Diane Warren, a songwriter known for writing songs later sung by Celine Dion and Cher, caught herself in some hot water by Beyoncé fans when she seemed to shade her latest album “Renaissance” and more specifically her song “Alien Superstar.” In a Tweet, she says “How can there be 24 writers on a song?” accompanied with a rolling eyes emoji. She says this is not meant to be shade but is “curious” and “That’s 23 more than are on mine.”
How can there be 24 writers on a song?????
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) August 1, 2022
Beyoncé fans, known as the Beyhive, are very passionate about the artist; needless to say, this did not sit well. Many believed this to be referencing Beyoncé’s song “Alien Superstar” which was released along with the album this past Friday. So, many began to respond reasonably and explain the reasoning, while others noted that Beyoncé has a huge fanbase and is known as one of the biggest stars in the world in an effort to defend her.
This is kind of a boring ass narrative at this point and it's sad to see artists attempt to devalue one another. Even if she had 50 writers on one song, does that make her any less of an artist? Celine Dion never wrote a song in her life, do we constantly discredit her?
— Cllr Kurtis Dickson (@kurtis_dickson) August 1, 2022
Many also said it was simply because the song sampled other songs in the recording, meaning you have to credit all of the songwriters. The conversation continued to get heated online, although she does state she did not intend her statements to be “an attack or as disrespect.” But, after one Twitter user noted Black culture has “so many writers, well it started because we couldn’t afford certain things starting out, so we started sampling and it became an Artform, a major part of the Black Culture (hip hop) in America. Had that era not happened who knows,” she responded saying ” No need to be mean about it.”
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.
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) August 1, 2022
She began trending on Twitter as more people reacted, noting that although Warren later stated it was due to sampling, she was probably throwing shade and was well aware of the method of sampling as she was involved in the music industry. “She knows. She trying to be shady. Beyoncé’s experiencing any success or positive news brings out the insecure and bitter,” one person noted.
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