Fans On Twitter Slam Jay-Z And Beyonce For Making Light Of Ike And Tina Turner’s Abusive Relationship
As most of you know, music legend Tina Turner passed away inside her home in Switzerland on Wednesday, May 24. She had apparently been battling an illness for many months. She was 83-years-old.
Obviously, the tributes poured in on social media. Tina was one of the best to ever do it. One of the artists who paid tribute was Beyonce, who posted a brief statement on her website, calling Tina a “beloved queen.”
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. 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.
But when Bey’s statement was released, fans on Twitter were quick to remind everyone of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s hit 2013 track, Drunk In Love.
In the song, 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 Tina over a pastry. The moment was referenced in this scene from the movie, What’s Love Got to Do With It.
Tina reportedly endured 16 years of physical abuse from Ike, and at one point she attempted suicide, so it’s a little messed up to joke about it so casually in a track.
And this is why Twitter is mad all over again at Jay-Z and Beyonce.
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…
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) May 24, 2023
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.
Tina said she ‘wasn’t surprised’ Jay-Z had compared himself to Ike 👀 pic.twitter.com/OoTA5p305L
— Dr. Jessica Taylor (@DrJessTaylor) May 24, 2023
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”.
— DJ Buddy Bravo (@DJBuddyBravo) May 24, 2023
I mean, it does seem like an odd thing to joke about, but at the same time, rap tracks do that sh*t all the time. They’re simply trying to be clever or controversial.
Also, you all know you had this song playing on repeat when it came out. Don’t act all innocent now.
