Expensive Beyoncé, 'America Has a Drawback' deserved a remix function by a Black, queer artist as a substitute of Kendrick Lamar

• Beyoncé dropped an “America Has a Drawback” remix that includes Kendrick Lamar Friday.
• For my part, Lamar’s spot on the music was odd, given his polarizing music “Auntie Diaries.” 
• I hope Beyoncé faucets queer artists for “Renaissance” remix options sooner or later.

Beyoncé dropped a shock remix Friday for her standout “Renaissance” hit, “America Has a Drawback,” that includes rapper and frequent collaborator Kendrick Lamar.

As a member of the Beyhive, I am all the time excited when Queen Bey drops new music, but when I am being trustworthy, Lamar’s function was a letdown.

Beyoncé beforehand partnered with Lamar for her 2016 hit “Freedom,” and Lamar was featured on “Nile” for Beyoncé’s 2019 album, “The Lion King: The Reward.”

Sonically, the 2 mesh and Lamar switches between a high-pitched, fast-paced movement to a slower, melodic cadence on “America Has a Drawback.” 

Nonetheless, I query why Lamar was tapped to spit a verse on the remix.

Beyoncé has made it clear that “Renaissance” is an ode to the LGBTQ neighborhood, extra particularly, the Black queer neighborhood that invented home music. The “Alien Celebrity” singer has repeatedly mentioned the album is devoted to her late uncle Johnny, who was homosexual. 

“He was my godmother and the primary individual to reveal me to lots of the music and tradition that function inspiration for this album,” Beyoncé wrote in a letter to followers on her web site in July 2022, in accordance with Harper’s Bazaar. 

Whereas accepting one of the best dance/electrical recording Grammy for “Break My Soul” in February, Beyoncé thanked the LGBTQ neighborhood. “I might wish to thank the queer neighborhood in your love, and for inventing the style. God bless you,” she mentioned. 

Lamar’s relationship with the LGBTQ neighborhood is sophisticated, to say the least. In Could 2022, Lamar launched his album “Mr. Morale & The Huge Steppers,” which included the polarizing music “Auntie Diaries.”

All through the music, Lamar discusses his sophisticated journey towards acceptance and hones in on two trans relations — his uncle and cousin.

“My auntie turned a person and I took delight in it,” he raps. Lamar then discusses his cousin, who transitioned from male to feminine. “Demetrius is Mary-Ann now. I imply he is actually Mary-Ann, even took issues additional. Modified his gender, earlier than Bruce Jenner was sure,” he raps.

Although Lamar sparks an vital dialog about being queer in Black communities and makes use of his learnings as a instructing second for the viewers, there are missteps. Lamar misgenders his relations a number of occasions all through the music and repeatedly drops a homophobic slur. Lamar might have had pure intentions, however his execution was in the end dicey. 

As a substitute of Lamar, I’d have cherished to see newcomer Doechii attain new audiences with a Beyoncé function. In March, Doechii teased what her “America Has a Drawback” function would sound like on social media. The freestyle was effortlessly enjoyable, with Doechii utilizing wordplay to show that she deserved a spot on Beyoncé’s beat. “D.O.E., you can’t outline me. Like Beyoncé, you can by no means discover me,” she raps. 

I actually hope this is not the final “Renaissance” observe to obtain the remix therapy. However transferring ahead, I might like to see Beyoncé collaborating with members of the queer neighborhood, given they invented the style she’s experimenting with.

I am ecstatic that Beyoncé introduced home music to the world’s stage, and now it is time that queer artists aren’t simply celebrated and sampled, however given the chance to take middle stage.