Greetings, everyone! Welcome. Recently, R&B sensation Carrie Hilson sat down for an interview with Claudia Jordan on her Fox Soul show, “Out Loud with Claudia Jordan,” where she opened up about being pressured to engage in a feud with Beyoncé. For those unfamiliar with Carrie’s journey, she skyrocketed to fame in the mid to late 2000s, initially making waves as a songwriter collaborating with acclaimed producers like Polow da Don and Timbaland. Her breakthrough came with her feature on Timbaland’s hit “The Way I Are,” followed by the release of her debut album, “In a Perfect World.” Subsequently, she dropped her sophomore album, “No Boys Allowed,” cementing her reputation with chart-toppers like “Pretty Girl Rock” and “Knock You Down,” featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo.
In a past music documentary on Carrie Hilson, I explored her rise to stardom and the reasons behind her subsequent decline. A pivotal moment was her decision to diss Beyoncé in a track. In her song “Turning Me On,” featuring Lil Wayne, she took veiled shots at Beyoncé and Ciara. One notable lyric went: “Your vision cloudy if you think you’re the best, you can dance, she could sing, but she need to move it to the left, to the left,” clearly referencing Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” Carrie also rapped lines like: “She need to go have some babies, she need to sit down, she fake, them other chicks ain’t worth my time to talk about,” implying a direct critique of Beyoncé. Despite the provocative lyrics, Beyoncé chose not to respond, but Ciara didn’t take it lightly. In her track “You Got Me,” she subtly fired back at Carrie.
When questioned about whether her lyrics targeted Beyoncé or Ciara, Carrie offered this response:
“There’s been some talk circulating that Polow da Don persuaded you to hit the studio and release a track that’s seen as a diss towards Beyoncé and Ciara. Any truth to that?”
“Well, there’s been speculation, but no, Polow didn’t leak it. It’s not the version he intended to release. It’s a fiery verse, one I personally like. Sure, certain names came up, but that wasn’t the intention. It’s not what we aimed for with this track.”
Despite Carrie’s clarification that the song wasn’t a diss towards Beyoncé and Ciara, some fans found it hard to believe. However, Polow da Don admitted in an interview with Sandra Rose that he did encourage Carrie to record the remix:
“Ciara thought it was aimed at her when it wasn’t specifically about her. I played a big role in it. I told Ciara, ‘Hey, Carrie didn’t even intend to say half of what was in that remix.’ I just kept pushing, and it leaked. Now, a year and a half later, Carrie still deals with that remix. It’s not something she’s lived down,” he explained.
But the alleged diss track wasn’t the only thing Carrie Hilson said about Beyoncé that irked some of her fans. Carrie also commented on Beyoncé replacing her on Usher’s remix to “Love in This Club.” Though Carrie was initially slated for the official remix, Usher swapped her out for Beyoncé. Carrie admitted she wasn’t upset but felt it was a missed opportunity to shine since she contributed to the songwriting.
“When you penned the verse for ‘Love in This Club,’ Beyoncé sang it the way you wrote it, right? Or did she alter it?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty much the same.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah.”
“What remained unchanged, aside from—”
“Yeah, she doesn’t write everything she sings. I’m aware.”
Carrie didn’t fabricate when she mentioned Beyoncé doesn’t write all her material. Yet, some Beyoncé fans interpreted it as shade due to the diss track. What truly upset the Beyhive, though, was an interview Carrie did with Juicy magazine. Asked to hold up a magazine featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z on the cover, Carrie refused:
“Would you mind holding up the magazine and giving a shoutout to Juicy mag?”
“Oh, I can’t. I won’t.”
In hindsight, it seems Carrie Hilson may have deliberately avoided Beyoncé to sidestep potentially contentious situations. The media’s inclination to stir up drama between them only exacerbated matters. The relentless criticism from Beyoncé’s fans, the Beyhive, on social media and in public, took a toll on Carrie’s mental health, contributing to her struggles with depression. Moreover, her remarks about Beyoncé likely alienated some industry insiders who were loyal to the superstar, leading to professional setbacks. Beyoncé’s influential position in the music industry made opposing her a risky move, potentially resulting in being marginalized. Carrie’s journey in the music industry was fraught with challenges, including what she perceived as spiritual battles and obstacles erected by others. Eventually, she made the decision to step away from music for several years, during which she underwent personal growth and rediscovered her purpose. Despite facing moments of despair, Carrie persevered, producing some of her most exceptional work during this period of self-reflection and rejuvenation.
Carrie Hilson collaborated with Stonebwoy on the track “Nominate,” yet her solo projects remain eagerly anticipated by fans. Known for her skill in crafting compelling music, she has yet to release any new material. Despite her undeniable talent, some continue to associate her with an alleged diss track aimed at Beyoncé. In an interview with Claudia Jordan on “Out Loud,” Hilson hinted at feeling pressured to engage in such controversies.
“There was a considerable amount of public scrutiny that I had been enduring for years, which had gradually accumulated. I felt unfairly criticized for ideas and decisions that weren’t my own, but rather ones I felt coerced into. Looking back, Harry and I, at that time, I couldn’t help but wonder, why was this happening to her? Why was the treatment so harsh and seemingly joyous in trying to undermine or suppress her? It felt like observing from the outside, witnessing a relentless attempt to silence someone. It’s the price you pay, particularly early in your career, feeling compelled to comply, and when you resist, the resistance is met with even greater force, accompanied by significant threats. You feel boxed in, without much choice. I certainly didn’t feel like I had a choice. It was comply or face dire consequences. I was young, in my early twenties, grappling with the pressure. ‘Sing this song. You’re here for a couple of hours to do that.’ You comply, fearing the repercussions if you don’t. It’s that pervasive feeling of ‘do this, or else.’ But you learn, you learn to fight back harder. At that time, I lacked the necessary resilience. I was perhaps 20 or 21, lacking the fortitude. This was my lifelong dream, my ultimate aspiration. However, I strongly disagreed with being pigeonholed in that manner. No one could ever compare to Beyoncé, let’s just say the name we’re discussing. No one could, nor will they for a very long time. That was never my ambition either. Yet, I found myself framed in that light. It was imposed upon me, written in a way that wasn’t my own. But the consequences were mine to bear. I found myself in a dilemma—should I speak the truth? Should I expose them? At the beginning of my career, being so young and new to all this, with my first album, I was ecstatic. However, it tainted my entire dream. So, I learned, you live and you learn. You learn to stand up for who you are. If I could do it all over again, would I? Would I do things differently? Absolutely. I wonder what the outcome would have been if I had fought harder, if I had simply said no and allowed them to carry out their threats if they were genuine. It felt like the pressure was coming from the very top, and I couldn’t comprehend why. I’m not a provocateur, I’m not that kind of person.”
So, Carrie Hilson recently opened up about her past feud with Beyoncé. She hinted that influential figures in the industry, though she didn’t name names, pressured her to engage in a conflict with Beyoncé. I find her claims credible, possibly stemming from threats by her label to withhold her album if she didn’t comply. It’s conceivable her label even instructed producers like Polow da Don to create diss tracks aimed at Beyoncé, perhaps leaked intentionally to tarnish her image. The music industry can be ruthless, and unfortunately, Carrie Hilson suffered the consequences of playing along with their agenda.
It’s disheartening because Carrie Hilson is undeniably talented—a skilled songwriter and vocalist. She abruptly halted her music career at its peak, squandering much of her potential. However, I believe she still possesses the ability to reclaim her place in the industry. There’s an audience eager to embrace her music again. I hope Carrie finds the courage to release new material, as I’ll certainly be among those supporting her.
It’s refreshing that Carrie Hilson has finally shared her side of the story. What are your thoughts on this revelation? Feel free to share your comments below, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video if you found it insightful. Thank you for watching, and until next time, take care!