Oscar-nominated songwriting legend Diane Warren has made an enemy of legions of Beyoncé fans after asking why one of the singer’s new songs from her ‘Renaissance’ album has more than 20 credited authors . Warren didn’t mention Beyoncé in her initial tweets but wrote, “How can there be 24 writers on a song?…It’s not a shadow, I’m just curious.”
Beyoncé fans assumed Warren called “Alien Superstar,” the third track on “Renaissance” which has over 20 credited songwriters. As Warren later pointed out, one of the reasons the song has so many credited writers is because of the samples and interpolations it features.
The Dream, who has worked with Beyoncé in the past and collaborated with her again on “Renaissance,” called Warren for his comment. “You mean how does our (black) culture have so many writers?” he has answered. “Well, it started because we couldn’t afford certain things initially, so we started sampling and it became an art form, a big part of black (hip hop) culture in America. . If that time hadn’t happened, who knows. How are you ?”
“I didn’t mean that as an attack or disrespect,” Warren commented. “I didn’t know that, thanks for letting me know. No need to be mean with that.
Warren then issued an apology to Beyoncé, with whom she previously collaborated on the song “I Was Here” from the singer’s “4” album.
“Okay, I meant no disrespect to Beyoncé, who I’ve worked with and admire,” Warren tweeted. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Beyoncé has not publicly responded to any of Warren’s comments. Warren is a 13-time Oscar nominee in the original song category and will receive an honorary Oscar later this year.
Ok, I didn’t mean to disrespect @Beyonce, with whom I have worked and whom I admire. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) August 1, 2022
You mean how did our (black) culture have so many writers well it started because we couldn’t afford certain things initially so we started sampling and it became a form of art, an important part of black culture (hip hop) in America. If that time hadn’t arrived, who knows. You’re okay ?
— THE-DREAM MUSIC ICON (@TheKingDream) August 1, 2022
