Music
Beyoncé pays tribute to Tina Turner in Paris
Although the singer paid tribute to Turner, fans still aren’t happy over lyrics that mocked the late singer.
Beyoncé paid tribute to the late Tina Turner during her ‘Renaissance’ tour stop in Paris on Friday.
The ‘Drunk in Love’ singer told the sold out crowd to “scream so [Turner] can feel your love.”
“If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner,” she continued. “’Cause I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner.
“I feel so blessed that I was alive to witness her brilliance. I also feel very blessed to be here to perform once again.”
Turner passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83 following a long battle with an unknown illness.
Beyonce’s words come after she was criticized by fans
Beyoncé’s tribute to the late singer comes after fans criticized her for a song lyric that mocked her abusive history with ex-husband Ike Turner reemerged on Twitter.
“Beat the box up, like Mike in ‘97, I bite / I’m Ike Turner, turn up baby, no, I don’t play / Baby, no, I don’t play, now eat the cake, Anna Mae / Said eat the cake, Anna Mae!,” husband Jay-Z raps in their hit song ‘Drunk In Love’.
The line reportedly references a dispute Ike once had with Turner, whose real name is Anna Mae Bullock, over a piece of cake.
Fans made their displeasure known on social media, with one fan tweeting: “A reminder that Jay-Z and Beyoncé on ‘Drunk in Love’ say these words, mocking Tina Turner (Anna Mae) being beaten up by Ike Turner, & ref the moment he pushed her face into her celebration cake to abuse her.”
Another wrote: “I keep thinking about how disrespectful it was for Jay-Z and Beyonce to have that ‘Drunk in Love’ lyric making fun of Tina Turner’s abuse from Ike….”
Turner wasn’t a fan of the lyric either, telling the New York Times, “Yeah, I’m not surprised” when asked about the song in 2019.
Despite the controversy, Beyoncé praised Turner in a statement following news of her passing.
“I love you endlessly. I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience,” reads the statement.
“You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.”