B.C. Jean is a singer/songwriter who actually wrote the song,”If I Were a Boy” and has reportedly had to go take Beyonce and her father/manager Matthew Knowles to court. BC Jean is claiming copyright infringement because she only allowed Music World/Sony to purchase the rights to the song.
BC Jean
Beyonce’s people slapped her name on it in an effort to make Beyonce seem as though she had written the song. This has been going on for years. There was also controversy aboutt the song “Irreplaceable” which Beyonce was claiming until it was later revealed that singer/songwriter Ne-Yo penned the hit. During her years in the group Destiny’s Child, Beyonce was constantly credited with writers and producers credits when it’s pretty obvious that the girl doesn’t write a thing and definitely can’t play an instrument. Yes, there are many producers that don’t play an instrument that are successful but when it comes down to it, the person playing the melody on the piano or guitar usually ends up creating the song. I should know since I’ve been a producer for 15 years. I’m not a fan of artists who steal credit for material from unknowns. Hopefully Beyonce wrote some of the songs that she claims, but I highly doubt it. Check out BC Jean’s version of “If I Were A Boy” below.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
who cares if Beyonce didnt write the song she proberly an sing it better than the person who wrote it so who cares she sucha good singer it shouldnt matter !!
October 16th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
People should proof read their posting before sounding stupid. One should not go around stealing others music, even if you are Beyonce.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
beyonce is so wrong. she shouldnt have done that. and the writer of the song sounds better than her.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
If beyonce did steel it the song that sucks….but ive listened to both songs and some of the are different so technically she can sing it….but she sings it better…i dont see what the big deal is if beyonce just gives the songwriters credit!!!! i mean thats their job she should pay them for it…..its probly her father behind this one
October 17th, 2008 at 4:26 am
the original singer did a better job than beyonce.
October 17th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
If this is actually true, a lot of people, including myself will lose respect for Beyonce…even though other artists practice stealing songs and taking credit. When I heard this story, I was shocked…just wouldn’t expect it from her. Shame!! Shame!!!
October 17th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I think Beyonce’s version sounds better however…Beyonce is DEAD WRONG for stealing song writing credits from this girl. I’m not surprised. Beyonce’s country behind probably can’t compose a sentence let alone a song.
October 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I hear the song and loved it..give credit “B” there is enough to share…
was most disappointed to hear that “B’ did not write it. what a let down ..
“B’ young women are following you…Honest does not count?????????
October 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Beyonce receiving writing credits to A COMPLETED SONG BY CHANGING A FEW WORDS AROUND is just PLAIN WRONG!!! THE FACT THAT IT’S A STOLEN ONE AT THAT MAKES IT ALL THE MORE DISTURING!!!
Sorry to all Beyonce fans, but she has gotta be one of the most disgusting people in music out there right now.
BEYONCE IS A THIEF!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I don’t think its the singing of the song that is the problem. The problem is that if you write the song you make alot of money…singers make less. Not only that you gain the reputation of being a writer of hit music. Beyonce has a history of taking credit for other peoples music. She has to stop this. She is already famous and rich. Give the other creative people the credit they deserve.
October 20th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I am now a fan of BC Jean. Beyonce is a fraud.
October 20th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Beyonce is a thief plain and simple, she might as well be lip syncing. The crappiest part about all of this is that BC Jean will never get the rights to the song back because like all the rich and famous beyonce will just buy her way out of this, to get what she wants. Beyonce knowles- fraud, thief, bad actress.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Bc Jean sings the song way better. It’s so unfair how beyonce is getting all the spot light for “If i were a boy”.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Will you people get a grip - neither bc jean or beyonce wrote the song - a guy named gad wrote it. If bc jean had indeed written it - she would not be complaining … she would hire a good entertainment attorney and sit back and rack in the lute - ‘cuz this WILL be a hit~!!! A hit she obviously couldn’t produce. And as for the writer of this article who “claims” to be a producer - hate is laced throughout this piece. Name 1 act you’ve produced. It’s o.k. I’ll wait. Right.
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 am
BC jean sang t better beyonce is gay and i dont like ehr
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 am
this is such a biased article. Beyonce does not recieve a credit for writing this song in the final album credits. Get over it. The song rocks, and Beyonce made it a hit. she never stole it. Beyonce Co-Wrote Irreplaceable that is a fact.
That controversy around Irreplaceable was that Beyonce reniged on her promise to sing a duo with Ne-Yo on his album for help with writing Irreplaceable, not that she was stealing credits.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I THINK THAT B IS A LIAR AND SHOULD BE BANNED FROM EVER SINGING AGAIN………SHE HAS SOOOOOO FREAKING MUCH THAT SHE COULD AFFORD TO GIVE THIS GIRL BC JEAN OR ANYONE ELSE THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT WOMAN HAS SOME NERVE TO DO THIS REGARDLESS IF IT WAS HER DAD OR NOT SHE PUT HER NAME ON IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!! SO SHE SHOULD GET OVER HER SELF AND AS SHOULD YOU GUYS WHO BELIEVE SHE WAS RIGHT REGARDLESS!!!!!!! I WAS A BEYONCE FAN BUT NOW IM A BEYONCE BOYCOTTER!!!!! IT TAKES A UNIQUE PERSON TO COME UP WITH A SONG AND THEY PUT EVERYTHING INTO IT AND SHE HAS RAPED ANY ARTIST/SONG WRITER
HOW ARE WE GOING TO SUPPORT HER FOR HER WRONG DOINGS!!!!!!! F***K HER AND HER DAD TOOO!!!!!
………
J TAYLOR
ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY THINKS THAT ANYONE SHOULD GET OVER TAKING THE CREDIT OF SOMEONES WORK NEEDS TO BE STONED…I CAN SEE IF SHE DID THE SONG JUSTICE BUT SHE DEFINITELY DIDN’T…THE ONLY REASON ANYONE COULD CONDONE BEYONCE CLAIMING THIS SONG AS HER OWN IS BECAUSE THEY DIDNT WRITE IT…PERSONALLY I’D BE PISSED IF I MAKE A POTENTIAL HIT AND SOMEONE ELSE CAME ALONG AND TOOK IT AS HER OWN..I DONT CARE WHO WROTE IT…BEYONCE STOLE IT AND SHE SUCKED DOING IT..ALTHOUGH IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ALOT IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS IT WILL NEVER MAKE IT RIGHT AND PEOPLE WHO DO IT ARE SCUM AND SORRY SO CALLED ARTIST WHO CLEARLY HAVE NO TALENT AND NEED TO TRY TO BENEFIT GREATLY FROM OTHERS…SHE ALREADY HAS SO MUCH MONEY, FAME, AND GLAMOUR….IS IT REALLY NECCESARY TO CLAIM SOMETHING AS YOUR OWN WHEN ITS NOT? HA…GET OVER IT…YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET OVER THE FACT THAT BEYONCE ISNT ALL OF WHAT SHE’S CRACKED UP TO BE…CAN SOMEONE SAY…OVER RATED?…
TAYLOR W.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
lottay, any musician/songwriter/artist should care, and anyone who enjoys music for that matter, because musicians/songwriters/artists get paid for what they compose…it is their livelihood. Songwriters/musicians receive royalties everytime a song in which they write is played on the radio, in movies, ads or is used in any public forum. Music entities such as ASCAP and BMI (which some artist are members of and in which they pay dues to) are responsible for keeping tabs on songs that are played so these artists can get paid for their music being played in public. To BC Jean and other artists who create the art of music IT DOES MATTER!
October 24th, 2008 at 12:58 am
that chick sang her heart out! go BC Jean… yea… beyonce effed up her song. the original is a million times better… u feel her emotions… ugh! beyonce is trifling
October 24th, 2008 at 4:38 am
I have never heard of this person however as soon as I head beyonce’s version which was last week, I thought to myself that this was a song that was actaully eloquenty written . NO slang and it sounded heart felt but as I hear this young lady sing it oh MY!!!! She does such a better job that is a clear that this person wrote the song!!!!! I do nto know who she is but I really wished she would have kept it for herself!!!! I am intersted in her work now!!!
October 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Okay… Let’s see if I understand this properly. If I illegally download Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”, the RIAA would be all over me. But, when someone essentially steals another person’s intellectual property and makes a boatload of money, the RIAA is okay with that because they’re getting their cut. Pretty much sums it up. Oh…and they just strengthened ip copyright laws.
October 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
DAT BiTCH WUZ WR0NG EITHER WAY U PUT IT SHE SHOULDNT HAVENT STOLE HER SONG DAT BITCH GOT TIRED OF MAKIN HER OWN SONGS SHE HAD TO STEAL SOMEBODY ELSES SHE A DUMB BITCH
October 25th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Just leave her alone. listen, all ur goin off is by this website. where is the PROOF! beyonce is the bomb, shes got it all. BC aint doing that well because no one has heard of her. look she’s wrote 95% of her work. dont listen to stupid website giving FALSE information.
beyonce is back!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I have to admit when I first heard this song sung by Beyonce I knew she couldn’t have wrote or arranged the musice for this record. I mean no fence to B but all of her music sounds a like, a chorus sung fifty times over and beat you’d swear sounds just like her last song. It takes REAL talent to write a song with such soul and meaning to it and this songs definitly show cases that. Although both women did an good job singing it I think BC Jean did the BEST job. The song goes with her voice and should be sung by her ONLY. I am so dissapointed in B
October 25th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
To all of you Beyonce Stans that keep coming in here trying to bash me for writing this article, these are facts. I just report the news. I’ve been in the industry for years and I get information before many of the other sites. Many of you keep saying that no one should believe my article because it’s just an article on some blog. Well, would you believe Fox News ? They are reporting the same thing here http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,437442,00.html. So stop all of your hating on me and just deal with the fact that Beyonce is just like many other artists and producers that steal credit from unknowns each and every day. Beyonce didn’t write most of the songs that she claims to write just as producers like Timbaland and Dr. Dre don’t always produce all of the tracks that they claim. Filthy Rag doesn’t deal with stories that have no proof to support them and we don’t believe in hurting our own people. But the truth is the truth. The other day, all of the blogs were reporting the story about Will Smith but we would never run a story like that because that’s not what this site is about. Don’t let the name fool you. In response to Michael, Beyonce changed some of the melody on the song “Irreplaceable” and was saying that she co-wrote the song in interviews. Do your research before you come in here running your mouth because that’s also a fact. To Bella, you’re not worth responding to. I got mine, get yours. Church !!!
October 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Sad
She has so much and this girl is struggling to make it.
B is already on top—no need to step on people to stay there.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:53 am
How sad. She’s got so much, and she couldn’t even give credit to someone who’s trying to make it? This isn’t really the first time she’s getting sued for stealing something, though. And I feel that they are going to slam J for the her for this one. That’s messed up. She’s got a great voice. I believe she exagerates to much sometimes. She couldn’t just give this talented writer some credit? That’s low man. just low.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Beyonce is a diva if I’ve ever seen one and she is NOT a good artist if she needs to rip off people on myspace. Even if Beyonce is somewhat talented that does NOT give her the right to steal someone’s song. It did not sound natural for Beyonce to sing. I enjoyed BC Jean’s version a lot and she has a unique voice. I am glad this article was published and BC Jean is getting some recognition through Beyonce’s wrong doing.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Beyonce does need to give the proper credit to the right person. But that song is a hit and will make plenty of money for the person that wrote it. So maybe good will come out of this situation
October 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
You can not really blame Beyonce for this, only because she may not have know it was a stolen song escepially if her father was behind the whole thing. She should however give BC Jean royalities for every dollar she makes for the song. BC Jean should really be mad at the producer of the song for selling it to Beyonce’s dad in the first place. Either way it goes Beyonce has been know for stealing music or dances moves. Just like in her video Single Ladies, it was said she stole the concept and some of the moves from Mexican Breakfast (youtube it). So u be the judge of the whole thing, personally I like BC Jean’s version better.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Okay 1st of, let me say, lets not get all upset and curse at Beyonce because it was her peoples to put her name on it. All Beyonce does it sings what is given to her! Don’t disrespect B just because of her mistake, we all make them, you’re not as innocent as she is! No matter who sings it better, its BC Jean Song & B should have over read the paper works that were handed to her & confirmation it with anybody to see if it was there song! Beyonce is still a great singer, but we all have mistakes!
So shut up!
October 31st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Oh & for the person to say that she also stole dance moves from Mexican Breakfast…. ummm a dance is a dance! Everybody is going to do it. Yeah they get their props for making the dance up but when you go around doing the “soulja boy” or the “pool palace” or even the “chicken dance” that is also somebody’s dance, so would you be considered stealing too?!?
exactly, let it “B”!
November 1st, 2008 at 5:44 pm
i absolutely LOVE beyonce i really do, but if this is true she was sooooo wrong for that. No one would have thought any less of her if she would have just told the public that she got a hot song from a new artist. In fact ppl probably would have liked her more 4 discovering such talent. Im really disappointed to b a fan of hers right now. AND it doesn’t matter that she’s Beyonce, whats wrong is wrong. Her fame should not put her above the moral code, and i bet if she did this to some of you “supporters” it would be a completely different story.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 am
I think that Beyonce should stop roben other peoples songs its just gredy and stupid ! Bc Jean’s version of If I Was A Boy is much much better than Beyonce’s enyway but I heard that Beyonce and her dad promesed Bc Jean a demo so I can’t wait to hear that .
Sue From Liverpool .
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I fell in love with this song but am disspointed in what I heard about beyonce stealing that girl’s song..it’s unfair that was sucha beautiful meaningful song and beyone get’s all the lime light….ha well not now!
November 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
she my girl but she stole that girl song so disspoited
November 12th, 2008 at 12:32 am
When i first heard this song and saw the beyonce video, i really liked it but felt like something was off… I think heard the BC Jean version recently and realized what it is. This song was written by and for a rock star, not a diva. Divas don’t ever ask themselves “if i were a boy.”
Give this song back to BC Jean.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I don’t care who Beyonce is..That was not even fair. And you can tell by the way Beyonce sings the song that its not hers, the tone of emotion is completely wrong. I love the BC Jean version WAYYYY better..she puts so much more into the song, rather than just singing words. and I agree with what Rick said about Diva’s not asking themselves “if i were a boy”
November 16th, 2008 at 3:05 am
When i first heard Beyonce’s version of “if i was a boy” i figured that she was trying to switch up her style bit, but damn!!! B, you shouldn’t go around stealing people’s songs like that. And even if u weren’t aware of it, you need to fire the people who work for u because they’re doing u wrong. But that still doesn’t take away from the fact that U STOLE THE SONG!!!!! Maybe u should try writing one of your own. Stick to your deja vu stuff - this style doesn’t suite you cause the original version sounds WAY better.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
BC JEAN sings this song a miilion times better than beyonce as she should because she wrote it and she knows how she wanted it too be sung i dont no why she isnt a recording artist i would definatly bur her c.d’s wooo BC JEAN
November 17th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Here’s my take on it. Oh, and without goofy-ass language errors as well. As far as I’m concerned this is not a “Beyonce” song. Let’s face it, she has a style to her own, and hearing her sing this song does not fit her style. I’ve heard her take a stab at country and it doesn’t work for her either. The song is a well-written tune, and it works when BC Jean sings it, but Beyonce’s voice is too powerful for a song like this. Again, it’s my opinion, but I just don’t want to hear Beyonce sing this.
As far as “stealing” it? I believe her father bought the rights to the song. How is this stealing? Is it morally wrong to take someone’s song and penn it as yours? Yeah, that’s not right, but it happens all the time. Again, though, that’s not an excuse.
At least exposure of this story, as well as both versions, allows one to make a decision on which song is musically more fitting to the artist. For my money, it’s BC JEAN.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Okay so, I believe the writer of this article fully. I read the fox news article. As for this article being biased and full of underlying hate for beyonce I don’t believe that. There have been many artist who steal songs from other people and they all reap the consequences like Beyonce will be doing. Most of your replies are biased honestly. I don’t like or dislike either of these artists. I feel bad for BC Jean though, because i’ve heard both takes, and I like BC Jean’s better.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:54 pm
If I were a Boy is one of my favorite songs on Beyonce’s new cd Sasha Fierce, however, i think that the original singer, BC Jean’s is way better. When the song came out it didn’t sound real official, you can tell that Beyonce was trying to strain her voice when singing.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
i really dnt understand the big deal about it beyonce did a good job in singing tht song yer its wrong…. new singers steal old songs all the time but u neva here about tht y beyonce who gives a shit u both sound gud wat does it matter 2 me i think every1 is just ova reacting!!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
LOOK HERE BEYONCE IS DOIN HER THING SHE IS A SMART PERSON U JUST DONT KNO HER AND IF SHE A THEIF Y N THE HELL R U LISTEN TO HER SONGS AND BUYING EVERY CD SHE MAKES COME ON NOW BC SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL NOBODY KNOW WHO SHE IS SO HOW DO U KNO IF SHE TELLING THE TRUTH SHE CAN SAY SHE WROTE IT BUT JUST SUNG THE SONG OVER LIKE BEYONCE DID COME ON DO BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I like Beyonce’s voice on the song. But I listened to BC Jean’s song and Beyonce didn’t even change a thing on it. I love Beyonce, but this is crazy!
December 10th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
YOUR JUST A HATER MAD THAT BEYONCE JUST TAKES THINGS AND MAKES THEM BETTER, ILL TELL YOU WAHT QUIT BITCHING AND CRYING AND GO GET A RECORD DEAL FOR YOURSELF INSTEAD OF SITTING HOME BROKE WRITING SONGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING BEING “STOLEN”. FURTHER MORE IF YOU GAVE HER THE SONG TO SING ITS NOT YOURS ANYMORE AND I BET YOU ANY AMOUT OF MONEY SHE OR SOMEBODY GAVE CREDIT WHERE CREDITS DUE MONEY CD COVER ECT.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
that was wrong of beyonce to do dat, but beyonce sagned it much much better den herr.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
andd yes beyonce changed sum things. she took out sum words and replace sum, like confronted, and instead of writing id’ drank beer…….. she took of i’d
December 20th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
B.C sings it better … naturally cuz she wrote it! Beyonce needs to stop stealing… obviously she isn’t as talented as she thought.. cuz if she was she would write her own songs!!!
December 25th, 2008 at 12:56 am
STR8 UP.
B.C Jean did it up , she sounds way better than how Beyonce tried to sound.
NUFF SAID.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:50 am
not surprised, the original is hella better! get your credit BC!
December 30th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I loved this song when I heard it by Beyonce, but it sounded like something she wouldn’t had written her self. Before hearing this song I was not a fan of hers and now knowing that she took the song from B.C. Jean and published it, I am once again not a big fan. B.C Jean sounds much better. The lyrics are a little different but are at the same time so much a like that I think its totally wrong that beyonce took this song and published it. B.C jean deserves to get credit for it and Beyonce should have to pay.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
who the hell cares she sounds fantastic. STOP HATING
December 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
SORRY STOP HATEING
December 30th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
you people are pathetic liars, the song when sung by BC sounds awful. The girl is screeching and struggles to sing the song the whole way through.
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
SHUT UP IT DOESNT MATTER CONVERSATION OVER
January 4th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
BEYONCE IS THE BEST,ALL THAT HARD WORK TOURING AND PERFORMING ON STAGE I GUESS SHE STEALS THAT TO HUH.YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE WHEN SOMEONE LIKE BEYONCE IS ON TOP AND UNTOUCHABLE PEOPLE ALWAYS GOT TO FIND SOMETHING TO BRING THEM DOWN. STOP GOT DAMM HATING. IF THIS BC JEAN CHICK IS SO GOOD HOW COME SHE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WITH HER OWN SONG? ALSO I THINK THIS GUY WHO BROKE THIS STORY MAYBE IS PISS OFF BECAUSE HE MIGHT HAVE WANTED TO WORK WITH BEYONCE AND SHE TURN HIM DOWN.