In a world that often pits women against each other, Beyoncé and Madonna’s collaboration and the female friendship that arose from it gives us all the feels. Beyoncé released several remixes of “Break My Soul,” the first single from her new album rebirth. One of the remixes, called “Queens Remix” is a great example of Madonna’s 1990 hit “Vogue”. During the spoken word portion of the song in which Madonna calls out celebrities including Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich, Beyoncé changes it to black female artists including her sister Solange, Grace Jones, Lizzo and Whitney Houston and sings along to the version of Madonna.
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The original cut of “Break My Soul” is pasted on top Billboard Charts, giving Beyoncé her first US solo number-one hit since 2008’s “Single Ladies”.
Beyoncé thanked Madonna for letting her try out Vogue, and Madonna was thrilled by the gesture. Is a new friendship blossoming between the two singers?
Beyoncé calls Madonna a ‘masterpiece genius’
Beyoncé was so grateful to Madonna for giving her the Vogue sample that she sent the queen of pop a huge bouquet of white roses, tulips and orchids along with a note that read:
“Thank you, Queen. I am very grateful to you. You have opened so many doors for so many women. You are a masterpiece genius. Thanks for letting me sing on your song and thanks for naming the remix. Love always and forever, B.”
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Madonna shared a photo of the bouquet and a note on her Instagram account with a note containing two heart emojis that read “thank you!!! From a [crown emoji] to another [crown emoji].”
For the record, Beyoncé did not utter the phrase “find your masterpiece.” It is a lyric in the song “Alien Superstar” on her recently released album Rebirth.
Who Is Beyoncé Paying Tribute To On The Queen Remix Of ‘Break My Soul?’
Madonna’s “Vogue” was influential in the 1990s as it was one of the first mainstream songs to celebrate New York City’s LGBTQA+ Black and Latinx ballroom culture and the fashion that grew in popularity from that subculture.
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In Beyoncé’s spoken-word version of “Vogue” in “Break My Soul,” she first pays tribute to Madonna and then goes on to name some very powerful and talented black women, including, Aaliyah, the Godmother of rock n’ roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe; Punk, rock, hip-hop and dance music artist Santigold, blues icon Bessie Smith, legendary Nina Simone, funk artist Betty Davis, her sister Solange, Erykah Badu, her Destiny’s Child bandmate Lizzo, Kelly Rowland, Lauryn Hill, iconic Roberta Flack, R&B icon Toni Braxton, Janet “Miss Jackson if you’re bad” Jackson, Tierra Whack, Missy Elliott, the one and only Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Sade, Jill Scott, Destiny Michelle Williams of Child, Sister Chloe X Halle actress, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj.
Why it’s important for women to work together and get to know each other
Of course, Beyoncé and Madonna are successful superstars, but there is still a lesson in their collaboration and how Beyoncé thanked, acknowledged and appreciated Madonna’s efforts. The flowers and beautiful note that Beyoncé sent to Madonna can also be seen as the younger generation showing appreciation for its elder, who opened paths in the music business that were not immediately available to female artists before Madonna break down those barriers.
Is there a relationship in your life that could use this kind of gratitude and appreciation? Maybe a friend who would love to get a card or note in the mail or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while whose spirits would be lifted and appreciated to hear how much it means for you.
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Women working together is especially important and powerful. After all, women have been fighting against boys’ clubs almost since the beginning of time. Forbes reported on “The Power of the Package” and how that mindset can be especially helpful for women, specifically, “There’s power within the package” and “you realize that your strengths make the table better.” Beyoncé realized that adding Madonna to her “Break My Soul” remix would make it better and also make it a showcase for two powerful female voices.
of Harvard Business Review also found that women who collaborate with each other have a greater chance of succeeding in their industries largely due to the fact that traditionally women have faced problems, such as unconscious bias, that have prevented them from advancing in the same pace as men. Sharing your experience with other women helps break the proverbial glass ceiling.
Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’-like Queens Remix celebrates the unique and essential contributions that black women (and Madonna) have made to the music industry. It is a powerful and inspiring work of art.