‘Kenny’s Crazies’: Anita Baker Kindly Gathers Babyface And His Fans Following Concert Controversy
Source: Variety / Getty
The idea of Anita Baker having a Twitter spat with Babyface was not on our 2023 BINGO card. Yet, here we are.
In case you need some context, this strange social media spat stems from Babyface’s opening slot on Anita’s 15-city tour earlier this year. He was scheduled to open up the May 10 concert at New Jersey’s Prudential Center. However, his set was cut due to the concert being delayed for technical issues.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter took to Twitter to apologize to the fans.
I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at @PruCenter. I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety. My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for…
— Babyface (@babyface) May 11, 2023
“I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at @PruCenter. I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety,” he wrote. “My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.”
Fast forward to this past Friday (June 9), with Anita starting a full rant on the platform. Apparently, Babyface’s fans have been coming for her ever since, and she called Babyface to task for staying silent on the matter.
When A friend, is being attacked, by Your friends?… because, of Mis-information/fake news And, You have an Opportunity, to Say Something/Correct it?
… It’s A Nice, thing.
… It’s the Right thing to do.
Reputation, Peace & Safety Matters
abxo pic.twitter.com/nzE4Mk9PmQ
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 9, 2023
She also addressed some of those fans who may have mistakenly thought that Babyface was a co-headliner and that his set being cut was a result of Anita’s decision-making. She let it be known that the tour is hers and hers alone.
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
After that, well… let’s say Ms. Baker had some TIME today!
Twitter beef isn’t hardly a new concept to Ms. Anita Baker.
Lest we forget about the time Baker had it out with fellow iconic vocalist Cheryl Lynn (“Got To Be Real” and “Encore”) in 2015. That was when Lynn posted a screenshot showing that she was blocked from being able to follow Baker on Twitter. Lynn tweeted, “I thought we were cool.” But because Lynn was blocked, Baker probably didn’t even see the tweet. Still, Lynn continued to tweet at Baker in a similar fashion. In a remarkable blend of both internet savvy and Twitter shade, Baker later tweeted at no one in particular: “They love 2 call ur name/stand in ur light…& its not even ur light. Call HIS name…the light is HIS & there’s enough for ALL #Namaste.”
They love 2 call ur name/stand in ur light…& its not even ur light. Call HIS name…the light is HIS & there’s enough for ALL #Namaste
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) May 28, 2015
In an indication of how things ended in that situation, Lynn later said there was no beef between them and deleted her entire Twitter account while Baker’s Twitter shade game remains undefeated, as shown below.
Check out some more of Anita’s tweets and reactions!
1.
Out of Kindness & Community, you Gift them $200k worth of Production/that YOU Pay for… And, Still, they Complain & hold up, the show Annnd, Slander & *Villanize, Your name to social media blogs & press#Massa&Plantation pic.twitter.com/yO1UXvBKte
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 11, 2023
2.
It was 9:30pm.
*Contractually?…
It was WAAAY Past time 4 the Headline Performer, to be On Stage/Anita Baker
Support Act did Not Perform.
I have No Contract with Support ActNot my Call
I Did what i was *Contracted 2 do & Love, as Headline Performer, of my Sold Out Concert pic.twitter.com/es6PJGNOmz
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 11, 2023
3.
Support Act’s Equipment was On Stage For HOURS Prior my Set amid Video wall Failure… But, With Live Musicians? We. PLAY. ANYway
Why did they, Not Perform?
I/Anita did Nothing to Prevent their Live/to Track, Performance…. Other ppl? Tech issue?#AskThem pic.twitter.com/PBkLyrI0y7
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
4.
Not P.R. worthy, 2 simply say, maybe Promoter/Others? Said, Performance Slot has passed Massa, Alerts the Industry Blogs & media & Say ANITA BAKER, is responsible… Her name will Get Attention. Industry Bloggers will Intimidate & Bully her N2 fearful silence pic.twitter.com/myNK4JJ4LF
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
5.
Good Morning, to… Kenny’s Crazies, who continue to Harrass https://t.co/pb6NdpEO0W
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
6.
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
7.
He hates, Beyonce, as well
Kenny’s Crazies https://t.co/VLTqIX5rWb
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
*We’re sure Beyoncé is somewhere asking, “Now why am I in it?!”
8.
I Fought & WON that Case tOO! 20 YEARS AgoAnd NOW, i’m More Successful Than EVER
it does’nt Diminish @Babyface, Mngr Conracted, as My Special Guest/Support Act, to HELP Expose, him 2 My Arena Size Fan Base… It HELPs Him… Bye, to Kenny’s Creepy Crazies https://t.co/pb6NdpEO0W pic.twitter.com/Jo4Us8zjNg
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
9.
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
10.
P.R. ppl on my TL, wanting me, to hire them, to Help
This isn’t a P.R. Thing for Me… This is about Boundaries. And, Not, SHRINKing, when Strange Men, line up & threaten to hurt You. *Minimizing, The Threat*, by calling it, *A Beef*
abxo pic.twitter.com/cYBM0LLDVa
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
11. AND NOW… THE REACTIONS
Some of you are being hella grimy in Anita Baker’s Mentions because you don’t understand how contracts work and I feel pretty confident that your behavior would embarrass the mothers and aunties you’re taking to her show. pic.twitter.com/u8cO0f47c7
— April (@ReignOfApril) June 12, 2023
12.
Never in my life would I expect Anita Baker and Babyface to beef on twitter pic.twitter.com/ZHVPD0ZxEk
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) June 12, 2023
Really, it’s more so Anita having beef with his fans, but still…
13.
Me looking at this internet beef with Anita Baker and Babyface… pic.twitter.com/ApbrFE8WQ2
— Sorrows, Sorrows, Prayers (@sir_spnce) June 12, 2023
14.
The wildest part abt this Anita Baker/Babyface thing is the pure boomerness of it all. She is goin off abt shit that happened a month ago b/c she JUST became aware of it
— Louis M. Cypher (@lou_m_cypher) June 12, 2023
15.
Anita Baker and Babyface beefing via twitter was not on 2023 bingo card pic.twitter.com/KVEgi56L5y
— Shay-Boogie (@HeartBreakSeun) June 12, 2023
16.
Well, Anita Baker got the condescending auntie tone down to PERFECTION. Gahhhleeeee.
— He who remains (@Kn0wID) June 12, 2023
17.
Anita baker and “one hit” don’t go in the same sentence baby… https://t.co/veHQHjZ5jn
— ~Quan (@Hudson_Boii) June 12, 2023
Look, what we NOT going to do….
18.
That concert when Babyface set got cut was over a month ago….and y’all still gotcha feet on Anita Baker’s neck…. Auntie said enough is a enough pic.twitter.com/EPLcclTykS
— Live Laugh Love (@x_markdaspot) June 12, 2023
19.
Anita Baker and Babyface beefin on Twitter!?? pic.twitter.com/OKiJChmnAR
— Cal (@Cal_camp) June 12, 2023
20.
What is going on? Is Anita Baker hacked? If not, she is too old to be this messy on social media! https://t.co/tJcOjxPx45
— 𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊 (@MJFINESSELOVER) June 12, 2023
21.
Not to much on Ms. Anita Baker, now. pic.twitter.com/qjsoi3Bord
— I’m A Seasoned Professional (@Moving_Kool) June 12, 2023
22.
BLK Twitter after seeing why Anita Baker and BabyFace are trending pic.twitter.com/ek5QcQrYld
— Brooklyn (@BrooklynBoyB) June 12, 2023
23.
Anita Baker please…
— journalist jawn (@dirtywhiteups) June 12, 2023
And on that note… GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY!
The post ‘Kenny’s Crazies’: Anita Baker Kindly Gathers Babyface And His Fans Following Concert Controversy appeared first on NewsOne.