Anita Baker wants to set the record straight when it comes to her business relationships and rumored feuds. The 65-year-old went to Twitter on Tuesday to address the alleged conflict she recently had with Babyface. Baker, who has been facing backlash since May for allegedly blocking Babyface from opening for her at the Songstress Tour in Newark, New Jersey, replied to people who continue to blame her for how the situation unfolded at the concert.
“Dear Sir, Live Nation, took Full responsibility,” Baker said in response to one person’s tweet. “I Went on My Stage, at the appropriate time. Did my job without benefit of full production.”
Dear Sir,
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 6, 2023
Live Nation, took Full responsibility.
I Went on My Stage, at the appropriate time. Did my job without benefit of full production.
I have Never, been in Concert, with my Friend Maxwell
I *Did, my Job/Lifelong Profession.
Your public statements are false. https://t.co/A9Dh50gJDN
Baker also denounced the longtime rumors about her beef with R&B singer-songwriter Maxwell, as well as legendary artist Luther Vandross.
“I have Never, been in Concert, with my Friend Maxwell I *Did, my Job/Lifelong Profession. Your public statements are false,” Baker said in response to the person who accused of her slighting Vandross and Maxwell in the past.
Responding to her alleged feud with Vandross, a rumor which has been going on since the 1980s according to That Grape Juice, Baker said the pair have worked well together for a long time.
“Dear Ma’am. Mr. Vandross & I were one of the Most Successful R&B/Pop, Sold Out, Arena Concert Tours, of its Time,” Baker wrote. “We Created Joy, Jobs & Commerce for Our Community. As, Successful Business Partners often do? We had disagreements. We also, had Joy *Balance abxo.”
Dear Ma'am.
Mr. Vandross & I were one of the Most Successful R&B/Pop, Sold Out, Arena Concert Tours, of its Time. We Created Joy, Jobs & Commerce for Our Community. As, Successful Business Partners often do? We had disagreements. We also, had Joy🌞
*Balance
abxo🎼 https://t.co/iIMIa7qzpt— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 6, 2023
Dozens of fans were disappointed in May when they learned that Babyface, who was supposed to be the opening act for Baker’s tour, wasn’t going to perform after all. Babyface addressed the situation on Twitter a short time later, as Blavity previously reported.
“I am truly sorry to my fans who have been waiting for us to hit the stage this evening at @PruCenter,” he tweeted. “I was asked not to perform in order to give Ms. Baker her space and time to perform her show in its entirety. My band and I are extremely saddened we didn’t get to perform for y’all tonight.”
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. My band and I are extremely saddened we didn't get to perform for…
— Babyface (@babyface) May 11, 2023
Fans then unleashed their fury at Baker, blaming her for spoiling Babyface’s performance. Babyface later spoke with TMZ to clarify that he wasn’t trying to blame Baker.
“I would never shade Anita Baker. I have too much love and respect for her, and I look forward to continuing the tour. I was just reiterating what the stage hand was saying following all of the tech difficulties,” he told TMZ.