On Beyoncé‘s new album Renaissance, she interpolated Right Said Fred’s hit “I’m Too Sexy” on “Alien Superstar.” The group’s Fred and Richard Fairbrass, as well as past member Rob Manzoli, are credited as co-writers on the song, however, in a recent interview, the Fairbrass brothers claimed, “Normally the artist approaches us but Beyoncé didn’t because she is such an arrogant person she just had probably thought ‘come and get me’ so we heard about it after the fact when you did. But everyone else, Drake and Taylor Swift, they came to us.”

In a statement shared with Pitchfork, Beyoncé said:

“The comments made by Right Said Fred stating that Beyoncé used “I’m Too Sexy” in “Alien Superstar” without permission are erroneous and incredibly disparaging… For their song, there was no sound recording use, only the composition was utilized. Permission was asked of their publisher on May 11, 2022 and the publisher approved the use on June 15, 2022. They were paid for the usage in August, 2022. Collectively the Right Said Fred writers own more than any other singular writer and have co-writer credit. This accusation is false.”

As Beyoncé noted in her statement, the Fairbrass brothers had previously seemed happy to have been included on Renaissance. Right Said Fred even tweeted, “It’s nice to get a writing credit on the new ‘Beyonce’ album.” (Pitchfork)

It’s nice to get a writing credit on the new ‘Beyonce’ album. ‘Renaissance’ Credits: Drake, A. G. Cook, Syd, Right Said Fred, & More #Beyonce https://t.co/vnjFftkMLk

— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) July 22, 2022