Music legend Anita Baker is on tour and contracted fellow legend Babyface as her opener. At a recent show, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds tweeted that he was asked not to perform so Baker could play her full set, following a late start. This understandably ticked off Babyface fans, who’ve been attacking Baker online so much that she’s calling them “Kenny’s Crazies” and asking them to leave her alone.
Recommended VideosWhile the concert in question happened back in May, things got more intense after Babyface performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert on Friday.
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
“Kenny’s Crazies are online Bullies,” Baker tweeted on Monday, before asking the artist to “call off” his fans.
“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” she said.
Back in May, Babyface said he was “truly sorry” to his fas waiting to see him and that his band was “extremely saddened” about not being able to perform.
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, 2023This sort of opened the floodgates, with many claiming that Baker was a difficult artist to work for. According to the Indy Star, comedian Loni Love — who opened for Baker a decade and a half ago — said she “hoped she and her team had improved for the better over the years.”
Cheryl Lynn, a contemporary from back in the disco days, said “When someone shows you who they are the first time, believe them.” Singer Stephanie Mills said Babyface could come perform with her instead.
We have got to be better than this! I am saddened by the fact that you have to make this statement. One would think as older artist who are considered “Iconic” and or “Legendary” we would treat each other with respect and dignity. @Babyface We can tour together 💜💜
— Stephanie Mills (@PrettyMill1) May 11, 2023“We have got to be better than this! I am saddened by the fact that you have to make this statement. One would think as older artist who are considered ‘Iconic’ and or ‘Legendary’ we would treat each other with respect and dignity.”
Other people started talking about how rude Baker is as a person.
Wow.. My mom unfortunately just met Anita Baker and she was so rude.. She like, started yelling at my mom for saying she liked her music. Wow. So disappointing. @Iamanitabaker
— China† (@chinamcclain) April 19, 2018Babyface eventually explained the delay was due to performance issues.
“As advanced as technology is today we are sometimes at its mercy. The video wall was unfortunately not working that day and time wasn’t on our side,” he said. “I am incredibly sorry to the fans and have nothing but love and respect for Anita.”
This didn’t really stop people from going at Baker, though. Also, people were perplexed because they didn’t know Baker wasn’t co-headlining with Babyface. Baker said he was a “special guest/support act, on my tour. This false narrative of a co-headliner is creating unrealistic expectations and aggression from his fans towards me. He should tell you guys the Truth.”
Baker then said it’s more juicy for people to blame her than the concert promoter.
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, 2023If anyone is keeping this thing alive it’s Baker. She said that Babyface’s equipment was the problem and was sitting on the stage for hours.
This Truth? Will never Reach all of the Places & People that The Slander & Intentional Fake News has been, *deliberatly Sent 2*
I dont really, do Press. It's Exhausting. I simply prefer to Sing🎼❤️
I'm Praying the Truth reaches My Global🌍🌏 Fan Base & My Reputation is Restored pic.twitter.com/5ZLYJ9ZNNu
Following this she said she was contracted to take the stage at 9:30 p.m.: “I have no contract with support act…Not my call. I did what I was contracted to do and love, as headline performer, of my sold-out concert.”
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, 2023She really wants Babyface to speak up.
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
But don’t forget – she is the headliner and Babyface is the support act. DON’T YOU FORGET IT.
#AnitaBaker https://t.co/Nig5TVAvIi
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023Also, there’s a racist agenda against her? That’s some twisty logic, but who knows?
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
Baker’s next concert is June 30 in Chicago, Il. at United Center. So far, Babyface is listed as the supporting act. We’ll let you know if that changes.
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