As previously reported by HOT 97, a series of troubling allegations were filed against Lizzo. The singer allegedly sexually, racially, and religiously harassed her dancers, making it a super antagonizing environment for work.
While Beyoncé was on her Renaissance Tour in Foxborough, Massachusetts, due to the recent allegations, she performed her song “Break My Soul (Queens Remix)” and left the Lizzo shoutout absent. Despite Bey’s performance, reportedly, the singer went back to using Lizzo’s shoutout regardless of the recent controversy.
On Saturday (August 5), Bey performed in Washington, D.C., at the FedExField, where she brought the Lizzo vaunt back but peculiarly omitted Erykah Badu’s name from the song. Decked in glitz, Beyoncé skips Badu and embraces Lizzo: “Lizzo, Kelly Rowl’ (You know you can do it)/ Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, Toni, Janet, Tierra Whack.”
Compared to last week’s show, Beyoncé flips the script here.
After the show, Badu then compared herself to Beyoncé on Instagram: “Hmm. I guess I’m everyone’s stylist. My favorite chrome mirror hat.”
The motive behind Beyoncé’s frequent mention and subsequent disregard of Badu on “Break My Soul (Queens Remix)” remains ambiguous, just like her sudden shift in attitude towards Lizzo’s plaudit. Beyoncé’s recent exclusion of Lizzo stirred speculation, with some assuming it was a sign of distancing.
However, Queen Bey’s mother, Tina Knowles, swiftly silenced those claims on social media last week.