With Babyface supporters, Anita Baker is in hot water. The singer of “Body and Soul” spoke out on Twitter against the cyberbullying she is experiencing from Babyface’s fans, who are fans of the song “Every Time I Close My Eyes.”
In a tweet from June 12, Baker claimed that the poisonous Babyface supporters she called “Kenny’s Crazys” had threatened her and verbally abused her.
Babyface was supposed to open for Anita Baker as a side artist at her concert on May 10 at the Newark Prudential Centre, but was unable to do so owing to technical issues and a scheduling conflict. Baker begged Babyface to stop performing for his followers in a tweet that was quoted in response to a fan.
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
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Anita Baker made a subtle reference to Babyface in a tweet on June 6 without specifically identifying him. She uttered:
“What do you do when your pals assault a friend?Due to false information and misleading news And now is your chance to correct it or say something?
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
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 9, 2023
Detailing the Anita Baker and Babyface saga
When Anita Baker revealed Babyface as a surprise side performance on her 15-city “Songstress” tour, the whole debate got started. On May 10, Babyface was scheduled to perform as her opener at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey. Unfortunately, he was unable to play his set because of a delayed start brought on by technical issues.
Babyface, whose full name is Kenneth Brian Edmonds, addressed the situation on Twitter and said that his performance was cut short so that Baker could give the entire concert. He stated:
I was asked not to perform so that Ms. Baker would have time and room to present her presentation completely.
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, 2023
On May 11, Babyface confirmed the situation by telling People magazine that his set was destroyed because the video wall couldn’t be made to function. He stated:
“Despite how powerful technology is today, we are occasionally at its whim. Unfortunately, the video wall wasn’t operating that day, and time wasn’t on our side.
He added that he and Anita Baker had no animosity towards one another.
“I sincerely apologise to Anita’s supporters and respect and love her to pieces.”
Anita was apparently hounded by fans who were still angry at the cancellation of the show. Eventually, she responded to a supporter who called her out in a June 6 Quote retweet. She explained in a subsequent tweet on June 12 that she just fulfilled her contractual obligations.
Dear Sir,
Live Nation, took Full responsibility.
I Went on My Stage, at the appropriate time. Did my job without benefit of full production.
I have Never, been in Concert, with my Friend Maxwell
I *Did, my Job/Lifelong Profession.
Your public statements are false. https://t.co/A9Dh50gJDN
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 6, 2023
It was 9:30pm.
*Contractually?…
It was WAAAY Past time 4 the Headline Performer, to be On Stage/Anita Baker
Support Act ❤️did Not Perform.
I have No Contract with Support Act❤️Not my Call
I Did what i was *Contracted 2 do & Love, as Headline Performer, of my Sold Out Concert pic.twitter.com/es6PJGNOmz
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 11, 2023
Anita clarified that Babyface was actually a support act for her show after several users took issue with her mention of him as such. She said that erroneous claims that Babyface was a co-headliner were provoking hostility towards her from his supporters.
With all respect did you call THE baby face a support act lmao https://t.co/m0yerTtYwO
— K.Bridges (@nordstromsnsaks) June 11, 2023
Dearest one. You are Not, privy to *The Contracts*. Yes, Babyface is Special Guest❤️/Support Act, on My Tour. This False Narrative, of A Co-headliner is creating Unrealistic Expectations & Aggression, from his fans towards me. He should tell you guys, the Truth https://t.co/avBuMPO60b pic.twitter.com/oOeSVfg7DZ
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Baker discussed how Babyface followers were not accepting of the fact that Babyface was a special guest on her tour and how some fans even threatened to harm her in another tweet the same day.
As you can see… 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. pic.twitter.com/RlqpkRuGYk
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
She claimed that a “white man” was to blame for the harassment she was experiencing in another cited reply tweet to a supportive follower, and implored Babyface to call off his boys. She uttered:
“There is a White dude harassing me and gaslighting my fans from behind these grown Black men. Because this tour, he can’t take control.
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
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Baker claimed that industry bloggers were pressuring her into “fearful silence” in yet another tweet.
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, 2023
On the same day, Baker had earlier indicated in a different tweet that all she wished for was for her international reputation to be restored.
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
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 11, 2023
Anita Baker travels alone
Anita Baker formally declared on Twitter that she is going solo for the balance of her tour in the most recent development of the Twitter saga. She remarked:
“For the sake of your own safety. The Songstress Tour will continue on its own, just me. Refunds will be issued in a timely manner.
#AnitaBaker After Silently, Enduring Cyber Bulling/Verbal Abuse & Threats of Violence from the Fan Base, of Our Special Guest❤️/Support Act. In the Interest of Personal Safety. I will continue, The Songstress Tour, alone. Appropriate refunds will be made.
Blessings🎁
ABXO🎼 pic.twitter.com/P7OzVdiEPm
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 13, 2023
Babyface, who was last seen giving a Tiny Desk Concert in support of NPR Music for black history month, has not yet responded to the hatred Anita Baker has received on social media.