Did Beyonce Steal The Idea For Her Billboard Awards Performance?
Filed under: Donovan, Music
Author: Donovan
Date: May 24, 2011
Just when I was beginning to turn the corner on my dislike for Beyonce’s “Run The World (Girls)”, I find this out. While I’m still not a fan of her track, the chorus has grown on me and B blew my mind with her visually spectacular performance at the Billboard Music Awards. As it turns out, the concept which wowed me wasn’t an original thought from Beyonce.
Plagiarism accusations are bound to happen to successful artists. It’s par for the course. Just look at Lady Gaga’s laundry list of plagiarism claims for “Born This Way“. For that matter, Beyonce is no stranger to copying claims either. In 2003, a lawsuit was filed alleging lyrics for her hit, “Baby Boy” were stolen. Her House of Dereon has also been accused of stealing designs. Beyonce was seen purchasing leggings at London’s TopShop, then miraculously a similar heavy metal legging popped up on the singer in a House of Dereon ad a year later. Which brings me to this.
The internet is abuzz that the white effects screen Beyonce incorporated in her Billboard performance was copied from Italian singer Lorella Cuccarini. I admit there is a fine line between plagiarism and inspiration. For instance, her iconic “Single Ladies” music video was inspired by Bob Fosse’s choreography, which she’s publicly admitted. Perhaps a public thank will be coming Cuccarini’s way soon. B’s been in a thankful kind of mood lately. After a messy breakup, Beyonce finally thanked the original Destiny’s Child members during her acceptance speech on Sunday night.
Beyonce versus Lorella Cuccarini
Some tech savvy individual created a video putting the two live performances side-by-side for easy comparison. While it’s clear Beyonce borrowed the concept of the white screen, she could’ve switched things up with the imagery. The similarities with certain graphics like the birds, balls and bars were all literal imitations. Not cool. Watch the video and come to your own conclusions.
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Related Stories:
- New Beyonce Song “Till The End of Time” Leaks
- More Lady Gaga “Born This Way” Plagiarism Claims
- Beyonce Finally Debuts “Run The World (Girls)” Music Video
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Marvin Plummeridge
May 24th, 2011 at 5:39 am
So what if she (or her management) was inspired by it? All progress is based on prior art.
Joseph
May 24th, 2011 at 7:56 am
In music there is a copyright but there isn’t in a live performance as far as I know. Otherwise, I would think there would be a case here but it also depends on how the performance would be looked at. It they were looked at as a whole, then probably nothing could be said or done because they are not 100% exact. If looked at as broken pieces, then maybe considered a few elements used in the Italian performance are the same in Beyonce’s (multiple versions of the performer and the birds.)
Tyson
May 24th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Whatever, Beyoncé did it better. That whole time I would have much rather looked at B’s then that other chick’s. and while the similarities are quite noticeable it still was much different and with a more powerful energy. This just makes me think of that Britany Spears controversy with the country music singers. It’s not like the accusers were any good anyway and the ideas were sort of common, just waiting to be taken.
Tyrell
May 24th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Well, the wings are exactly the same. The use of the bar is the same. The Italian singer tosses a ball in the air. And the drumming section with drum sticks? Exactly the same. So Beyonce, you want to save your track with an iconic Billboard Music Award performance… I get it. But where’s the originality. I don’t care if you do some non-famous Italian singer one better on her concept… come up with your own. I also think that maybe Beyonce had no idea and the camp behind the performance threw the idea at her. None the less, I think Beyonce is capable of doing something original.
Tommy D
May 24th, 2011 at 11:48 am
I mean…Wings drums the same yes, but the way i look at it is like this.
In drag if someone other queen is going to take a song that you are known for and that you do often, the only rule is that she better do it better.
Beyonce did it WAY better.
Gabriel
May 24th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Marvin is dead on. In addition, who cares that elements were similar or the same for that matter. It may not be original, but it was still an amazing performance and by far the best of the night. I mean, Rihanna is clearly not the first performer to roll around on stage half naked and dance with a stripper pole, so fall back. Its all entertainment and should be taken as that, and if you were not entertained, oh well, keep it moving. At the end of the day, success speaks for itself. Now, if we wanna be critical of the Billboard Awards, lets talk about Britney Spears and her lackluster lip-syncing and atrocious dancing!
KyleMacPhamous
May 24th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Beyoncé didn’t do anything wrong. Her performance was insane and it brought me back onto the Beyoncé bandwagon. Although, I wasn’t off it all that much. I may have had a foot off. I love my B. I can’t imagine this ever escalating into anything. It’s not like she pulled a will.i.am or anything.
Al Do
May 24th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
who cares???… I LOVE IT !
Andrew
May 24th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
The idea was not stolen, Tribal Inc. are the graphic designers for both performances! Beyonce discovered the designers in Italy and liked their work.
maximreed
May 25th, 2011 at 5:56 am
yep she did it better. but it’s not inspiration, it’s plagierism anyway…
and beyoncé always does that… that girl might be a performer, a great one, but she has no originality and never brings anything new to the table, that’s getting boring.
and please, why does no one ever say anything about the fact that she never sings her choruses? hello, come on… she’s only moaning and saying a few words here and there in the chorus, EVERYTIME she performs… that’s also boring.
but apparently we can never say anything bad about beyonce, so well, whatever i guess.
Ad
April 22nd, 2013 at 8:56 am
Beyonce can do whatever she wants to do! You guys are just haters wishing you could be her, use someone else’s idea, and get away with it! but you cant, so instead you hate. Leave Queen Bey alone. Get off her dick!