The world is still reeling from the sonic and visual onslaught of Beyoncé's sixth studio album Lemonade. While the coverage has been overwhelmingly positive, the project hasn't received rave reviews from everyone.
Rapper Azealia Banks took to her Twitter account to air her frustrations about the project. Banks says the album regurgitates old, harmful tropes about "heartbroken" Black women.
This heartbroken black female narrative you keep trying to push is the Antithesis of what feminism is— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
You been singing about this nigga for years and he still playing you. That's not strength that's stupidity— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
And it's not what the national black women's conversation needs right now. More pain more suffering in the face of a man— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
You keep crying over a man and perpetuating that sad black female sufferance and it's Not good for what we're trying to accomplish here— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
Just six months ago you told every black girl in the industry to "bow down" now you want to stick up for black folk lol— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
I've yet to hear Beyoncé speak on these issues.— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
She made a song about big noses and hot sauce then put up a tour charging $1300 to ppl she knows damn sure can't afford that— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
I want to hear her speak, to make sure it's real.— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
The oshun tribute was cute, very cute. But you were just trying to be Americas most convincing white woman, what happened ?— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
But, ultimately, it seems Banks is upset that Queen Bey stole parts of the narrative and imagery she used in Lemonade from her. Azealia has long been open about her practice of West African spiritualities.
Queens are supposed to lead, they don't step on the spirits of the girls who come after them then to just try and take that same spirit— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
And seem as if they came up with all the ideas on their own. THATS when u get the evil eye on you— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
You can't sell your soul then try to get it back LOL. That's not how it works— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 25, 2016
Because she's not a "sister" she's a poacher. She's a thief. Sisters don't steal, sisters share. https://t.co/2SkMnUygpz— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
I've been pumping African traditional religions/witchcraft for a LONG time. She was just singing "Jesus say yes" ... https://t.co/zg8m7nKyua— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
You trying to embody oshun as a prop for ur personal gain. Let us see you. Show us ur tools and ur soperas ur prendas whatever. I need to c— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 26, 2016
These comments are a far cry from her previous thoughts about the visual album. Just after it aired, her praise was effusive.
Lemonade is amAZING . I need to repent. This is sooooo good omg. EXACTLY WHAT pop culture needed— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 24, 2016
Ugh looking at this just makes me feel so powerful and BLACK AND evil CHOLA WENGUE AND OSHUN NEEDS TO BE FED RIGHT NOW— BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) April 24, 2016
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