Erykah Badu Pleaded For Jay-Z To "Say Somethin" After She Was Dragged — And I Mean, Dragged — By The Beyhive For Criticizing Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Artwork
Erykah Badu is the latest celeb to feel the sting of the Beyhive after she made a shady post about Beyoncé's new album art.
In case you missed it, yesterday, Beyoncé released an alternative cover for her upcoming album Cowboy Carter. In it, she poses nude with an "act ii BEYINCÉ" sash wrapped around her body with her hair in beaded braids and bangs.
Yes, "Beyincé" — it's her mother Tina Knowles's birth name.
Erykah seemed to think the hairstyle closely resembled one she'd worn before because she reposted the image alongside a very shady "Hmmm."
And she immediately got called out on it.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person called Erykah "such a hater." "Beyoncé has worn braids since the beginning of her career," they noted, adding, "Erykah does not own braids. As long as that hairstyle has been in the black community and you feel that someone wants to copy you? Sit down !!! If you’re jealous just say that."
Erykah Badu is such a hater. Beyoncé has worn braids since the beginning of her career. Erykah does not own braids. As long as that hairstyle has been in the black community and you feel that someone wants to copy you ? Sit down !!! If you’re jealous just say that. pic.twitter.com/hsWhsxqYLc
— Sarah Nicole 💋💄🌹🐝 (@miss_flawless4) March 21, 2024
"Like a bitch can’t wear a top hat, can’t wear some beads, can’t light an incense without Erykah Badu’s ass being shady with a 'hmm' or acting like she’s always The Source," another fan agreed.
Like a bitch can’t wear a top hat, can’t wear some beads, can’t light an incense without Erykah Badu’s ass being shady with a “hmm” or acting like she’s always The Source. pic.twitter.com/YQpXPSHwSg
— Miss Frizzle (@OhHaiBae) March 20, 2024
NBC / Twitter: @OhHaiBae
A third fan said they "seriously need Erykah Badu to have several window seats and get the fuck over it."
I seriously need Erykah Badu to have several window seats and get the fuck over it. This one-sided beef is so weird and she's entirely too old for this shit. pic.twitter.com/gwEJTNkyVV
— XO, ANTY (@XOANTY) March 20, 2024
HULU / Twitter: @XOANTY
While another called her "weird af."
What is erykah Badu problem when it comes to Beyoncé she’s weird af
— ᴊᴀʏ ♈︎ ⚜️ (@Jaymalone_____) March 20, 2024
Erykah Badu is always unnecessarily weird when it comes to Beyoncé. Especially being from a city so close to Houston. You would think she would root for her Texas sister. But it’s alright. pic.twitter.com/FG3z3Udo3i
— 3/5 🎈♓️ (@itsKARY_) March 20, 2024
VH1 / Twitter: @itsKARY_
If Erykah Badu don’t sit her tired ass down somewhere. Bitch you are not the first person to wear braids like that 😒 pic.twitter.com/zPGDIj99lT
— NOT TODAY NECK! (@Freexone_) March 20, 2024
Bravo / Twitter: @Freexone_
Erykah Badu anytime Beyoncé breathes: pic.twitter.com/W4Cy52ccqK
— muva.✨ (@kayyvella) March 20, 2024
The Breakfast Club / Twitter: @kayyvella
After backlash, Erykah took to X, pleading for Jay-Z — of all people LOL — to "say somethin" to call off the Hive. "You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me ??" she added alongside a laughing emoji.
To Jay Z . Say somethin Jay . You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me ?? 😆 pic.twitter.com/oxNhNgvfWp
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) March 20, 2024
Although he didn't publicly respond to her, Bey's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, appears to have. She shared a collage on Instagram of Beyoncé in different hairstyles over the years, including braided bangs, showing she's definitely not new to this.
Yvette also wrote, "She slays. She slays. Now. Then. Always," before seemingly throwing more shade with the hashtag "#criticswithoutcredentials."
That's that on that! Anyway, be sure to stream Cowboy Carter. It's a Beyoncé album — not a country album — and it'll be available on March 29.