At the Gillette Stadium on Tuesday (Aug. 1) night, Beyoncé delivered a mesmerizing performance as part of her ongoing “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR.” During the show, she seemed to send subtle messages related to recent controversies involving R&B singer Erykah Badu and pop sensation Lizzo.
In a video shared by Pop Base, Beyoncé modified the lyrics of her track “BREAK MY SOUL (THE QUEENS REMIX)” during the Massachusetts concert. Originally mentioning “Badu, Lizzo, Kelly Rowl’,” Lizzo’s name was noticeably absent that night, replaced by repeated references to Badu: “Badu, Badu, Badu, Badu.”
This lyrical adjustment came after Badu suggested that Beyoncé copied her style. Badu had earlier posted a comparison of their outfits on her Instagram Stories, highlighting Beyoncé wearing a shiny mirror-like hat similar to Badu’s iconic headgear. Accompanying the images, Badu playfully wrote, “Hmm. I guess I’m everyone’s stylist. My favorite chrome mirror hat.”
While Beyoncé’s multiple references to Badu during her performance sparked speculation, they can be interpreted in different ways. It could be seen as a response to Badu’s accusation of style imitation, or it might simply be an acknowledgment of Badu’s influence.
Interestingly, Beyoncé refrained from mentioning Lizzo’s name during the show. Currently, Lizzo is facing a lawsuit from three former dancers, as reported by NBC News. The plaintiffs have accused Lizzo, her tour company Big Grrrl Big Touring, and dance captain Shirlene Quigley of creating a hostile work environment, including incidents of fat-shaming and sexual harassment.
One of the plaintiffs, Arianna Davis, claimed that after a performance at SXSW, she was told by Lizzo and her choreographer that she appeared “less committed” to her role, which she interpreted as a veiled criticism of her weight.
Furthermore, the dancers accused Lizzo of pressuring them to engage inappropriately with a nude performer at an Amsterdam club. They also accused the dance captain of religious harassment and inappropriate sexual discussions.
As of now, Lizzo has not publicly addressed these claims. Beyoncé’s lyrical change, whether coincidental or a subtle commentary on current events, has added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing lawsuit.
