Anita Baker is defending herself in a debate that has broken out internet about Babyface’s shortened opening set at a May performance of her “Songstress Tour.” As a result of Babyface’s supporters harassing and threatening her online, Baker has gone so far as to publicly implore him to control his fan base.
This all originates from Babyface’s appearance as a surprise guest on Baker’s 15-city tour, which got underway earlier this February, to provide some (much-needed) context. He was supposed to begin her New Jersey concert on May 10, but after failing to show up at the Prudential Centre, he went to social media. He said in a tweet that because of technical difficulties, his act had to be cut short so that headliner Baker could perform.
Check Anita Baker’s 1st tweet
“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,” Babyface wrote on Twitter that night. “My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.”
Since then, according to a lengthy series of tweets from Baker, she has had to deal with hostility from his fan base. On June 9, Baker tweeted about Babyface’s silence in the situation.
Check Anita Baker’s 2nd tweet
“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? Reputation, Peace & Safety Matters.”
In a tweet written on Monday, Baker suggested that Babyface “call off” his boys to his followers, whom she has branded “Kenny’s Crazies” (on Twitter, this is done by adding a “@” sign before a name). Baker attempted to clarify that Babyface was a supporting act on her tour in her responses to various fans.
“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,” she wrote. “He should tell you guys, the Truth.”
Many audience members believed Babyface was co-headlining the tour and believed his absence was due to a choice made by the Detroit diva. Despite the fact that Baker is the only artist on the tour, which continues through December, other concertgoers who had tickets vented their frustrations at Ticketmaster and Baker.
