As Beyonce’s ‘Formation’ takes on singles from Adele (‘Hello’) and Rihanna (‘Work’) at the Grammys, more tea is being spilled about the blockbuster cut.
Earlier this week, producer Mike WiLL Made-It revealed that Swae Lee (of Rae Sremmurd) was behind the central lyric – ‘Ok ladies, now let’s get in formation’ – as the two freestyled on a car ride on the way to Coachella.
As many know, the track contains many standout lines, with the most renown being the Red Lobster rhyme.
More on how the Record of the Year candidate came to be below…
In an interview with Red Bull Music Academy, the producer says Slim Jxmmi assisted in penning the infamous rhyme.
Before the Queen polished the anthemic record, Jxmmi wrote ‘If you fxck me good, I’ll take your ass to Margiela.’ But after some tweaks by Mrs. Carter, the line transformed into an endorsement that benefited the fast food franchise.
Though ‘Formation’ was a cooperative effort, Mike affirms that Bey wrote both verses. He also elaborated on her initial release plans for the song. The latter of which preceded the idea for the ‘Lemonade’ visual album.
Check out the interview below. The making of soundbite begins at 1:32:02 (it should play automatically):
Love it!
![Did You Miss It? Erykah Badu Reflects on #Beyhive Attack After Claiming Beyonce Copied Her: "They Gon Tear Me Up [For Talking About This]"](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/beyhive-jay-z-beyonce-cowboy-carter-act-ii-thatgrapejuice-2024-erykah-badu-464x260.jpg "Did You Miss It? Erykah Badu Reflects on #Beyhive Attack After Claiming Beyonce Copied Her: \"They Gon Tear Me Up [For Talking About This]\".")
No offense but how is nominated for song of the year. The lyrics have nothing to do with empowerment but instead are about her boating about her life, her man, and child. ‘It trying to drag just want clarity on how this song is getting so much praise
you’re just bitter and jealous your fave will never leave beyonce’s shadow
Lol well my fav is nat king Cole and trust me he sings circles around beyonce lol
@d
Not really …
Mike will wrote that whole song without that B*****
I like Formation but don’t understand how it takes 5-10 people to write these kinds of songs. I would really like to see the day when Bey shuts everyone down and puts out an album that says “All songs written by Beyonce Knowles.” I don’t think I’d want more than 1 or 2 people encroaching on my creativity and songwriting credits.
Lol there are a lot of hidden messages in the song that you wouldn’t get if you didn’t understand the slang. Pretty much the song is painting an image of a female having just as much if not more power than a man. “If he f me good I take his ass to red lobster”… She’s treating him for pleasing her, normally it’s the other way around. She’s independent, she has the power to get what she wants… Etc don’t knock a song because you don’t understand it.
Same thing goes for other songs. Rihanna’s work for example. Truly a sad song when you really pay attention to the lyrics and understand what she’s saying.
Thanks for atleast tryiing to break it down as opposed to saying I’m just hating. I’m really not but I don’t think the song is a powerfully written song. But great thing about music is not everyone has to interpret it the same. As long as Adele doesn’t win I’m happy lol
I’m also surprised to see rihanna in the Roty category bcoz that song is bs
Work’s lyrics are better written than Formation
You go queen BEy you make one of the best album ever I hope you you in good luck more blessing and success in all you do
Always interesting to see how songs come about…Formation has to be one of the most experimental songs to become a hit…I remember the first time I heard it, I was like there’s alot going on in here…then it started to work for me…obviously not for everybody, but I applaud all involved for TRULY making something different! Congrats on #ROTY #SOTY nominations
Painful to watch. Very long winded. Plus his communication skills need work.
Sorry but I thought it was just me. Don’t get me wrong he’s good looking though ????
Again, proof of Beyonce “writing” a song that was already recorded. So all she wrote was Y’all haters corny for that illuminati mess and three other lines, and then repeated it for the 2nd verse. Yet the pest say Rihanna shops for songs, as if Beyonce is writing any more than a word or two and her name. Don’t even reply, because I have info from the past 20 years that she don’t write her music.
It still doesn’t matter bcoz your fave can’t write either plus beyonce’s live performances and singing ability is enough to not criticise her talent unlike riri
Kii @ mark ??
Did u die when he said……SHE WROTE HER VERSES?? OR U JUST DECIDED TO INTENTIONALLY SKIP THAT PART.
Thank you!!!! It’s the mentality of Trump supporters
So they block comments here? don’t worry I’m never coming back
Bye!
Rihanna’s Work contains an interpolation of Alexander O’Neal’s If You Were Here Tonight (1985)…and if you haven’t heard the song Criticize by Slayxander, go hear it lol
The song is horrible I’m sorry lol I’ll rather “hear” Rihanna perform Higher LIVE than to listen to formation.
Still a wack ass song. next.
So she changed Margelia to Red lobster cool !!!
And wrote the verses dumb ass.
She better change a few words and end up at the top of the writing credits!!!!!
‘…The track contains many standout lines, with the most renown being the Red Lobster rhyme.’
You’re right, how many times does she repeats and I slay ? #groundbreaking
I thought she was a song writer?
This post is already a mess…
.
Let me exit left!
I can tell she wrote this song,7/11,partition and Drunk in love those songs seem like they are on her level of intellect but I don’t believe she wrote pretty hurts,irreplaceable,halo and all night
Sia wrote Pretty Hurts for another female artist.
Irreplaceable was written by Ne-yo.
Halo was written by Ryan Tedder.
Thighyonce is NOT a songwriter. Never has been never will be.
B****. What? Why don’t you take a minute and google “Songs written by Beyoncé” just because somebody helped, doesnt mean they came up with it. Everyone has ghost writers. Google is your friend.
And the first song she wrote was bootylicious.
As many know, the track contains many standout lines, with the most renown being the Red Lobster rhyme.
Most lines make sense only for Americans, especially the “Red Lobster” line, outside the US most people have to google what that is. I’m in Italy and I was listening to RDS a famous Italian radio station and they were saying that Adele is the indisputable Queen of the year and that Beyoncé’s Lemonade didn’t have any impact in the country despite being nominated for AOTY at the Grammys, they said that the Grammys focus a lot in the US, while forgetting about the rest of the world. I couldn’t agree more with what they said.
The Grammys is an American award show DUH!!!
Thank you #JACKIE…cause, I was like…lol
Well the Brit Awards only honor UK and Euro acts, every American is pushed into the International category, even when they top the UK charts and sell as much or MORe than UK acts. Adele was nothing but HYPE, although people love Hello. Last, who cares about bankrupted Italy? They been to be fixing their economy instead of worrying about an AMERICAN award show. Know your place, this is America, the nation that the world cares about, yet we don’t care about them. 🙂
Yes…@mark666 even tho u irritate me at times….I COULD NOT HAVE SAID THIS BETTER. U BETTER DRAG @S******-C*** TO THE GROUND.
Yes because it’s an AMERICAN song sung by an AMERICAN artist? Red Lobster is very popular in the US. Their biscuits alone are iconic.
You all are paying attention to this PART TIME KKK SECRETARY A.K.A @S****** RACIST………..U know he will say anything to discredit bey and her blackness.
If he rock me good, he’ll get some Cheddar Bay Biscuits lol
Maybe because it’s ITALIAN radio dumb ass
I love hearing Beyonce stories, she’s such a hard worker! Bey’s work ethic is crazy! I know she must pull in some long hours to see her vision come to life! When it comes to Beyonce, I have nothing but respeck!!! What I’m still a big fan of is her writing! I can always tell when she has something to do with her music! It usually carries such an aggressive tone! I loved that about Bey from day one (ever since Independent Women/Survivor, Upgrade U/Ring the Alarm)!
Love her or hate her, She is untouchable on stage and Lemonade is a brilliant piece of work!
Brilliant piece of work? Lol, it is nothing without the visuals….
And don’t lecture me about the ‘AOTY’ bullsh**, we all know how it goes.
I mean. You’re entitled to your wrong opinion. Thats okay.
Good performer, yes. Lemonade was a pretentious yet extremeley forgettable album. Zero impact. Thighyonce has already purchased her AOTY win though, so hating is pointless.
Lemonade is Brilliant without the video’s. Its production and lyrics alone are amazing.
.
Im so proud of her for continuing to evolve and grow as an artist. People are mad and will say whatever they can to discredit her.
.
Lemonade is also making many year end critics list and is blurring the lines of what qualifies as a Traditional movie. Many critics are contemplating and asking if they can be allowed to name Lemonade as one of 2016 best movies, simply because it was not released in theaters like a Traditional movie. She once again is breaking the traditions of Hollywood and is paving a new lane!
Mike Will and plenty of other writers & producers who have worked with Bey says it’s always a collaboration she actually writes. Idk why people always try to downplay Beyoncé like she hasn’t written #1 hits on her own. In this same interview Mike Will said Beyoncé wrote both verses. Swae came up with the “let’s get in formation” line. But anyway I’m glad he spilled the tea.
I guess when Beyonce said or eluded to the fact that she wrote the Bee Gees Emotions and Irreplaceable is when people started to side eye. In her videos she’s always sitting there with a pen and paper scribing like she starts the writing process as appose to adding to it. I think unless you’re
It’s clear how it was written…without Beyoncé. Every time I hear that song I hear Rae Sremmurd. Even the way she sings the lyrics sounds like them.
Rihanna did the same thing with Diamonds, sang it exactly like Sia. Hell, she did the same thing with Same Ole Mistakes. It’s not even a remake. She sang it the EXACT same way Tame Impala did. No changes, no tweaks, or anything. So what’s your point?
The difference is rihanna doesn’t put her name at the top of the song writing credits. Kii.. duh toilet!
@Cubic Zirconium
*Yawn* Rihanna doesn’t participate in the creation process PERIOD. She brings nothing to the table. She can’t sing, she can’t dance, she can produce, she can’t perform. I’m sorry but what exactly does she do?
Your hate is clouding the little intelligence that you have. Rihanna never claimed that she wrote those. And the other song is a cover. Do I need to explain to you the definition of a cover song? Dumb hive. ?
Are you stupid, simple, or slow? Ya girl can’t write, she can’t sing with her 1 octave range, nor can she do anything aside from that weak ass dutty whine. Trying to come for Bey when your own fave has no substantial amount of talent at all what so ever. The Navy is a f****** joke. Stay in your place b****.
Oh! And pretty much every song that Rihanna TALK-sings is a “cover song” kiii
I think the point is that Rihanna didn’t claim to write either if those songs. It’s also not unfamiliar for an artist to sing a song like the demo. If you hear the demo for De Ja Vu its sang practically exactly the same and I’m sure Beyonce has writing credits on that also.
@Amerikkka’s Most Wanted ~ Tyler
She makes hits and money and doesn’t pretend to do otherwise
That’s not the point @meme claimed that Beyonce sings Formtation the same way Rae Sremmurd would when that’s exactly what Rihanna does! She sings her songs just like the demo’s. Listen to any of the songs that Sia has written for her and you’ll see that what I’m saying is true.
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas Bama!!!!
The guy cut him off but he was saying “she wrote all her verses” so the haters can STFU
Of course he did. His paycheck depends on it.
Did any of y’all even watch the video. He clearly said “she wrote her verses” there were certain lines she kept like part of the chorus and the beginning of the second verse. Mess
Always hilarious to see people suddenly act like writing is the end all be all of talent when it comes to more popular artists, especially if they’re female. I personally don’t care who the f*** wrote it or how many different credits it has, as long as the music is great. Like, ok, (white male with a guitar) wrote every song on his album by himself? Cool, it still won’t change the fact that it’s boring and his writing skills are below average. Maybe some of them should’ve hired a writer instead.
Anyways, all these tears from “real music!!1” fans because she’s STOMPING on everyone on these year end lists. Can’t wait for the tears when Pitchfork’s list comes out even though they pretend they don’t care anymore.
Always hilarious to see people suddenly act like writing is the end all be all of talent when it comes to more popular artists, especially if they’re female. I personally don’t care who the f*** wrote it or how many different credits it has, as long as the music is great.
^ Thanks love! It’s this at the end of the day!
It should be. A GREAT artist should be capable of writing. No one expects them to be Queen Mariah, but they should be able to write a good song every once in a while.
Beyoncé has HATERS no matter what & they’ll keep HATING because they’re born WITH IT!!
Always hilarious to see people suddenly act like writing is the end all be all of talent when it comes to more popular artists, especially if they’re female. I personally don’t care who the f*** wrote it or how many different credits it has, as long as the music is great.
^ Thanks love! It’s this at the end of the day!
Ooops, my comment was suppose to follow behind Rosie’s, but it actually still apply to DanYiel Iman’s as well! 🙂
Exactly….that is what some of the GAGA fans were saying on twitter. Saying that JOANNE is amazing because gaga wrote the songs is funny as hell. Gaga could have had three writers on all on joanne and my feeling still would not have changed on bit…..AN ALBUM IS OR NOT GOOD IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW MANY WRITERS BUT ON THE QUALITY OF THE SONGS.
I never got lost in that! I don’t care if you’re an entertainer, songwriter or performer/songwriter, just be good at what you do! Just because artists choose to write their own songs, doesn’t mean great music is guaranteed! It’s not automatic!
Yup..the gag is that maybe if some of them actually had help and were not focused on being ARTIST…..they would actually have dope songs.
Anton is making so many year end lists I’m so thrilled for her! Billboard named Kiss is Better one of the best R&B songs of the year and The New York Times named Work song of the year! And that’s just a few
This post has nothing to do with Anti. This a post about Formation which has topped MULTIPLE year-end lists and Lemonade which has also. You may take a seat!
Anti
What happened to it??
This woman doesn’t write anything & no propaganda is going to convince me otherwise. She edits existing demos & claims credit, that’s not writing, its production through bullying. Better singers than beyonce have never claimed to be writers (Whitney, Celine etc). Writing a song is what some like Lauryn Hill does: come up with a melody/chord structure (beyonce has never come up with a chord in her entire life), come up with the lyrics (she changes punctuation and/or adds different prose to an EXISTING lyric), that’s NOT songwriting. Also people seem to think harmonizing is songwriting, it isn’t, anybody (even you and me) can harmonize. The evidence of credit thievery is too much against the queen. Remember when she said it was her idea to sample “Bootylicious” from Stevie Nick’s “edge of reason”‘s guitar riff? Rob Fusaru (the REAL writer of bootylicious) came out and was like ‘hold up wait a minute that was MY idea’ and Mathew had do placate Rob with some b******* explanation. Let’s not forget all the other countless times she’s been accused of stealing song credits and “settling out of court”: The Des’ree debacle with “I’m still in love”, that was so embarrassing that Sony was forced to recall deluxe versions of “B-Day” because court said she wasn’t allowed to release it (I call it her Blurred lines moment LOL), Frank Ocean’s tweet when he was still on twitter, the story behind how “If I were a boy” (one of a few songs her name isn’t on) ended up on “I am Sasha fierce”, she once even claimed to have written the Bees Gees “emotions” LMAO, till Bee Gees fans checked her. “I miss you” existed a year before “4” but was miraculously credited when she released 4, there are even amateur footage videos on Youtube of Frank performing it way before 4. She bullies songwriters into including her name in the credits (so they can share the publishing royalty) but she does not dare bully established writers. The song “I was here” from “4” was written by Diane Warren, the writer of many hits including Celine Dion’s “Because you loved me”. That song only has Diane credited ALONE. Why? Because you don’t f*** with Diane’s creative/intellectual property. I heard she tried to credit herself for Billy Joel’s “Honesty”(lmao) & Billy was like ‘oh no you don’t b****, you can sing it if you like but don’t DARE put your name on the credits list’ and her name isn’t on because you don’t f*** with Billy’s work. I don’t believe she’s capable of writing a song (INVENT a chord structure AND set lyrics to that chord structure), nor has she ever written any song in her life. I don’t believe she even wrote those repetitive Destiny’s Child nursery rhyme-esque songs of the 00’s. Until there’s a song with her name only on it, I call b*******. She’s an extremely good singer though but she’s definitely no song writer, not in the slightest. These D-grade producers claim “she wrote the verses” because they know Beyonce’s name is a gravy train and if you p*** Beyonce off there’s no more money, ask Neyo. Songwriter my a***.
Wow wow
Anything to KNOCK BEYONCÉ DOWN HER FOOLS ARE HERE FOR IT BUT THERE FAVE Barely whispers a ON KEY PITCH but she’s garnered as the best in the business with her flat tones? Ri-Whine-A WILL NEVER!! ?