Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur [1]
Beyoncé is an expert at keeping her fans guessing, and she does just that with her song "America Has a Problem" off her album "Renaissance." The star has embedded political messaging into her music many times before, but on "America Has a Problem," Beyoncé instead uses a politically charged title to tell a different story.
The song's title "America Has a Problem" is likely a reference to the 1990 track "America Has a Problem (Cocaine)" by Kilo Ali. That song tells the story of a cocaine addict-turned-dealer, and critiques the pipeline that leads people to lose their lives to drugs. In Beyoncé's song, though, she uses drugs as a metaphor for the effects she has on a lover. "Your ex-dealer dope, but it ain't crack enough / I'm supplyin' my man / I'm in demand soon as I land," she sings, comparing herself to a drug her lover just can't get enough of.
On May 19, Beyoncé surprised fans with a remix of "America Has a Problem" featuring Kendrick Lamar. Though Lamar's work often intertwines the personal and political [2], he also opts for braggadocio on "America Has a Problem." He does throw in a very timely reference to AI, though, which has been advancing at an explosive pace in recent months. His verses feature wide-ranging lyrics from "Even AI gotta practice clonin' Kendrick" to "I'm an honorary Beyhive, let's see why / Them diamonds don't be fly, they all CGI." He also drops a tribute to Beyoncé's husband JAY-Z [3] at the end of his feature. "Billboard, they know (Out for us, ride or else) / After Hov, rightfully so," he raps, likely referencing his second place position on Billboard's list of best rappers of all time [4] — which JAY-Z tops.
While the song doesn't seem overtly political at all, it's definitely also possible to argue that dance, joy, romance, and powerful self-love can be seen as political statements in and of themselves. "Renaissance" has always been about dancing through uncertain times [6], and its indebtedness to Black, queer artists and subversive creative scenes [7] also solidifies it as an album about creating joy and community no matter what's going on in the world.
"America Has a Problem" has been having a viral moment ever since Beyoncé performed it on the opening night of her "Renaissance" tour in Stockholm, Sweden [8], inspiring a number of TikTok dances. Listen to the remix featuring Lamar below.