Beyoncé is putting an end to Kelis’ controversy after she was accused of stealing a sample from the “Trick Me” singer.
The release of her highly anticipated seventh studio album, “Renaissance,” has been characterized by a lot of controversies, and Queen B was embroiled in a drama involving Kelis.
Beyonce Subtly Removed Kelis’ Sample
According to reports, Bey has addressed the accusations the best way she does, making a silent move to remove Kelis’ “Milkshake” sample from her song, “Energy.”
The interpolation can no longer be heard on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Tidal. Kelis’ name has also been wiped off the credits list associated with the platform.
Some fans claim the interpolation still remains on YouTube and listeners can still catch the subtle “la-la, la, la…la” line from “Milkshake.”
However, the interpolation is still recognized on Beyonce’s website as “Milkshake,” “Written by Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and performed by Kelis.”
Kelis hasn’t publicly commented on the new update and neither has Beyoncé.
Kelis Accused Beyoncé Of Sampling Her Music Without Permission
As The Blast previously reported, Kelis called out Beyoncé on social media before the release of “Renaissance” following the unveiling of the tracklist and the credited collaborators.
For track #8 titled “Energy,” Keli’s 2003 song, “Milkshake,” was seemingly sampled, and the Harlem native claimed she wasn’t given any heads up.
Kelis reportedly only got to know about it after a fan account congratulated her for being credited on Beyonce’s album, causing her to go off on the “Single Ladies” songstress.
In response to the fan account, Kelis wrote, “My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding. I heard about this the same way everyone else did.”
She continued, “Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled.”
In a separate response to a fan who called the song “the collab the world really needs,” Kelis clapped back, writing, “It’s not a collab it’s theft.”
The “Caught Out There” songstress went as far as dedicating an Instagram video to the controversy, detailing her issue with Beyoncé and Pharell, who she claims swindled her of rights over the song.
“Not only are we black female artists in an industry where there’s not that many of us, we’ve met each other, we know each other, we have mutual friends. It’s not that hard to contact [me]. It’s just common decency … even if you’re gonna do it anyway,” Kelis said about Beyoncé.
Following her outburst, several opinions sprung up about the topic, with many arguing if Beyoncé was supposed to reach out to Kelis, given that she didn’t have the masters didn’t belong to the 42-year-old.
According to Tidal, “Milkshake” is reportedly written by Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams, Rob Walker, and the Neptunes, with Hugo and Williams credited as composers and lyricists.
Fans React To The Removed Sample
I seriously love how Beyoncé didn’t even verbally respond to that drama. She just removed Kelis name and kept it pushing. No back and forth. Just deleted it. Don’t play with her. She is a true Queen. pic.twitter.com/Eif068yDgG
— TV Fanatic👑⚜️ (@TvKhaleesi) August 3, 2022
Following Beyoncé’s new move, fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts. One fan wrote, “I appreciate that Kelis spoke up for herself but I can’t help but laugh at Beyoncé literally refusing to ever argue with naan one of y’all lmfao She silently removed that sample and finished reading to the twins.”
Another comment read, “Kelis didn’t want Beyoncé interpolating her song and now Beyoncé has removed it as requested. So everyone should be happy now right? Or y’all gone shift the goal post and be mad at something else?”
This netizen added, “After Beyoncé removed Kelis’s beat from ENERGY you realize her contribution to the song was not even noticeable but she was still credited. This is why I love Beyoncé.”
NOT BEYONCÉ GETTING RID OF THE SAMPLE AND REMOVING KELIS’ NAME FROM THE CREDITS!!! pic.twitter.com/JGe58Qpje3
— Eva Styles (@MissEvaStyles) August 2, 2022
A Beyhive member noted, “I seriously love how Beyoncé didn’t even verbally respond to that drama. She just removed Kelis name and kept it pushing. No back and forth. Just deleted it. Don’t play with her. She is a true Queen.”