Tina Turner fans slam Beyoncé, Jay-Z for making ‘mockery’ of late singer’s abuse
Tina Turner’s fans have turned on Jay-Z and Beyoncé over a song lyric that mocks the late singer’s abusive history with ex-husband Ike Turner.
In the couple’s 2013 hit duet track, “Drunk In Love,” Jay-Z raps, “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!.”
Tina’s birth name was Anna Mae Bullock and the cake line was reportedly in reference to a dispute Ike once had with the Grammy winner over a pastry.
The controversial lyrics have resurfaced in light of Tina’s death on Wednesday.
The Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll died on May 24 at her home in Switzerland following a long illness. She was 83 years old.
Beyoncé was one of many celebs that paid tribute to the late “Proud Mary” singer.
The “Cuff It” singer, who once graced the stage with Tina at the 2008 Grammys, shared a statement about her “beloved queen” on her website.
“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,” Beyoncé wrote.
“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.”
Shortly after, Tina’s fans criticized the “Crazy In Love” singer, 41, and her husband, 53, on social media.
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“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…,” one person tweeted.
Another added alongside a screenshot of the lyric, “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.”
A third wrote, “Reflecting on Tina’s legacy, I’ve always been surprised + disappointed how her being a domestic violence survivor somehow always turned into a joke, esp. in rap music. That’s one reason I don’t play Drunk in Love often, because of Jay Z’s verse + his reference to ‘eat the cake.'”
This is not the first time that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been criticized for “Drunk In Love” as the musicians even had to release an edited version on British radio when it first came out.
The New York Times asked Tina about the song in 2019 and she seemingly said with disappointment, “Yeah, I’m not surprised.”
Reps for Jay-Z and Beyoncé did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
