Singer Kelis Rogers-Mora, known as Kelis, said she was not made aware that her music would be featured on Beyoncé's new album, Renaissance.
"I am surprised because the level of disrespect and complete ignorance of all three parties involved is astounding. I heard the song the same way everyone else did. Nothing is ever what it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and have scammed everyone,” she wrote in the comments on Instagram.
In a later comment, Kelis added, "it's not a collaboration, it's theft." She claims that Beyoncé used a sample of her song "Milkshake" in the song "Energy".
In music, sampling refers to the reuse of a sound recording in another recording. The release of the credits of the song "Energy" revealed that it is not a sample, but an interpolation , which refers to the use of a melody - or parts of a melody - from a previously recorded song, re-recording it instead of using it as sample.
"Milkshake" is officially a Kelis song, but she is not listed as its producer, composer or lyricist. The song was produced by Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams, Rob Walker and Neptunes. In addition, Hugo and Williams are the composers and lyricists of "Milkshake". Kelis is credited in the credits of Beyoncé's song as the performer of the song.