Which songs are your faves? Check out this playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/big-band-r-b-key-songs/pl.u-WabZ5rRCdBG4RdXhttps://music.apple.com/us/playlist/big-band-r-b-key-songs/pl.u-WabZ5rRCdBG4RdX
For about 5 years I’ve been hearing that Beyoncé “stole” Amerie’s big band sound released in 2005. What’s so interesting is, they didn’t even want Amerie to have it, “1 Thing” was going to be J Lo’s song. I can see how Beyoncé took influence from Amerie, but only in their music videos.
For example, the “1 Thing” MV from 2005
Versus, Beyoncé’s “Green Light” from 2006.
It’s very similar. The background, the band concept .. only one is all women vs. all men. Surprisingly, I actually prefer Amerie’s video.
1 thing is everything that B’Day is … LOUD vocals, lots of instruments, etc. But to say Beyoncé “stole” Amerie’s sound would mean that Amerie was producing her own music. She wasn’t. Her music was crafted for her by Rich Harrison, who also produced music for Beyoncé in 2003 with her solo debut, Crazy in Love. That song is before 1 Thing.
Rich Harrison had his hand in B'Day, and producers are well known for their specific sound. So of course Rich Harrison produced "Suga Mama," that’s his sound.
So, I don’t believe Beyoncé “stole” the sound from Amerie in 2005, Beyoncé worked with the same producer is all that is. Producers often have the same sound and aren’t prohibited from making beats for many artists at once. I do think Beyoncé took some inspiration from music videos for sure, the same can be said about her Lady Gaga inspiration from "I Am Sasha Fierce." The sound of B’Day is loud, but it's authentic to her as an artist, it still feels like Beyoncé.
Now, lets talk about who may have truly been influenced.
Alicia Keys' third album is released in 2007, and is very clearly inspired by the band sound. But Alicia Keys is never going to do things the way everyone else is. She takes the Amerie sound, the B'Day sound and produced it in her own way.
The theme is very similar to the old school sound of Songs In a Minor. She does the same with, As I Am she takes the Big Band sound and somehow makes it authentic to her, with a very vintage vibe. Think about how loud of a song "No One" is, or how old school "Teenage Love Affair" is. Then the authenticity comes in with the songs with Jack White and John Mayer. It was very experimental for her third album. But if we're accusing someone of taking influence, Mrs. Keys. She did it so well that I never hear the comparison, when you realize how No One, Wreckless Love, I Need You and more are all Big Band tracks.
Beyoncé is constantly being accused of "stealing" a style that wasn't really anyone's to begin with. For years I saw the accusations of stealing Aaliyah's style. As far as solo Beyoncé .. I've never seen Aaliyah's influence. I truly believe that's what messed up Ashanti and Amerie's career, amongst other things .. Aaliyah comparisons.
Let’s acknowledge Beyoncè as an amazing artist. That’s all it is. And acknowledge Alicia Keys for being the one who was truly influenced by their sound. I didn’t listen to No One for a while cause she’s so loud on that track.
Listen to the playlist and let me know who’s sound you enjoyed most! 🪄
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