Tina Turner fans have slammed Beyonce and Jay-Z for the reference to the legend's past of domestic abuse by ex-husband Ike.
On May 24, the world bid farewell to the legendary musician Tina Turner, also known as Anna Mae Bullock, who passed away in her Switzerland home after a prolonged battle with kidney issues. As fans mourned her loss and explored her enduring legacy, attention was drawn to an unsettling aspect of her life: the mocking and trivialization of her past experiences.
Tina Turner's turbulent relationship with Ike
Tina Turner, hailed the Queen of Rock n Roll, captivated audiences with her electrifying performances and soulful voice. While Tina's musical career was undeniably influential and garnered numerous accolades, including an astounding twelve Grammy Awards, her personal life was marked by instability, particularly her tumultuous relationship with first husband, Ike Turner.
According to The Guardian, Ike subjected Tina to various forms of abuse, including physically striking her with a wooden shoe stretcher. Infidelity was also a recurring issue in their relationship, causing immense pain and heartbreak for Tina.
Tina Turner and Ike Turner's partnership came to an end in 1976 when Tina made the courageous decision to leave Ike due to the ongoing abuse she endured in their relationship. After their separation, Tina embarked on a solo career and eventually achieved tremendous success and recognition as a solo artist.
Beyonce and Jay Z's mocking reference to Tina
As fans reminisce about her life and impact, the spotlight has shifted to a controversial incident involving Beyonce and Jay-Z's 2013 song Drunk in Love. The song's lyrics, specifically the reference to 'Eat the cake, Anna Mae,' have sparked criticism from fans who believe it mocks and trivializes Turner's experience of domestic abuse.
In Jay-Z's rap verse, he says: 'I'm Ike Turner, turn up baby, no, I don't play. Now eat the cake, Anna Mae said, 'Eat the cake, Anna Mae.'
These lines referred to a well-known incident where Ike, still using the name Anna Mae, forced Tina to eat cake during an argument at a diner. This scene was depicted in the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do With It, where Tina, played by Angela Bassett, and Ike, portrayed by Lawrence Fishburne, engage in a physical altercation, with Ike coercing Tina to eat the cake he ordered.
Following Tina's passing, the biggest names in Hollywood have offered their condolences on social media, including Beyonce. While Beyonce paid tribute to the late icon on her website, expressing love, gratitude, and admiration for Tina's inspiring legacy, fans voiced their criticism of the couple for seemingly trivializing Tina Turner's traumatic experiences.
On Twitter, one user expressed disdain for treating abuse as a joke, while another condemned the lyrics as 'disrespectful and horrific.'
Another wrote: 'I still can't get over Jay Z saying 'eat the cake Anna Mae, eat the cake' on 'Drunk In Love'. When I found out that it was reference to Ike forcing Tina to eat literal cake..a damn shame...'
This video makes it even more disappointing that Jay Z disrespected Tina Turner & made light of her abuse on Drunk in Love. They both should’ve known better than that. https://t.co/Xeri79318v
— His Silly Rabbit ✨ (@tsvarakad3nga) May 24, 2023
Tina's reaction to the mockery
According to Bored Panda, the scrutiny faced by Drunk in Love is not new. When the song was released, an edited version had to be made for British radio due to its content. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Tina was asked about the song, and she responded with apparent disappointment, saying, 'Yeah, I'm not surprised.'
Read more:
⋙ Tina Turner's second husband made incredible organ sacrifice to save her life in 2017
