Anita Baker is ducking for cover after she made the brash move of firing R&B icon Babyface from her tour, and she is now incurring the wrath of scores of his fans.
The multiplatinum-selling, multi-Grammy-winning Baker has long ago ascended to all-time great status via her illustrious portfolio of classic cuts. But this was insufficient to repel the intense hatred coming out of Newark, New Jersey, when Baker decided to cancel Babyface’s opening act performance on her “Songstress Tour” without notifying the paying public in advance.
A loud chorus of boos permeated the Jersey arena when a representative announced that Babyface would not perform, blaming the decision on technical difficulties.
🗣️Boooooooo @babyface #anitabaker refund everyone who came out, flights, hotels, rentals to see you and no show because of “technical difficulties” pic.twitter.com/RAyOfLJQC1
— Prettyuhmazing (@prettyuhmazing) May 11, 2023
The ferocity of the resulting online bullying, name-calling and threats against Baker in the aftermath of that decision convinced Baker to remove Babyface from the tour altogether. And that, in turn, invited even more venomous responses from fans.
Baker, 65, even got an unflattering narrative painted of her by a man of the cloth:
Hello demon🤣 'm right #AnitaBaker here. You Need, Followers, Dont cha🤣… lemne put you, on Blast right Quick. @Nice is My Friend. Luther made me my First Million. And, @Babyface's Contract was for My Special Guest/ Support Act❤️ And, we Treated, him like A King #AskHim https://t.co/mQb2eSs8yb
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
After silently dodging the online pellets, Baker fired back at fans.
#AnitaBaker https://t.co/NRk0ftGOeP
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
Babyface confirmed on Instagram that he was no longer a part of the “Songstress Tour,” admitting that he was crushed by Baker’s termination of him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtcU-P8SOa7/
Meanwhile, Baker went on the offensive for folks who continue to pollute her Twitter timeline with vulgarities and threats. She also took a subtle shot at Babyface for not calling off the overzealous fans.
This is What Haapens, When Grown Men/from @babyface Fan Base Threaten, You/A 65 yr old Woman & You ask him, to help Stop, the harrassment.
#AnitaBaker … being Harrased/Threatened, Is *The Real Headline*… But, Massa's Blogs, won't print that. https://t.co/NdNEBmqmNi— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
These trolls🤣… are *On Massa's payroll*. Creating Fake News/Slander & Harrassment. This is what, happens, when Boundaries & Blessings, Manifest into Beautiful Karma & Growth. #AnitaBaker
They wanna fight a 65 yr old Woman. pic.twitter.com/z8cwe50EXW— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
#And, here is what its All about… P.R. for One Person, whi needs it.
And, one person who does not🙌🏾#AnitaBaker https://t.co/lhPuMYvIYd— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
🤣A Hit Dog, will holla. Here comes, Massa, with The Reverse Racism Card… Annnd?… I can't Sing, either🤣 Successful, ANYway🙌🏾🎁🎈
Favor Aint Fare https://t.co/OOUXb7MRH7— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
YES🎉 … Cyber Bullies, will not Silence me. I will continue to Speak!
abxo🎼 https://t.co/4AQB2nmP0v— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 12, 2023
#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
#AnitaBaker
Bullies & Abuse will never Stop you.
Speak Up.
Overcome.
Thrive.
Move On🎉 pic.twitter.com/K2yhfJuqg3— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 13, 2023
Dear Friends & Fans, on My TL, who are being harrassed, by folk purporting to be, Babyface's fans. Block them & Rept the harrassment.
Do Not Engage, on my behalf.
I Love You❤️
ABXO🎼— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 14, 2023
