Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z's "Crazy In Love"
2/12/202658 min
How did “Crazy in Love” announce Beyoncé’s arrival as a solo superstar? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into this career-defining moment, breaking down the iconic Chi-Lites horn sample, Beyoncé’s commanding vocal performance, and an early demo from producer Rich Harrison that reveals how the song’s infectious hook came together.
Songs Discussed:
“Crazy In Love” - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
“Flat Beat” - Mr. Oizo
“Survivor” - Destiny’s Child
“Independent Women Part I” - Destiny’s Child
“Jumpin’ Jumpin’” - Destiny’s Child
“Bootylicious”...
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsBeyoncé· Soundbite0:00
Crazy, baby. Got me looking so crazy right now. Your love's got me looking so crazy right now Hold on. Got me looking crazy Oh, that's the note. Got me looking so crazy right now That's the note. Your love's got me looking so crazy right now. Woo!
Diallo Riddle· Host0:10
That, that one note that where I pointed to you- Yeah ... that's my favorite note in the whole song. [record scratching] Luxury, today we're talking about the song that marked a turning point for one of the most influential artists of all time, the moment she stepped into solo superstardom.
Blake "LUXXURY" Robin· Host0:23
That's right, Diallo. This song was everywhere when it came out. It topped the charts for eight straight weeks- Mm ... took home not one, but two Grammys, and just as importantly, remains a cultural touchstone, arguably laying the foundation for everything that followed in her career.
Diallo Riddle· Host0:37
[laughs] And several other people's careers, too.
Blake "LUXXURY" Robin· Host0:38
Indeed.
Diallo Riddle· Host0:38
I'm so excited because we have the demo. That's right, we have the demo for this breakout song. We're talking one song, and that song is Crazy in Love by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z.
Beyoncé· Soundbite0:49
Got me hoping you'll page me right now. Got me hoping you'll save me right now. Got me looking so crazy. Your love's got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love.
Diallo Riddle· Host0:58
[record scratching] [upbeat music] If you're a fan of One Song, you already know you're into the deeper story, the culture and circumstances behind unforgettable music moments, especially when the history gets complicated.
Blake "LUXXURY" Robin· Host1:14
That's exactly what the new season of La Brega explores. Season three of the critically acclaimed bilingual podcast dives into cultural battlegrounds, from courtrooms, to boxing rings, to the global stage.
Diallo Riddle· Host1:24
It's the story of Puerto Rican champions and what they can teach us about identity. Listen to La Brega