In an Instagram thread discussing the sample of a Kelis single, which is listed on leaked credits for the Renaissance track “Energy,” Kelis wrote plainly, “it’s not a collab, it’s theft.”
The discussion took place in a thread on an Instagram fan account called @kelistrends. In the comments section to a post about the sample on “Energy,” Kelis wrote multiple replies using her Instagram cooking account, @bountyandfull. The singer said she learned about the sample “the same way everyone else did,” which presumably means she saw song credits that were shared online following Renaissance leaking after the album was reportedly released by accident two days early in Europe.
“My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding,” Kelis also wrote. “Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled.”
The Instagram thread about “Energy” that Kelis weighed in on can be seen below.
Kelis’ comments led to a debate among music fans on social media platforms. Many commenters on Twitter noted that Kelis is not credited as a songwriter or producer on the sampled track, instead those honors go to The Neptunes, the hit-making duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. (Credits posted on Apple Music for Renaissance last week listed the names of Williams and Hugo on “Energy,” while some leaked credits has Kelis named as a collaborator on the track.)
“Kelis didnt write nor produce the song, she doesn’t own her masters so like legit her feelings are 0 in this and her saying it’s theft is also a baseless accusation,” one tweet read. “Don’t be mad at Beyoncé for literally playing by the rules because if she didn’t y’all be singing a different tune.”
“I feel like Kelis’ anger is misdirected, Beyoncé still credited her on the album so she will receive royalties but legally Kelis doesn’t own her masters, so the sample doesn’t get cleared through her,” another person wrote.
A lot of other people sided with Kelis, though, who told The Guardian in a 2020 interview that she was not fairly credited for her writing on albums that included work by The Neptunes.
“Nothing Kelis said was wrong, she stated how she feels about it. Beyoncé stans will always make an excuse so don’t bother trying to reason with them. Logic and having a heart is lost with them when Beyoncé is involved,” said a person on Twitter in defense of Kelis.
