Update: Babyface Speaks Out After Anita Baker Removed Him From Her Tour Over Claims Of Cyber Bullying From His Fans

Anita Baker, Babyface

Update: Babyface Speaks Out After Anita Baker Removed Him From Her Tour Over Claims Of Cyber Bullying From His Fans

Update: (Jun. 13, 2023): Babyface has confirmed he’s been removed from Anita Baker’s tour.

In a statement shared to his media accounts, the “When Can I See You” singer wrote,

“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.”

Babyface continued and expressed that despite being disappointed, he still has nothing but love for Anita Baker.

“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.”

Original story: (Jun. 13, 2023): Looks like it’s a wrap for Babyface opening up for Anita Baker on the remaining stops of her “Songstress Tour.”

According to soul singer/songwriter Anita Baker, she will proceed with her 2023 tour alone, without Babyface featured as a special guest. The “Songstress Tour,” which kicked off in February, has had its fair share of ups and downs between the two iconic singers.

Anita Baker

In a post shared today via Twitter (June 13), Anita Baker appeared to have had enough drama surrounding the tour, which was put together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her debut album, “The Songstress.”

Baker said that after enduring cyberbullying and verbal abuse from the fanbase of Babyface, she has decided to remove him from the tour for her “personal safety.” She wrote,

“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” 

In May during the musician’s joint tour stop in Newark, New Jersey, Babyface’s performance was reportedly cut. He was set to take the stage before Baker, however, a representative ultimately announced that he would no longer be opening the show for the soul mogul.

Babyface, Anita Baker

In a video captured by one of the concert attendees, you can hear fans booing the host who alleged the delay in the performances was due to “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

Babyface soon took to his Instagram to confirm the news that he was no longer performing. However, according to the 12-time Grammy Award winner, his absence didn’t have anything to do with tech issues. Babyface — real name Kenneth Brian Edmonds — wrote,

“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 y’all tonight.”

Following the incident at the New Jersey tour stop, Baker said in a series of tweets that Babyface’s fanbase has been bullying and threatening her online due to his opening set getting scrapped. The 65-year-old singer even publicly asked Babyface to help stop the online attacks.

On Monday (June 12) Baker took to Twitter to defend herself against Babyface’s fans and followers — who she referred to as “Kenny’s Crazies.” The Grammy-Award winner interacted with many fans in an attempt to clarify that Babyface was never a co-headliner of the tour, but instead a supporting act. She said,

“Dearest one. You are Not, privy to *The Contracts*. 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. He should tell you guys, the Truth”

Baker continued,

“As you can see… Some of his fans, are Not accepting of the Reality, that he is Contracted, as Special Guest/Support, on My Tour Some even want to hurt me…
Crazyyyy. Town.” 

The Detroit native then went on and urged the musician to “call off” his fans. In a direct tweet to Babyface, she said,

“Kenny’s Crazies are online Bullies. @Babyface Please call off, your fans. I have been Only Kind and Supportive, of You, as the Special Guest/Support, on My Tour”

In another tweet, Baker also seemingly hinted that Babyface is using the recent controversy to gain more publicity.

“#And, here is what its All about… P.R. for One Person, whi needs it. And, one person who does not #AnitaBaker”

While responding to a publication that reported the back-and-forth feud between herself and Babyface’s fans, Baker claimed she’s received threats from adult men. She added that Babyface has allegedly done nothing to help stop the demeaning treatment.

“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.”

Despite allegedly being threatened and harassed, it looks like Baker has no plans on backing down from her cyber bullies. She proclaimed,

“YES… Cyber Bullies, will not Silence me. I will continue to Speak!”

What are your thoughts on Anita Baker’s tweets? Comment below and let us know.

[Sources: 1, 2, 3]