(Bossip.com)
NIT – Pop-icon Beyonce has gotten the attention of NASA and angered the families of astronauts lost on the space shuttle Challenger after her newly-released song ‘XO’ sampled audio from the explosion of that spacecraft.
With no notice, Beyonce released her fifth album “Beyonce” exclusively on iTunes on December 12th – her first since 2011’s “4”.
The 10th song on the album “XO” begins with the voice of a NASA official saying “Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously, a major malfunction” as the Challenger exploded off the coast of Florida, killing all those on board.
The backlash against the use of the audio has begun to pick up steam in recent days, with NASA and others leveling criticism at the previously squeaky-clean pop diva.
“The Challenger accident is an important part of our history; a tragic reminder that space exploration is risky and should never be trivialized,” NASA said in a statement Tuesday. “NASA works every day to honor the legacy of our fallen astronauts as we carry out our mission to reach for new heights and explore the universe.”
Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, also released a statement, saying “We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song ‘XO’. The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends. We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today.”
Beyonce has now attempted to defend herself, saying in a statement this week that “The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten.”
I’m not a fan of Beyonce’, but I don’t hate her neither like some who are resentful and jealous. I do know this: Everything that comes out of NASA is free to the public…photos, audio whatever…because it’s paid for by public tax dollars. So if she wants to use an explosion in her song…that’s up to her.
“but I don’t hate her neither” – duuuh!
Beyonce was making a tribute you knuckleheads.
I could understand your point if her song was about something other than “hurry let’s have sex before something happens”.
The song references nothing touching and the audio isn’t even credited as from Challenger in the lyrics itself.
The only lesson her lyrics is providing is “better have sex as often as possible guys!”
How is it not disrespectful for this audio to be in the song?
How about if an artist used audio from police scanners on 9-11 to open a song about sex?
Would it then be disappointing that the survivors and their families get disappointed and appalled about the use of the audio?
Would you find them despicable because clearly “lets have sex because you never know” is a wonderful message?
I honestly stopped to read the lyrics to the song before I formed my opinion, because I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I personally find your demeaning attitude to the people who dedicated their lives to improving all life on Earth pathetic, though you’re entitled to your opinion.
Good post. Beyonce is just another diva with bad taste.
Ms Knowles : isn’t she that mature woman who gave
a private concert for the Khadafi’s (convicted of plunders, rapes at home
and abroad, torture and murders) ?
Most “celeritries”‘s ethics remain at zero level.
… scavenging for extra millions at tyran’s homes
(millions, by the way, taken from their
oppressed people).
…all that beauty and talent…and not a brain in her head…what the heck was she thing…obviously, not much!