By Rivea Ruff ·Updated July 29, 2022
The time has finally come! Six years since her last solo studio album, Beyoncé has returned, surprising and delighting fans with her celebratory explosion of dance and catharsis, RENAISSANCE.
“My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking,” Beyoncé shared with her fans about the intention and inspiration behind her new sound. “A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
That journey led Beyoncé to honor and pay homage to a variety of pioneers in dance, funk, soul, house, and disco music, weaving together influences from the past to create a sound that is current, timely, and speaks to our desires to break free from the
“Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long,” Beyoncé wrote. “This is a celebration for you.”
Take a look at the work of the pioneers who inspired Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE below:
Track 1: I’M THAT GIRL
Tommy Wright III & Princess Loko – “Street Sh*t”
The South Memphis trap pioneer was a giant in the south throughout the 1990’s.
Track 2: ALIEN SUPERSTAR
The Foremost Poets, “Moonraker”
The DJ, who now goes by the name jOHNNYDANGEROUS, is a fixture in the New Jersey club scene and uses Funk, House, Electronic and Spoken Word to craft a unique sound.
Right Said Fred, “I’m Too Sexy”
Right Said Fred is collecting ALL their coins these days, as after being samples in Drake and Future’s “Way 2 Sexy” last year, they’re coming back with a cosign from Queen Bey herself. Their hit “I’m Too Sexy” was inescapable throughout much of the early and mid-90’s.
Mood II Swing, “Do It Your Way” / Barbara Ann Teer’s “Black Theater Speech”
In their 1996 hit, the NY-based House DJ Duo used the same sample of a speech about Black Theater given by writer, producer, actress and founder of Harlem’s National Black Theater Barbara Ann Teer that Bey highlights here.
Track 3: COZY
Lidell Townsell & M.T.F: “Get With U”
A Chicago House Music legend, Townsell’s innovation and impact has rippled across music off the strength of only one album he released in 1992, Harmony.
TS Madison, “B*tch I’m Black”
Trans personality and host T.S. Madison is no stranger to internet virality. Beyoncé highlighted one of her hilariously honest rants about the pride she has in her Black skin, hair, and phenotypical features.
The post The Samples That Shaped Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE appeared first on Essence.
