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If She...

Posted Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:51am PDT by Jordan Gracey in Reality Bites

Alright y’all, don’t shoot the messenger!

 

Let me just say that I like Beyoncé!  I think she’s a great performer, talented actress, savvy business woman and easy on the eyes.  I also respect how she doesn’t use the paparazzi to stay current, rather she relies on her artistry.  She's a total class act!

 

With that being said….

 

As you may already know, Beyoncé’s third solo album I Am… is due to drop November 18th.  Last week, her video for the lead track “If I Were A Boy” hit various media channels and was met with rave reviews and pleased fans everywhere.

 

However, grumblings also began that this song doesn’t belong to Beyoncé.  Before I jumped on the bandwagon I decided to do some digging and discover if this was real or rumour (‘cause we all know that for every fan there are at least a half dozen haters right?). 

 

My findings:

Song credits for If I Were a Boy” are stated as Toby Gad and Beyoncé Knowles on Wikipedia.  (I had to check here as the album isn’t actually out yet).  After this I turned to iTunes…no luck.  The single isn’t up for sale yet, nor is the video.  Darn.  No fear, the Internet is a vast place, I was sure to find something else.   What did I find?  “If I Were A Boy,” recorded by a little 21 year-old who goes by the name of BC Jean

This California native is apparently the next generation star, from a musical family that has been associated with RCA Records.  For those of you not familiar with labels, RCA (or RCA Victor) is one of the flagship labels of Sony.  Beyoncé is signed to Columbia, which is now a premier subsidiary label of Sony.  Hmmmm...... 

Check it for yourself here 

 

Sorry B!

Jay, please don’t come after me!

What do you guys make of this?

249 Comments

121. -
I went to BC's website and I did find it interesting that Toby Gad had music credits there too. Seems like he is the one common thread. Check it out...http://www.bcjean.net/ and click on songs

122. Yahoo! Music User -
She didn't steal it because she paid for it.

123. Nick1234... -
Did anyone else notice that both Beyonce and BC have worked with producer "Toby Gad"... hhmmmm go read the Q&A on BC Jean's site!!!

124. Yahoo! Music User -
Hmm - strange. Perhaps one of them is honestly a cover. I like both versions but BC Jeans is a little grittier which is nice to come by. Best of luck ladies I hope you can both find a way to express yourself with this song in harmony!

125. Shivani -
Gimmie a break. B already has all she needs. She doesn't need to steal from up and coming artists,and besides, I like BC Jean's version better...prob cause it's the original.

126. Candy -
wow BC version is way better,. i still like beyoncé but i think she might have paid her some goood cash :P

127. Kate Ayeras-Garcia -
why can't they just make an original
why use someone else's song
depressing

i hope BC Jean will be recognized

128. Yahoo! Music User -
It is now very much the norm where popular singers are either ripping off less popular artists , covering songs that are already hits or reworking old songs as if it's their own . In this case , I must admit the BC Jean's version of the song is a far better rendition than Beyonce's .

129. RealityCheck -
Some of you are assuming that Beyonce STOLE the song. How are we to know that she didn't have a deal going with BC Jean? I personally like BC Jean's version better as well. I guess we'll find out when the album actually hits the shelf who it "belongs" to. If I were BC Jean, I'd be pretty stoked that someone as grandiose as Beyonce was singing my song.

130. D M -
Beyonce is a megastar, she has millions she doesnt need someone elses song to sell, but.. it looks as though she ripped off BC Jeans song, I hope this was a simple mistake on her part, maybe she was given the song by someone who said she could take credit for part of it, and she has no idea its someone elses, regardless i hope BC Jean gets the rightful money she is owed on what the song has made in profits because she deserves it!

131. fleur_delaco... -
That is really not surprising. I like BC Jean's version as well. I do think that Beyonce is a great artist, but it's sad that someone so high on the food chain has to steal to stay on top.
Makes me kinda wonder who ACTUALLY should get credit for some of my favorite songs....

132. fojoa -
I'm wondering if all of this was legal. Maybe BC Jean sold the rights to the song so more people could be aware of it. She's probably making a lot of money from the hit, and will still be making money off of it in the future. That being said, I like BC Jean's original better. She sings with more passion, and I love that in an artist. :)

133. vm -
Checked out both versions - BC's is MUCH better! So [profane]ty that Beyonce is going to get so much credit, fame, and publicity for something that is someone else's work...

134. Yahoo! Music User -
She did the same thing with the song "Resentment". She changed a few things at the end and got writing credits for it. But the Jasmine Sullivan and Victor Beckham versions were better!

135. minty fresh -
its totally the same song

136. -
I definitely prefer BC Jean's style with this song, but Beyonce did a nice job with it too. I believe this was a publicity stunt for BC to gain some serious recognition...and it's working because I never even heard of her before and now I'm a fan. It's kind of a shame it had to be this way but if it boosts her career then everyone benefits...one song isn't much of a sacrifice if it means millions of people will discover you as an artist. I happen to love her music now and it sounds like lots of others do too. So I say nice strategy BC Jean, I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more of you soon!

137. Lakeisha -
BC sold Her Song To Beyonce
. . . whats all the buxx about peepzz
BC will be famous in no time dont worry

138. rap_mastah2000 -
that really sucks for BC Jean... and Beyonce can't even claim she didn't know the song because it's exactly the same... Beyonce's version sucks btw

139. killians_red17 -
If you read BC Jean's website that the writer left us a link to, BC Jean says that she is writing with Toby Gad... Maybe hes the thief?

140. Yahoo! Music User -
How does anyone know what the actual truth is? Don't believe everything you read.
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