It looks like some R&Beef is brewing between Anita Baker and fans of Babyface, and it’s taking over Twitter!
The bulk of the issue appears to be centered around Anita referring to Babyface as a “support act,” which some fans interpreted as being shady.
However, Anita was undeterred and doubled down while letting it be known that SHE is the star of her show.
RELATED: Babyface Gets The Internet VIBING With New ‘Tiny Desk Concert’
#1
Babyface & Anita Baker WERE Scheduled For A Concert Before Plans Changed
Before diving into the present situation, we have to call attention to a matter that emerged between the artists last month.
On Instagram, Babyface let fans know that he would not be opening for Anita Baker at the Prudential Center as they had initially planned.
Specifically, Babyface shared that he was “asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker the space and time to perform her show in its entirety.”
“I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening…My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, Babyface shared that he had “nothing but love and respect for Anita.” He also attributed the cancellation to a failed “video wall.”
#2
Ms. Baker Referred To Babyface As A "Support Act" & Took On His Fans
On Sunday, it turns out that Anita decided to speak on the Babyface situation.
She initially declared that her “Support Act” was set to perform, but a “tech issue” ultimately got in the way. However, Anita clarified that she personally had nothing to do with the matter.
Ms. Baker shttps://twitter.com/IAMANITABAKER/status/1668050356604129281?s=20oon caught some flak for referring to Babyface as a “support act,” though she was unfazed and doubled down.
“Yes Babyface is Special Guest/Support Act on My Tour. This False Narrative of a Co-headliner is creating Unrealistic Expectations & Aggression from his fans towards me.”
She also stated, “He should tell you guys the Truth.” Oop!
Dearest one. You are Not, privy to *The Contracts*. Yes, Babyface is Special Guest❤️/Support Act, on My Tour. This False Narrative, of A Co-headliner is creating Unrealistic Expectations & Aggression, from his fans towards me. He should tell you guys, the Truth https://t.co/avBuMPO60b pic.twitter.com/oOeSVfg7DZ
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Within another tweet, she said Babyface fans are “Not accepting of the Reality that he is Contracted as Special Guest/Support on [her] Tour.”
As you can see… Some of his fans, are Not accepting of the Reality, that he is Contracted, as Special Guest/Support, on My Tour Some even want to hurt me…
Crazyyyy. Town. pic.twitter.com/RlqpkRuGYk— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
#3
Twitter Reacts: "If Somebody Don't Go Take Anita's Phone And Unplug Her WiFi..."
Once people began to catch wind of Ms. Baker’s commentary, they swiftly chimed in.
While some expressed disbelief over the situation, others shared that they believed the matter was being blown out of proportion. Of course, there were others who marveled at her reads and simply enjoyed the mess.
Check out some reactions down below.
Anita Baker and Babyface beefing via twitter was not on 2023 bingo card pic.twitter.com/KVEgi56L5y
— 👳🏾♂️Shay-Boogie🤙🏾 (@HeartBreakSeun) June 12, 2023
All respect to Anita Baker and her career, but she not gon keep trying to lil bro Babyface like he’s not one of the elite in the canon of black music.
— Well guess what, I’m CP (@TopherPatt) June 12, 2023
“And thus began the war between the forces commanded by Babyface and Anita Baker, a conflict that turned uncle against uncle, auntie against auntie. Suddenly, cookouts became battlefields.”
— Brandon Wilson (@Geniusbastard) June 12, 2023
Not to much on Ms. Anita Baker, now. pic.twitter.com/qjsoi3Bord
— dreamlover (@Moving_Kool) June 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/stoppfeenin/status/1668350710180892673?s=20
I just woke up. Did something new happen between Babyface and Anita Baker or are y’all rehashing stuff from 2 months ago ? pic.twitter.com/c8xVLxGov0
— MaltLiquorPapi (@LowkeyBrilliant) June 12, 2023
Anita Baker calling Babyface’s fans “Kenny's Crazies” pic.twitter.com/EIHCMJXAMh
— ❄️🗝️ (@DiaryOfKeysus) June 12, 2023
If somebody don't go take Anita's phone and unplug her wifi…. pic.twitter.com/Kz8jQEbLQQ
— Naima Cochrane (@naima) June 12, 2023
BLK Twitter after seeing why Anita Baker and BabyFace are trending pic.twitter.com/ek5QcQrYld
— Brooklyn (@BrooklynBoyB) June 12, 2023
#4
Anita Continues Bashing "Kenny's Crazies"
Despite what people had to say, Anita continues to speak her truth against Babyface’s fans — whom she called “Kenny’s Crazies, who continue to Harrass.”
Good Morning, to… Kenny's Crazies, who continue to Harrass https://t.co/pb6NdpEO0W
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Later, Anita outright asked Babyface to “call off [his] fans.” She also noted, “I have been Only kind and Supportive of You as the Special Guest/Support on My Tour.”
Kenny's Crazies are online Bullies. @Babyface Please call off, your fans. I have been Only Kind and Supportive, of You, as the Special Guest/Support, on My Tour
ABXO🎼 https://t.co/1nxnrcqL5j— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
There is A White man, behind these Grown Black Men… harrassing Me & Gaslighting, My Fans. Because he Cant take over, this Tour… sO? He wants to Destroy it.
Kenny's Crazy Narcissist@Babyface call off, your Boys https://t.co/z8M3JH3yUO— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Babyface doesn’t appear to have publicly commented on the matter.