Photo: Getty Images
Beyoncé was ready to pass on one of her most popular songs until her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, chimed in with her thoughts.
During a recent conversation on the PLLRS podcast Won of One, seasoned A&R Steven “Steve-O” Carless discussed some of his work behind the scenes. Carless, who's worked the likes of Nipsey Hussle, YG, Jeezy and others, told one never-before-heard story about his time working with Beyoncé on the soundtrack for Disney's live-action film, The Lion King, in 2019. Carless recalled that Bey initially wasn't feeling "Brown Skin Girl" and told him to turn it off.
“We keep playing the song, keep playing the song, and she’s like, ‘No, that’s not it. Stop playing me that s**t,’ in so many words,” Carless tells host Reginald Calixte. Beyonce wasn't sold on the record until Carless played it again at a meeting with JAY-Z, their daughter Blue Ivy, and Disney executives.
“Blue Ivy’s in the meeting," Carless explains. "She starts singing the hook: ‘Your skin’s just like pearls. The best thing in the world.’ Now, [Beyonce’s] like, ‘Play it again.’ Now, we’re in the room for 15 minutes listening to this song,” he remembers. “She’s like, ‘Alright, I like it. I’ll take it. It’s going to be the single.’”
"Brown Skin Girl" started off as demo that SAINt JHN and producer P2J made for The Lion King: The Gift. The song also features Blue Ivy and WizKid. Following its release, the music video for "Brown Skin Girl" was also included on Beyoncé's Black Is King visual album in 2020. The song went on to earn several awards, including a Grammy for Best Music Video in 2021.
Watch the entire interview below.