Beyoncé’s Father Says She and Alicia Keys Had to Be ‘Helicoptered’ Out of Danger During Music Video Shoot

In 2009, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé teamed up for the electrifying track “Put It in a Love Song,” a bold anthem that blends R&B and pop elements to deliver a message of empowerment and authenticity in love. Released as the fourth single from Keys’ album The Element of Freedom, the song features a dynamic collaboration between the two artists. Despite its potential, the accompanying music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, was never officially released. Here’s what Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, said about why fans never got a music video.

Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, explained why ‘Put It In a Love Song’ never got a music video

Alicia Keys and Beyoncé’s 2010 collaboration, “Put It in a Love Song,” stands out as a high-energy anthem that blends soulful R&B grooves with pop sensibilities, capturing the essence of both artists’ strengths. Featured on Keys’ album The Element of Freedom, the song layers Keys’ signature emotive vocals with Beyoncé’s commanding presence.

Unfortunately, the music video for the song was never released. Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé’s father and her manager of 18 years, spoke on the Reality With the King podcast about what transpired. Knowles roughly explained the situation and insinuated that Keys and Beyoncé could’ve been in danger while shooting the video. He also claimed that the two singers were “helicoptered” out of Rio de Janeiro, though his explanation remained sparse.

“I get a phone call, because I’m not a micromanager,” Knowles said. “And they’re in ‘the projects,’ ‘hood,’ ‘ghetto’ in Rio — and Sony hadn’t paid the gangsters. And they had to be helicoptered out of there. A whole lot you don’t know, young man. There’s a lot that people don’t know.”

Mathew Knowles gave advice to the ‘young generation’ hoping to attain success

While speaking on the podcast, Mathew Knowles explained how success doesn’t happen easily. Those who go on to achieve great success in their industries, including his daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, worked extremely hard to get to where they are.

“It’s not microwave success,” he said. “And that’s what our young generation has to understand. If you look at all those before and after in any area. I’m not just talking music — I’m talking sports, I’m talking corporate — these people put in the work. They put it in the work.”

Knowles noted that the greats, like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Beyoncé, put in “10,000 hours” of work to achieve their success. “I hope that’s what young people get out of this interview, whatever their passion is,” he continued. “Passion and work ethics go together. You can’t just have a passion.”

Alicia Keys praised Beyoncé’s talent in the recent past

Alicia Keys and Beyoncé share a friendship that goes beyond the spotlight, rooted in mutual respect and admiration for each other’s artistry. Over the years, they have supported one another both personally and professionally, often speaking publicly about the inspiration they draw from each other. In 2023, Keys spoke on Drink Champs about Beyoncé’s true singing ability. While some people in the industry didn’t consider Beyoncé to be a truly amazing singer, Keys disagrees wholeheartedly.

“I actually do feel that B is one of those singers,” Keys said. “She happens to be a showwoman as well, a showman. She’s visual, so she likes to really show how she’s expressing. But, if she sat next to a piano, and I played, and she just sang, sang, sang, I do believe that she can absolutely hang with the greats. She has a voice that backs up everything. If she stripped it all back, you would really hear it. I think she’s one of the greats, for sure.”

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