Call it “beef braids and beads.” A fight broke out on Wednesday (March 20) after it appeared that Erykah Badu called out Beyoncé for borrowing her signature for the cover of her upcoming Act II: Cowboy Carter album.
Badu, long known for her intergalactic afro-futuristic look, took the subtlest of shots at Queen Bey in an Instagram Story, hinting that their look had streams again. Badu reposted the photo of the limited-edition cover of Beyoncé's upcoming LP, in which the singer — naked except for a sheet that read “act ii BEYINCÉ” in reference to her mother Tina Knowles' maiden name — holds a cigar and poses with Her floor-length braids partially cover one breast, along with red, white and beige beads forming neat bangs.
“HMMM,” Badu captioned the image, according to album-cover-jay-z” target=”_blank”>Complex. Badu followed X with a tweet that read, “To Jay Z. Say something Jay. You let this woman and these bees do this to me?? [laughing face emoji].” At press time it did not appear that Beyoncé had responded to Badu's post, but according to album-cover-8612514″ target=”_blank”>People Bey's longtime spokeswoman Yvette Noel-Schure appeared to comment on an Instagram Story later in the day.
Schure's post reportedly featured a montage of Beyoncé sporting braided hairstyles throughout her career along with the words, “Killing. She kills. Now. Afterward. Always. #criticswithoutcredentials”? Schure's story did not mention Badu by name, and at the time of publication Schure had not responded Advertising signhis request for further comment. A representative for Badu also did not respond Advertising signhis request for comment at press time.
This isn't the first time Badu has questioned Beyoncé's fashion. In 2023, Badu added another “hmmm” alongside a photo of 'Yonce wearing a metallic hat during her Renaissance tour, writing, “I guess I'm everybody's stylist. Favorite Chrome Mirror Hat.”
It's unclear what the women's relationship is, but Bey called out Baud on the “Queens Remix” of her single “Break My Soul” along with other black female icons like Roberta Flac, Betty Davis and Lauryn Hill. on a revival tour in Boston last August – a day after Lizzo was sued by you, a former tour dancer, alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment – Beyoncé omitted Lizzo's name and said “Badu” four times .
By Beyoncé Cowboy Carter The album is expected to be released on March 29.
Check out Badu's tweet and Cowboy Carter's cover below.
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