When it comes to Black mainstream female singers, there’s no denying that fact that Rihanna and Beyoncé are holding court at the top of pack with their global popularity and charting-topping albums and hits. Unfortunately, like with most other industries, the idea of two Black women sharing the top spot seems somehow unreasonable and many fans and tabloids have pitted them against each other over the years. But are the two women really at odds or are they just caught up in a wicked game that wants them to tear each other down? Well, Rihanna’s finally speaking up on the matter and explaining how she feels about Bey.
As most fans of the artists know, the alleged beef between them has been tabloid fodder for years, starting with the rumor that Bey’s husband, Jay Z, was once having an affair with Rihanna when he first signed her to his label. Although Rihanna’s ex-publicist admitted last year that he made up the rumor for publicity, other rumors have popped up about the two beefing.
Most recently, fans online drummed up suspicion that Bey tried to dim Rihanna’s shine by releasing her viral “Formation” video just a few days after Rihanna’s latest album, ANTi, both simultaneously leaked and was officially released online.
With so much speculation about an alleged rivalry, it could be hard for some fans not to assume that there’s some tension between Bey and Rihanna. But according to media reports, Rihanna recently spoke about the alleged rivalry and explained, despite what her fans or Bey’s fans say, she feels no need or desire to try to compete with Bey.
“Here’s the deal,” she said. “They just get so excited to feast on something that’s negative. Something that’s competitive. Something that’s, you know, a rivalry. And that’s just not what I wake up to. Because I can only do me. And nobody else is going to be able to do that.”
Considering how these two women have been able to create their own success, style and influence without having to tear each other down, we’re not surprised that Rihanna doesn’t feel threatened by Bey. And we doubt that Bey feels any differently. In reality, there really is enough room for multiople queens at the top, and we’re glad that these two women know that.
