Diane Warren Responds To Backlash From Beyoncé Fans Over Songwriting Credits On Singer’s New Album
Earlier this morning, Hollywood hitmaker Diane Warren asked what seemed a simple question on Twitter: “How can there be 24 writers on one song?”
But nothing on Twitter is ever simple.
More from Deadline
Beyonce Voiced Disapproval Of Thin Look On 'Austin Powers In Goldmember' Poster Back In 2002
Governors Awards: Michael J. Fox, Diane Warren, Peter Weir & Euzhan Palcy Set For Academy Honors
How can there be 24 writers on a song?🙄
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) August 1, 2022
Shortly after Warren’s tweet appeared, Beyoncé fans began replying en masse. It seems the song “Alien Superstar” on her just-released album Renaissance has exactly 24 writers. Warren did not mention the tune or the superstar singer by name, but the Beyhive still took umbrage.
According to Billboard the writers credited on “Alien Superstar” are:
Beyoncé herself
Jay-Z (billed at S. Carter)
Honey Redmond
Christopher Lawrence Penny
Luke Francis Matthew Solomon
Denisia “@Blue_June” Andrews for @Novawav
Brittany “Chi_Coney” Coney for @Novawav
David Debrandon Brown
Dave Hamelin
Timothy Lee McKenzie
Danielle Balbuena
Rami Yacoub
Leven Kali
Atia Boggs P/K/A Ink
Levar Coppin
Saliou Diagne
Mike Dean
Robert Francis Anthony Manzoli
Richard Peter John Fairbrass
Christopher Abbott Bernard Fairbrass
John Michael Holiday
Barbara Ann Teer
Kim Cooper
Peter Rauhofer
After Beyoncé fans churned up a tweetstorm, Warren tried to clarify with, “This isn’t meant as shade, I’m just curious,” and then “Ok, it’s prob samples that add up the ammount [sic.] of writerrs [sic.]” But the Beyhive wasn’t having any of it.
Finally, this afternoon, Warren wrote, “I didn’t mean that as an attack or as disrespect. I didn’t know this, thank U for making me aware of it. No need to be mean about it.”
Beyonce sparked her own controversy recently and had to make her own amends of sorts.
The song “Heated” from Renaissance, which Beyoncé co-wrote with Drake and seven others contains the line, “Spazzin’ on that a**, spazz on that a**.” The word “spaz” is a derogatory reference to spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy which makes it difficult for people to control their muscles.
It was later reported by Deadline’s sister publication, Variety, that Beyoncé’s camp said in a statement, “The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”
Best of Deadline
2022-23 Awards Season Calendar - Dates For The Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Guilds, Festivals & More
NFL 2022 Schedule: Primetime TV Games, Thanksgiving Menu, Christmas Tripleheader & More
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.