What Did Kaytranada Say About Beyoncé?

Kaytranada
Getty Image

Beyoncé’s fanbase is notorious for their intensity but also for their sensitivity. If they even think Cowboy Carter has been insulted, they’ll lash out without hesitation.

Which might be why Timeless producer Kaytranda did some preemptive damage control before his recent comments about Drake and Beyoncé could be taken out of context. So, what did Kaytranada say about Beyoncé that had the Beyhive so riled up?

In a recent interview with Vulture, the producer recounted his experience nearly producing for Drake. Elsewhere in the interview, Kaytranda also revealed why a similar opportunity to produce for Beyoncé never panned out.

After crafting a remix of Beyoncé’s Renaissance song “Cuff It,” Kaytra said he withheld the remix from streaming after being lowballed on a payment offer by Beyoncé’s team, which he called, “less money than what much smaller artists have paid.” He also noted that Bey would have retained “all the rights to the song.” “Sometimes, people don’t see your worth and how important you are. I know what I mean to people.”

Some Beyoncé fans felt this was disparaging to the original artist, and were quick to let Kaytranada know, prompting him to write a post on Twitter clarifying his statement. “Mannnn I didn’t drag her that’s just what happened,” he wrote, in the since-deleted post. “The remix didn’t get a release and it is what it is but later that year I opened [for] her on tour AND on her Bday on top of that. Now what? I love that girl & y’all ain’t gonna make me look like I ain’t rocking with her.”

Kaytranada Nearly Produced For Drake’s ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ Album, But According To Him A Short Chat Ended Things

Kaytranada All Points East 2024 (1024x437)
Getty Image

Kaytranada is one of the most highly sought out artists in electronic music. The Grammy Award history marker has worked with acts such as Beyoncé, Tinashe, HER, Victoria Monét, and to name a few. But the “Lover/Friend” musician’s resume could’ve included Drake.

During an interview with Vulture, Kaytranada revealed that he was seemingly approached to work on Drake’s album, Honestly, Nevermind.

While attending a Coachella after-party, Kaytranada said he was fielded to see if he would open to produce on the body of work or “make beats.” At the moment, he replied to Drake’s supposed representative saying it would be “an honor.” However, that didn’t go over well with Drake.

After time had passed, Kaytranada alleged that word got back to him to that his “Sure, hit me up” response wasn’t warm enough. “Was I supposed to be like, ‘Oh my God, for real? Drake?’ I’m not like that,” he said.

The 2022 project, which featured singles “Sticky,” “Massive,” and “Jimmy Cooks,” was Drake’s head dive into dance music. Alight the album went to debut atop the charts, a collaboration from Kaytranada could’ve helped it remain in the top spot for much longer.

Drake wasn’t the only superstar to fumble a collaboration with Kaytranada. Later in the conversation, he confessed why his beloved remix of Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” track isn’t available to streaming platforms. Ultimately, Kaytranada nixed the upload due to financial reasons.

“Sometimes people don’t see your worth and how important you are,” he said. “I know what I mean to people.” His response was after he claimed Beyoncé’s team offered to pay him next to nothing or “less money than what much smaller artists have paid” while “retaining all the rights to the song.”

It appears Kaytranada has no problem walking away from what doesn’t serve him.

Even DNC Staff Thought Beyoncé Was Showing Up, Even Though She Was Never Considered

beyonce
Getty Image

Last week’s Democratic National Convention was a star-studded event, with special appearances from everyone from The Chicks to Lil Jon. However, one star that folks expected to see who didn’t show up was Beyoncé. Rumors about a performance from Cowboy Carter were so persistent that some delegates were even spotted wearing sashes like the one from Beyoncé’s album cover. While it was later revealed that Beyoncé was never even considered as a performer for the DNC, earlier this week, the convention’s producers revealed that even staffers thought they might end up being part of the Renaissance.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss, the convention’s producers, told The Hollywood Reporter, “We never put out anything about Beyoncé. We denied it every time the media asked us — even though, by the way, people on my staff didn’t believe me. I kept getting texts from news organizations saying, ‘When is Beyoncé coming out?’ But come on, we have the biggest star, the Democratic nominee for president. Why would we overshadow that?”

Weiss echoed Kirshner’s sentiment above, saying, “This is the internet taking on a life of its own and people taking something as fact — literally, to the point that people in my booth are saying, ‘Is she coming? You can tell me.’ And I would say, ‘I have no knowledge she’s coming.’ And they would say, ‘No knowledge? So there’s something to know!’ It was pretty crazy. But she wasn’t coming. In the end, even TMZ [which first reported it] had to issue an apology.”

DNC Producer Sets The Record Straight On Beyonce’s Rumored Appearance

The Democratic National Convention was a star-studded event. Lil Jon showed up to perform. Kenan Thompson did a comedic bit onstage. There was even sightings of Oscar-winning director Spike Lee in the crowd. The one celebrity everybody wanted to see, though, was Beyonce. The internet reached a fever pitch during the multi-day event, determining that Queen Bey would give a surprise performance and endorse Presidential nominee Kamala Harris. This, of course, didn’t happen. Beyonce did not show up, and fans were disappointed. The producers for the event, however, are not accepting the blame.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss, the executive producer and director of the DNC, broke their silence on the Beyonce rumors August 27. They made it very clear from the onset that Beyonce was never involved with the event. Furthermore, Kirschner told The Hollywood Reporter that he denied the rumors at every opportunity, so that fans wouldn’t be upset. “We never put out anything about Beyonce,” he asserted. “We denied it every time the media asked us. Even though people on my staff didn’t believe me. I kept getting texts from news organizations…”

Read More: Plies Questions Black Men Who Don’t Support Kamala Harris

Beyonce’s Mother Has Publicly Endorsed Kamala Harris

The executive producer never intended to recruit Beyonce, because he felt her presence would have overshadowed the star of the DNC: Kamala Harris. “We have the biggest star, the Democratic nominee for president,” Kirshner noted. “Why would we overshadow that?” To be fair to the fans, Kamala Harris has aligned herself with Beyonce multiple times. The politician praised Beyonce’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, on social media. She walked out to the Beyonce song “Freedom” when it was first announced she would be running for President. And, Queen Bey’s mother, Tina Knowles, has openly endorsed Harris.

Glenn Weiss, the aforementioned director of the DNC, laid the rumor completely at the feet of people online. “This is the Internet taking on a life of its own and people taking something as fact,” he stated. “Literally to the point that people in my booth are saying: ‘Is she coming? You can tell me.’” Weiss also pointed out that TMZ picked up the rumor, and later had to issue an apology. “It was pretty crazy,” he concluded. “But she wasn’t coming.”

Read More: Kamala Harris Unleashes Beyonce-Assisted Presidential Campaign Ad

[via]

The post DNC Producer Sets The Record Straight On Beyonce’s Rumored Appearance appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Beyoncé Didn’t Perform At The DNC, And Now Fans Wonder If It Was All A Ruse To Get Them To Watch Kamala Harris’ Speech

beyonce
Getty Image

Ever since the Kamala Harris Presidential campaign started using Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Freedom” in its ads and rallies, rumors that Beyoncé herself would perform at the Democratic National Convention didn’t so much “swirl online” as “auditioned for the sequel to a certain weather-based blockbuster from earlier this summer.”

Alas, said rumors turned out to be bunk. According to a spokesperson for Cowboy Carter, “Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there. The report of a performance is untrue.” Naturally, fans are being very chill about this online… if by “chill,” you mean questioning whether the rumor was a bait-and-switch to get them to watch Harris’ speech as she accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for Presidential candidate. There were also some who posited that the rumor was planted by everyone from Pink, who showed up ahead of Harris’ speech, to the Democratic Party itself.

https://twitter.com/OrangePaulp/status/1826808838240059545

Of course, TMZ is certainly to blame for some of this, and that organization also offered a mea culpa on Twitter. But it wasn’t all bad; many of those who did tune in were very complimentary of Harris’ speech, and some have already set their sights on another potential date for a Beyoncé appearance: at Kamala’s potential inauguration day in 2025 should she manage to beat Donald Trump at the polls in November.

Also the Las Vegas Aces’ funniest player, Sydney Colson, said this, so it maybe it was all worth it.

Beyoncé Will Reportedly Perform At The Democratic National Convention’s Final Night

beyonce
Getty Image

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is turning out to be quite historic, as Kamala Harris has officially been named the first-ever woman of either Black or Asian heritage to be nominated the official Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. What’s more, this year’s DNC has had guests reflective of the optimism inspired by her nomination, with Lil Jon putting in an appearance, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” receiving play, and reportedly, even Beyoncé preparing to put in a performance. After bringing on Megan Thee Stallion, Charli XCX, and using Beyoncé’s “Freedom” in a campaign ad, Harris’ play for the Presidency is getting a co-sign from the Queen of the Renaissance herself, according to TMZ.

Per TMZ’s sources, Beyoncé is in Chicago, where the convention is being held, and law enforcement has been placed on “high alert” as Chicago Police Department has been assigned to security for the DNC. Some delegates in attendance are even dressed up in Cowboy Carter-styled attire, just in case Bey shows up — and it’s fair to think that they might have some insider information on that count. As for what song she’ll perform, if any… The smart money is obviously on “Freedom,” which has soundtracked the Harris campaign to date. Stay tuned.

Beyonce’s New Whiskey Has Already Won Awards Before Its Release

Beyonce is the rare artist who seemingly moves from one success to another. She dominated the 2000s, then switched up her style in the 2010s. More acclaim. Not enough? How many genre experiments in the 2020s that have been met with even more acclaim? Beyonce knows what she’s doing, and her winning streak will seemingly continue with her new whiskey brand. The brand is called SirDavis, and will mark Beyonce’s first venture into the world of liquor. Incredibly, SirDavis is already an award-winning brand.

It’s reasonable to ask how. The common line of thinking is that a whiskey has to be available before it can be entered into competitions, much less win. Beyonce’s team apparently pulled a fast one. In an effort to avoid bias for or against the pop star, her team submitted SirDavis under a pseudonym. SirDavis went to 2023 whiskey contest under the pseudonym “Davis Hogue Distilling Company” and managed to take home multiple awards. It won the Gold Medal at the NY Intl Spirits Competition, Best of Class at the SIP Awards and a prestigious “Highly Recommended” rating at at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Read More: Tina Knowles Hilariously Realizes What Beyonce’s Song “Ego” Is Actually About

Beyonce Named The Brand After Her Great Grandfather

SirDavis may have been sprung on the public, but it’s something Beyonce has been working on for years. At least, that’s what she said in a press release. “I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whiskey,” she wrote. “And [I] wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling.” Beyonce partnered with Moët Hennessy to bring SirDavis to life, which is named after her great grandfather, Davis Hogue. “We have crafted a delicious American whiskey that respects tradition,” the pop star added. “But also empowers people to experience something new and unique in the category.”

Beyonce is famous for her strict regimen, which includes drinking a gallon of water a day. She did claim that she was not very much fun to be around when she drank alcohol, though. “Well, I don’t drink often,” she told Chinamail in 2009. “But when I am drunk, I am very quiet and I observe and I go to sleep. I don’t think I am much fun.” Despite her own habits, it’s ultimately fitting that the singer behind “Drink In Love” has a liquor brand of her.

Read More: Jay-Z & Beyonce Go For A Night Out In New York City After 40/40 Club Recreation

[via]

The post Beyonce’s New Whiskey Has Already Won Awards Before Its Release appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Beyoncé Is Launching SirDavis, A New Whisky Brand, And Here’s How To Get It

beyonce
Getty Image

Beyoncé is currently approaching billionaire status, and her new business move might help push her closer to that milestone: She’s launching SirDavis, a new whisky brand.

The information was shared on Beyoncé’s press website yesterday (August 19), with a description that reads:

“Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has joined forces with Moët Hennessy, a subsidiary of LVMH, to create SirDavis, a groundbreaking new whisky. The first-of-its-kind joint venture reflects a shared vision between Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy, two vanguards of culture and craft, around the future of American whisky.

This unique product was years in the making after Knowles-Carter, a Japanese whisky enthusiast, sought out Moët Hennessy to help craft a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that reflected her whisky ideal. Meanwhile, Moët Hennessy had been exploring ways to deepen its presence in the American whisky market, making the timing kismet for a partnership between the world-leading luxury group and Knowles-Carter.”

It also notes that the whisky sells for $89 and can be pre-ordered via SirDavis.com. It’s set to become available at retail in the US — as well as select airports and stores in London, Paris, and Tokyo, in September.

The SirDavis website offers specific details about the whisky, including tasting notes that describe color, aroma, taste, and finish. The site also explains the origin of the brand’s name, saying:

“[Beyoncé] came to uncover that her paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, had been a successful moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition and would stash his bottles in the empty knots of cedar trees on his farm for friends and kin to find and enjoy. She quickly understood why her own love for whisky ran so deep. Her affinity for whisky was fated and SirDavis was born. Four generations from when Davis Hogue made whisky on his land, his legacy is honored.”

Beyoncé herself also says, “I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whisky and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling.”

Tina Knowles Might’ve Been The Last Person To Discover The NSFW Meaning Of Beyoncé’s ‘Ego,’ But Her Reaction Was Hilarious

beyonce
Getty Image

With sexually explicit music seemingly at an all-time high, listeners are growing more appreciative of lyrical subtleties. From breakout tracks such as Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” to Sexyy Red’s “Pound Town,” many rap acts aren’t leaving anything up to the imagination.

But over on the R&B front, Beyoncé has made a rather extensive collection of track’s riddled with innuendo. So much so that the leader of the Beyhive, Tina Knowles (more affectionately referred to as Momma Tina) just discovered the true meaning behind her daughter’s 2009 single, “Ego.”

Over on Instagram, Knowles reposted a clip from the Can I Vibe With Y’all podcast (view here), where hosts Cazo Wilborn and Chris Mathis sing along to NSWF lyrics, which many believe to be about…penis (more specifically’s her husband Jay-Z’s package).

“Wow, I just realized that she wasn’t talking about that ego,” she wrote. “Ohhhhhh Myyyyy!!!!!!! 😂😂😂 I’m serious, I really didn’t Know til now!!!!! That’s crazy! Nooo! Really? Maybe not ! I don’t know! What y’all think?”

When Bey sings, “It’s too big / It’s too wide / It’s too strong / It won’t fit / It’s too much / It’s too tough / He talk like this ’cause he can back it up,” let’s just say the double entendre has aided in the expansion of the Carter family.

If Miss Tina is just learning about “Ego,” wait until she truly listens Beyoncé’s records “Levii’s Jeans,” “Blow,” “II Hands II Heaven,” and “Rocket.” Momma dearest might just clutch her pearls.

Tina Knowles Hilariously Realizes What Beyonce’s Song “Ego” Is Actually About

Tina Knowles has spent so much time with Beyonce’s catalog that one would probably expect her to know it as well as the back of her hand. But it turns out that there are still surprises in Queen Bey’s catalog that her mother is catching onto all these years later. Moreover, the recently divorced Knowles left an Instagram comment under a video of a podcast group listening to her daughter’s track “Ego,” which has lyrics such as “It’s too big, it’s too wide, it won’t fit.” As such, it seems like she never caught on to the song’s sexual innuendo, and expressed genuine shock and surprise at realizing the hidden meaning years after its release.

“Wow, !!!!!!!!” Tina Knowles’ message about Beyoncé’s cut “Ego” began. “I just realized that she wasn’t talking about that ego!!!!!!!! Ohhhhhh Myyyyyy!!!!!!! [three crying-laughing emojis]. I’m serious I really didn’t Know til now!!!!!! That’s crazy! Nooo! Really? Maybe not ! I don’t know! What y’all think?” At least Knowles has other Bey songs to latch onto, such as when the Kamala Harris campaign used “Freedom” after Tina endorsed her for president of the United States.

Read More: Jay-Z & Beyoncé Go For A Night Out In New York City After 40/40 Club Recreation

Tina Knowles Admits That She Just Found Out What Beyoncé’s “Ego” Is Really About

As far as other retrospective perspectives from Tina Knowles about Beyoncé’s life and career, she recently expanded on how her daughter handled bullying in her childhood. She told Vogue that the Houston superstar actually didn’t defend herself at first, but started doing so after she stuck up for another person whom childhood bullies attacked. Of course, this idea sounds bizarre today: why in the world would Sasha Fierce have bullies? But we all have to start somewhere, and these old tales remind us of where and what we came from on our path to where we are now.

Also, Tina Knowles divulged on what advice Beyoncé gave her daughter Blue Ivy when it comes to dealing with haters, not bullies. “One of her friends came back and showed her some negative comments and it was a great life lesson,” she told Vogue‘s The Run Through podcast. “Because her mom basically said, ‘Listen, if you let this get you down, then they won. So you should go and work harder. And, you know, just work harder and get your skills together and go out there and blast it.’ So it actually worked in Blue’s favor because she was only supposed to do it one time. But now her mom was, that mama bear was on to it. It was like, she was like, ‘You go out there and kill it,’ and she did. She just grew so much from that experience.”

Read More: Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Dismissed

The post Tina Knowles Hilariously Realizes What Beyonce’s Song “Ego” Is Actually About appeared first on HotNewHipHop.