Copyright Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“Brown Skin Girl,” released in 2019 as part of Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album, quickly became an anthem of empowerment and celebration for women of color. Featuring her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, the song blends Afrobeat rhythms with lush, cinematic production, creating a track that is both musically vibrant and culturally significant. While fans adore the song, Beyoncé didn’t love it at first. However, record executive Steve Carless revealed that Blue Ivy helped Beyoncé rediscover the magic in the song. Here’s what happened. Record executive Steve Carless explained how Blue Ivy Carter helped Beyoncé love ‘Brown Skin Girl’ Steve Carless, a Grammy-winning creative collaborator in the music industry, has worked closely with Beyoncé on several high-profile projects. Known for his ability to blend innovative production techniques with a deep understanding of an artist’s unique style, Carless has supported Beyoncé in crafting performances and recordings. In November 2025, Carless explained on the Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast how he worked with Beyoncé in 2019 while she developed The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack. Carless faced difficulties when helping Beyoncé with this secret project. When he reached out to friends in the industry for help, he was given “Brown Skin Girl” to play for her. Unfortunately, Beyoncé didn’t like the song. But Carless and others felt the song was “fire,” so they continued to play it. “I ain’t trying to get screamed out, ’cause this is like — she holds court. She’s not a joke. She is not soft; she’s always respectful, but it’s business,” Carless said. “… We kept playing the song, kept playing the song. And she’s like, ‘No, that’s not it. Stop playing me that s***,’ in so many words.” Finally, Blue Ivy Carter started singing the hook of the song after repeated plays. “Now, she’s like, play it again,” Carless said of Beyoncé’s change of heart. “Now we’re in the room for 15 minutes listening to this song. She’s like, ‘Alright, I like it. I’ll take it.'” Steve Carless called Beyoncé ‘the sweetest lady’ While speaking on the podcast, Steve Carless explained how he initially got started working with Beyoncé. Carless noted that Jay-Z texted him in 2019, as they’ve “always been cool over the years,” stemming from a long relationship. “So, he just texted me out of the blue one day,” Carless continued, noting that Jay-Z requested Carless call him. “He FaceTimed me,” Carless continued. “He’s like, ‘Look, I’m here with my wife. We need your help, but her guy is gonna call you. Pick up the phone.” Later, Beyoncé called Carless. “She calls me on my phone — she FaceTimes me. Sweetest lady,” Carless explained. “‘Hey, Steve! So excited to be working with you!’ Mind you, I haven’t even agreed to working with her.’ I said, ‘You want me to come right now? I’m at my house in New Jersey. I will see you tonight in LA.'” “That’s the first time I thought to myself, damn, they ain’t f***ing with me,” the executive said. The Grammy-winning collaborator thinks ‘Brown Skin Girl’ is a ‘cultural behemoth’ Steve Carless called the song a “cultural behemoth” thanks to the many African and African-American creators coming together to bring “Brown Skin Girl” to life. “At the time, I had a young daughter,” Carless continued. “And she’s singing a song and didn’t even know her dad touched that song for them and can’t believe it, can’t understand it. That was a very special moment in working with them. So, shoutout to the Carters.”
