Beyoncé and Jay-Z are proving that some collaborations only get better with age.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Beyoncé released a new remix of her song Morning Dew (Donk), this time bringing her husband along for the ride. The update, titled Morning Dew (Donk) Remix, finds Jay-Z contributing a new verse to the flirtatious track, layering his own take on romance over Beyoncé’s original vocals.
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A song already built for the moment
The original version of Morning Dew (Donk) was far from brand new when it dropped last month. Beyoncé released the previously unreleased, long-beloved fan favorite on July 4 as a tribute to her most devoted followers ahead of the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album, B’Day. The song’s release also kicked off a 60 day countdown to Beyoncé’s birthday, along with a planned reissue of the 2006 album.
Beyoncé wrote the original track alongside Pharrell Williams, The Dream and Darius Dixon. Williams, 53, and The Dream also handled production on the song.
Jay-Z brings his own energy to the remix
While Beyoncé’s verses on Morning Dew (Donk) already lean into themes of desire and late night connection, Jay-Z’s new contribution pushes the mood even further. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee raps about a night that carries into the next morning, framing the pair’s chemistry as both romantic and enduring, and nodding to their shared success along the way.
Two samples give the remix extra depth
Beyond the new verse, the remix distinguishes itself through two notable samples. The first pulls from Sheck Wes 2017 breakout hit Mo Bamba, a song that dominated charts and playlists during its run. The second draws from the Isley Brothers Between the Sheets, a track with its own storied history in hip-hop. That 1983 slow jam was previously sampled on the Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 classic Big Poppa, linking Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s new release to a decades long lineage of R&B infused rap.
B’Day’s legacy lives on
Released on Sept. 4, 2006, B’Day marked a turning point in Beyoncé’s solo career, arriving with a sound distinct from her Destiny’s Child roots. The album delivered several enduring hits, including Déjà Vu, which featured Jay-Z, along with Ring the Alarm, Irreplaceable and Get Me Bodied. Nearly two decades later, the project remains a touchstone in Beyoncé’s catalog, and the upcoming reissue is expected to reintroduce the album to a new generation of listeners.
A public display of partnership
The remix arrives on the heels of another joint appearance by the couple. Beyoncé recently made a surprise appearance during the first of Jay-Z’s three concerts at Yankee Stadium in New York City. During the show, she stepped in to perform Mary J. Blige’s part on Can’t Knock the Hustle and delivered a brief rendition of Love on Top, giving fans a taste of what was to come with the new remix.
The two moments together suggest a summer defined by collaboration for the pair, both on stage and in the studio. For longtime fans of the Carters, the timing feels intentional, tying together live performances, a decades old album’s legacy and a fresh piece of music that keeps the celebration going.
What’s next for Beyoncé
With the B’Day anniversary campaign only weeks into its 60-day countdown, more surprises could still be ahead. Beyoncé’s most recent full length album, Cowboy Carter, arrived in March 2024, and the singer has continued to find ways to honor her back catalog while keeping fans engaged in real time. The Morning Dew (Donk) Remix offers another example of how she’s using anniversaries not just to look back, but to create something new for fans to enjoy in the present.
