Beyoncé Fights Back, Disputing Right Said Fred’s Complaints

metroweekly.com:

the most recent bit of controversy she’s found herself embroiled in. And she’s not holding back.Earlier this week, musical duo Right Said Fred spoke to British tabloid The Sun about their inclusion in Beyoncé’s new album Renaissance.The brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass (and their former bandmate Rob Manzoli) are all credited as songwriters on Bey’s song “Alien Superstar,” as the tune interpolates a part of their smash single “I’m Too Sexy.” That cut took over the world in 1991, and it remains the band’s biggest hit by far.In the interview, the brothers expressed how unhappy they were with their credits and the fact that something of theirs had been used on Renaissance saying, “She is such an arrogant person… She just had probably thought ‘come and get me’ so we heard about it after the fact…”Just days after the article went live, Beyoncé has not only spoken on the issue, but called Right Said Fred out.In a statement shared with Billboard, the Grammy winner claims that their version of what happened is not true, and she comes with specific details that counter their comments as well.“Permission was not only granted for its use, but they publicly spoke of their gratitude for being on the album,” she insisted via the statement. “For their song, there was no sound recording used, 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.”Beyoncé also reminded everyone reading that yes, both Fairbrass brothers and Manzoli are properly credited, as are all other writers of tracks sampled on Renaissance.