Photo: Celebrity Network
Queen B’s Renaissance era is a matter of queens paying tribute to queens.
“Thank you, queen,” Beyoncé said in a heartwarming note to Madonna following the two’s surprise release of “Queens Remix” of her most recent single, “Break My Soul,” on Friday.
“I’m so grateful for you. You have opened so many doors for so many women. You are a masterpiece genius. Thank you for allowing me to sing in your song, and thank you for naming the remix.”
Madonna posted the message on Instagram with a picture of a bouquet from Beyoncé: “Thank you!! From one [queen] to another. I love the re-mix!” Madonna wrote in the caption of the post.
The “Queens Remix” of “Break My Soul” is a sample of the iconic 1990 song “Vogue” by Madonna, however, with an improved twist for Beyoncé’s Renaissance era: The star recites the names of Black female artists in the spoken-word way Madonna initially used to mention other personalities on the original song.
In that part of the track, Beyoncé reads the names of iconic females like her Destiny’s Child bandmate Michelle Williams, Chloe x Halle, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Aaliyah, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Santigold, Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Betty Davis, Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, Renaissance contributors Grace Jones, Aretha Franklin, and her sister, Solange Knowles.
Read also: Amanda Seyfried Reflects on Nude Scenes as a Teenager
Queens of the Music Industry
The original version of “Break My Soul” topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week, becoming the first solo to top the charts in the United States after 2008’s “Single Ladies.”
Renaissance – which contains contributions from Grace Jones, Big Freedia, and Pharrell Williams, and a legendary Donna Summer sample honoring Black artists and the genres they created in clubs globally – made the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 on its debut.
The album made Beyoncé among a few musicians who have reached the No. 1 spots on Billboard albums and singles in the same week.
Madonna released a new version of her 1984 hit “Material Girl” last week, featuring Saucy Santana, titled “Material Gworrlllllll!”
Read also: Beyoncé Tops Album Charts with Renaissance
