When it was announced last November that Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds would be joining Anita Baker as a special guest on The Songstress Tour this year, music fans rejoiced at the prospect of seeing two living legends on one bill. Unfortunately, even the best-laid tour plans go awry, and Baker has now removed Babyface from the remainder of the tour due to online harassment from his fanbase according to the diva.
The Songstress Tour started off without a hitch in February, but things took a sharp left with the May 10th date. That night, Babyface was scheduled to open for Anita at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, but he did not perform – apparently by request.
“I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety,” he shared on his socials. “My band and I are extremely saddened we didn't get to perform for y'all tonight.”
Fans who attended the concert just to see him were naturally pissed off and took to social media to share their displeasure, which in turn raised the ire of his online fanbase and thirsty trolls. After initially not giving a reason, Babyface confirmed to PEOPLE the very next day that he didn’t perform due to technical difficulties with a video wall that was a part of his set. By that time, however, the damage had been done, and Anita Baker ended up being the target of most of the outrage.
Ms. Baker does not suffer fools, though. The icon, who is only active on Twitter, has been clapping back at detractors – who she dubbed “Kenny’s Crazies” – for weeks while the tour has been on hiatus. She’s been very vocal about wanting Babyface to tell his fans to fall back and leave her alone, but that request was not met. Auntie Anita had it up to here, and matters escalated this week with this stunning announcement.
“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,” she tweeted of the decision to give Babyface the boot from the tour.
As news spread of his dismissal, Babyface finally said something, partially addressing the decision and drama. “I am saddened by the news that Anita Baker has decided to remove me from ‘The Songstress Tour.’ It’s unfortunate and disheartening to see how things have played out via social media,” he wrote in a message posted across his socials. “While I was looking forward to the rest of the dates, I have nothing but love & respect for Anita and I wish her the best for the remainder of her tour.”
- Advertisement -Wow. R&Beef between Anita Baker and Babyface and his fans wasn’t on our bingo card for 2023, yet here we are, and during Black Music Month at that.
- Advertisement -What was supposed to be a 40th-anniversary musical celebration of Anita Baker’s debut album has been marred by toxic fans and cyberbullying. Disliking or disagreeing with Baker is one thing but disrespecting the songstress and coming for the queen is another. Though Anita has made it clear that she isn’t the one, the two or the three when it comes to online drama, this whole situation is messy and sadly far from resolved we fear.
Nonetheless, the show must go on. Anita Baker’s The Songstress Tour resumes on Friday, June 30th in Chicago before coasting into the second half of 2023 with its remaining dates through Saturday, December 23rd in Oakland.
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