People can’t stop talking about the new Beyonce album Renaissance. Whether it’s for Queen Bee’s embrace of the house and disco aesthetics or the recent edits to the album that sprung from initial controversy, the new album has a lot of material worth talking about and more worth dancing to. Just before the album dropped though, some may have missed or noticed that the album’s big single “Break My Soul” had a remix package. In it are four remixes. There are different takes provided by will.i.am, Terry Hunter, and Nita Aviance. But the standout track from this group comes from a collaborator and house legend Honey Dijon.
If you didn’t already know, Honey Dijon lent her production talents on two of Renaissance‘s opening tracks “COZY” and “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”. But while the album maintains a cool four-to-the-floor rhythm, this remix from Honey Dijon was crafted to cater to nightclubs everywhere. It has these hypnotizing drums that are boisterous as they are groovy. It interpolates small elements from the song, while throwing them into Beyonce’s commanding vocals and the shuffle-inducing rhythm. It’s also an incredible flex for the Chicago native. Honey Dijon is a vibrant example of how house music’s origin from the Windy City are more relevant today than they ever have been. Here’s what she said on Instagram in regards to her recent work on Renaissance and the experience overall:
“To share my Chicago house music roots and black queer and trans culture with you and the world is profound and emotional. I am honored, humbled, delirious with joy, and proud. Thank you to my boo @amakadsi for believing in me. Your love and support means the world to me. Thank you to my music partner @lukesolomon who is my Bernie Taupin. I love you and thank you for all of the love and support since our early days of dancing together in loft parties in Chicago. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to my management @samzholt @josh.d.mongan for all of your hard work and dedication. I appreciate you both so much. Thank you @rickylawson_ @marielgomerez for all of your hard work and bringing me into this amazing project. It’s been such a pleasure to work with you. A special thank you to my crew @cpenmusic @davegilesii @cor.ece for your amazing talents. I am over the moon”
Make sure to check out Honey Dijon’s stellar remix of “BREAK MY SOUL” by Beyonce