Unleashing the Power: Beyoncé Stuns Critics with Bold “ALIEN SUPERSTAR” Sample

Beyoncé’s latest song “ALIEN SUPERSTAR” has stirred up some controversy as it samples ’90s pop band Right Said Fred’s hit single, “I’m Too Sexy.” The English duo, comprised of brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass, have spoken out about their issue with Beyoncé and her failure to go through them to clear the sample.

During the 2022 Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Awards, the Fairbrass brothers expressed their frustration, calling Beyoncé “arrogant” for not approaching them directly. They even compared her to other artists like Drake and Taylor Swift who did reach out to them for clearance when using their music.

Drake, for example, sampled Right Said Fred’s record last year on “Way 2 Sexy” from his album “Certified Lover Boy.” The brothers explained that typically, when an artist wants to use their melody, they need their permission. They receive the demo, approve it, and if so, they get a co-write credit. However, in Beyoncé’s case, there are 22 writers credited on the song, making the process more complicated and convoluted.

This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has faced backlash for not properly obtaining permission to use a song. Robin S., the singer behind “Show Me Love,” spoke out after discovering that her song was sampled in Beyoncé’s lead single, “BREAK MY SOUL,” without her explicit consent. Kelis also expressed her outrage over Beyoncé’s usage of her classic record, “Milkshake,” which was eventually removed from the final production of RENAISSANCE.

Despite the uproar, it seems Right Said Fred has no intentions of pursuing legal action against Beyoncé. The Fairbrass brothers acknowledged that engaging in a legal battle with someone of Beyoncé’s caliber would not end well for them and decided it was best to let the issue go. They emphasized the importance of looking forward rather than dwelling on past grievances.

It’s clear that the issue of sample clearance in the music industry remains a contentious topic, particularly when artists as iconic as Beyoncé are involved. Watch an archival performance of Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” below to reminisce on one of their classic hits.