Remembering Messy Mya: The New Orleans Native Whose Voice Was Sampled for Beyoncé’s “Formation”

#NOLAZINE - When Beyoncé released “Formation” in 2016, listeners immediately recognized the song’s strong connection to New Orleans. The music video featured images inspired by the city’s culture, Black Southern identity, Hurricane Katrina, and the resilience of Louisiana residents.

However, one of the record’s most authentic New Orleans elements came from the voice of the late Anthony Barré, better known as Messy Mya.

Messy Mya was a New Orleans comedian, bounce artist, and early YouTube personality whose unforgettable voice and personality made him a local cultural icon. Although his life ended tragically in 2010, his influence reached an international audience when excerpts from his videos were used in “Formation.”

The decision ultimately resulted in a major legal battle, with Messy Mya’s estate filing a lawsuit seeking more than $20 million in damages and royalties from Beyoncé and several other defendants.

Who Was Messy Mya?

Born Anthony Michael Barré on December 15, 1987, Messy Mya became known throughout New Orleans for his bold personality, sharp humor, colorful appearance, and ability to turn everyday encounters into entertaining moments.

Before TikTok, Instagram Reels, and modern influencer culture, Messy Mya was building an audience on YouTube. His videos showed him walking through different areas, interacting with people, discussing local situations, and delivering hilarious commentary in his unmistakable New Orleans accent.

Messy Mya did not need a large production team to hold people’s attention. His personality was enough.

His fearless delivery and natural comedic timing made him one of the city’s most entertaining young personalities. He was also involved in New Orleans bounce music and reportedly appeared on songs with local artists, further demonstrating that he was more than an internet comedian.

Messy Mya was becoming a multimedia entertainer before many people realized how powerful social media would eventually become.

A Promising Life Cut Short

Messy Mya was fatally shot in New Orleans on November 14, 2010. He was only 22 years old.

His death devastated his family, friends, supporters, and the larger New Orleans entertainment community. At the time of his passing, he had already uploaded more than 100 videos and reportedly accumulated more than two million YouTube views, according to allegations later included in court documents.

Those numbers were especially impressive during an era when becoming an online personality was not as common as it is today. Messy Mya was building a recognizable brand and connecting directly with an audience years before social-media content became a major industry.

He never had the opportunity to see how large his platform might have become.

Beyoncé Used Messy Mya’s Voice in “Formation”

Beyoncé released “Formation” on February 6, 2016, one day before performing during the Super Bowl halftime show. The song became an immediate cultural event and was later included on her critically acclaimed album Lemonade.

Audio from Messy Mya’s YouTube videos can be heard in the “Formation” music video. His distinctive voice delivers phrases including “What happened at the New Orleans?” and “back by popular demand.”

The recordings originated from two of his videos, “A 27 Piece Huh?” and “Booking the Hoes from New Wildings.”

Messy Mya’s voice helped establish the video’s New Orleans setting from its opening moments. For people familiar with the city and its internet culture, hearing him on a Beyoncé release was instantly recognizable.

It was also a bittersweet moment. His voice had reached millions of people around the world, but he was no longer alive to experience the attention.

The Estate Filed a $20 Million Lawsuit

In February 2017, Messy Mya’s estate and his sister, Angel Barré, filed a federal lawsuit against Beyoncé and other parties associated with “Formation.”

The lawsuit alleged that Messy Mya’s voice, words, and copyrighted performances had been used without proper permission, credit, or compensation. The plaintiffs sought more than $20 million in damages and royalties. They also requested that Messy Mya receive appropriate credit for his contribution.

The complaint involved not only the “Formation” music video but also alleged uses of his voice connected to Beyoncé’s Lemonade album and Formation World Tour. Forbes reported on the estate’s allegations and the requested damages.

Beyoncé’s attorneys denied that the use amounted to copyright infringement. Her legal team argued that only a small amount of audio—approximately 10 seconds—appeared in the video and that the use was protected as fair use. The defense also stated that the video’s producer had licensed the material.

A Judge Allowed Major Claims to Continue

Beyoncé and the other defendants asked the court to dismiss the case. In July 2017, U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown rejected the request to dismiss several of the estate’s most important claims at that early stage.

The judge allowed the copyright infringement, false endorsement, and Louisiana unfair-trade-practices claims to continue, while dismissing the estate’s separate unjust-enrichment claim. The ruling did not determine that Beyoncé was liable; it meant the court could not conclude at that stage that the use was legally protected by fair use.

The federal court’s decision can be reviewed in Estate of Barré v. Carter.

Reports later indicated that the parties reached a settlement. The terms were not publicly disclosed, meaning it is unknown whether money was paid, how much may have been involved, or what other conditions were included. Therefore, the reported settlement should not be described as a court victory for either side.

His Voice Became Part of a Worldwide Moment

The legal dispute raised important questions about ownership, sampling, internet content, and whether the creators behind memorable voices receive proper recognition.

Messy Mya’s contribution was brief in length, but culturally significant. His voice was not simply a random sound placed in the background. To many New Orleans residents, it immediately represented a specific personality, generation, and part of the city’s culture.

“Formation” became one of Beyoncé’s most celebrated releases, and Messy Mya’s voice became forever connected to that moment.

For longtime supporters, his appearance on the record introduced the world to something New Orleans already understood: Messy Mya possessed a voice and personality that could never be duplicated.

Remembering a New Orleans Original

Messy Mya deserves to be remembered for more than the lawsuit or the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.

He was an entertainer ahead of his time. He understood how to use the internet to build an audience before social-media fame became normal. His humor, confidence, expressions, and unmistakable delivery made him one of New Orleans’ most memorable personalities.

Today, his videos continue to circulate online. His famous sayings are still repeated, and younger viewers continue discovering his work. His influence can also be seen in the many comedians and content creators who use street interviews, neighborhood humor, public commentary, and viral catchphrases to entertain their audiences.

At Nolazine, we remember Anthony “Messy Mya” Barré as a true New Orleans original. His life was taken far too soon, but his voice traveled from the streets of his hometown to one of the largest stages in popular culture.

Messy Mya may be gone, but New Orleans will never forget him.