M.I.A. Covers Beyoncé: The pop star remixes "Flawless" as "Baddygirl 2."

M.I.A. Did a Manic, Upbeat Remix of Beyoncé's "Flawless"

M.I.A. Did a Manic, Upbeat Remix of Beyoncé's "Flawless"

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Slate's Culture Blog
May 13 2014 9:44 PM

M.I.A. Did a Manic, Upbeat Remix of Beyoncé's "Flawless"

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M.I.A. puts a twist on Beyoncé's "Flawless" in "Baddygirl 2."

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for New York Magazine

One of music's most powerful, provocative pop stars just paid tribute to another: M.I.A. today released a remix of Beyoncé's "Flawless," which she's called "Baddygirl 2." It's a fairly liberal interpretation of Queen B's track, with some retooled lyrics (“I woke up like this, I went to bed like this, we do everything just like this”) and a more manic, high-energy sound.

That sound is in keeping with M.I.A.'s eclectic and diverse influences. The track doesn't quite measure up to the original, but that's a tough ask; regardless, it's an interesting and head-bopping take. Listen to the remix below.

Sharan Shetty is on the editorial staff of the New Yorker. You can follow him on Twitter