come to know and expect from her, according to Rolling Stone critic Will Dukes.
The following individuals are listed as the writers of Alien Superstar: Beyoncé, Honey Redmond, Christopher Lawrence Penny, and Luke Francis. Leven Kali, Atia Boggs P/k/a Ink, Levar Coppin, Saliou Diagne, Mike Dean, Robert Francis, Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney, S. Carter, David Debrandon Brown, Dave Hamelin, Danielle Balbuena, Rami Yacoub, Timothy Lee Mckenzie Manzoli, Anthony, and Peter Kim Cooper, Peter Rauhofer, Barbara Ann Teer, John Michael Holiday, Christopher Abbott Bernard Fairbrass, and John Fairbrass.
