Kelis attends Bumble's Domino Effect Valentine's Day Party at Village Underground on February 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Bumble UK)
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Kelis Blasts Pharrell and Beyoncé Over Unapproved Sampling

Kelis Blasts Pharrell and Beyoncé Over Unapproved Sampling

Published Fri, July 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM EDT

Kelis has made it clear that she is not happy with a sample of her 2002 track "Milkshake"* on Beyoncé's new album Renaissance. The singer/songwriter posted an Instagram video, calling out Bey and the song's producer, Pharrell. Kelis worked with Pharrell and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes extensively in their early careers together, and has been vocal about the fact that she feels the producers have not given her proper compensation or credit for her work.

"I just heard the record everyone is saying has my sample," she captioned. "But it’s beyond this song at this point. This was a TRIGGER for me. 'Milkshake' alone is one of the most licensed records of our generation. I am a creator, I’m an innovator, I have done more then left my mark on an era of music and style that will go down in history. But there are bully’s and secrets and gangsters in this industry that smile and get away with it until someone says enough is enough. So I’m saying it today. I’m coming for what’s mine and I want reparations. Peace."

Pharrell Williams walks on the grid before the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome May 8, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

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*this article previously erroneously cited the sample as the 1999 track "Alone With You." The piece has been corrected.

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