Spotlighting Our Favorite Producers On Beyoncé’s ‘RENAISSANCE’
At last, Beyoncé has finally unveiled her seventh studio album, RENAISSANCE. The album’s lead single “BREAK MY SOUL,” which was produced by Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, Isak Swing and Beyoncé herself, hinted towards a shift towards electronic and house music. Now with the full project out everywhere, this shift in sound has fully taken shape, making for an infectious, dancefloor-focused record that features some of this generation’s greatest producers. Here are our favorite ones who helped shape the boundary-pushing sound of RENAISSANCE.
Honey Dijon
Production credits on “COZY” and “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”
Honey Dijon has built an impressive catalog as a solo artist and performer, with her debut album The Best of Both Worlds being released back in 2017. She has been enlisted to remix the likes of Lady Gaga, Madonna, Jessie Ware and more, while being a strong advocate for trans rights and awareness, speaking from her own experience as a black, trans DJ and producer.
Nova Wav
Production credits on “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” “CUFF IT,” “ENERGY,” “PURE/HONEY” and “SUMMER RENAISSANCE”
RENAISSANCE doesn’t mark the first time production and writing duo Nova Wav have worked with Beyoncé, as they co-wrote her 2020 single “Black Parade,” which went on to win a GRAMMY Award for best R&B performance. On top of the five songs they co-produced on RENAISSANCE, they co-wrote “ENERGY,” “VIRGO’S GROOVE,” “MOVE” and “HEATED.” Other than Beyoncé, they have worked alongside the likes of Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Kehlani and more.
Mike Dean
Production credits on “I’M THAT GIRL,” “COZY,” “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” “ALL UP IN YOUR MIND,” “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM,” “PURE/HONEY” and “SUMMER RENAISSANCE”
One of the most acclaimed producers within hip-hop, Mike Dean has been working alongside Kanye West since his The College Dropout and Late Registration days, and has contributed to almost all of his projects ever since. Known for his iconic synth lines and multi-faceted productions, he has worked with the likes of Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Megan Thee Stallion, Kid Cudi, 070 Shake and many more.
The-Dream
Production credits on “I’M THAT GIRL,” “ALIEN SUPERSTAR,” “CUFF IT,” “BREAK MY SOUL,” “CHURCH GIRL,” “VIRGO’S GROOVE,” “MOVE,” “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM,” “PURE/HONEY” and “SUMMER RENAISSANCE”
A 5x GRAMMY-nominated producers, The-Dream has been active within the music industry for decades now, while having built up a large solo discography as a singer and songwriter. He has worked alongside Britney Spears, Rihanna, JAY-Z, Pusha T, Kanye West and many more highly-influential artists.
The full list of producers who contributed to RENAISSANCE includes Al Cres, BAH, BEAM, Beyoncé, BloodPop, Boi-1da, Cadenza, Chris Penny, Guilty Beatz, Harry Edwards, Hit-Boy, Honey Dijon, Isak Swing, Jahaan Sweet, Jameil Aossey, Kelman Duran, Leven Kali, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Luke Solomon, MeLo-X, MIKE DEAN, Morten “Rissi” Ristorp, Neenyo, No I.D., NOVA WAV, P2J, Raphael Saadiq, S1, Sevn Thomas, Skrillex, Sol Was, Stuart White, Syd, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.
