Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, Act ii aka, “Cowboy Carter,” has seemingly ruffled a few feathers. During a Verizon Super Bowl commercial, the queen announced the album in February 2024. Since the announcement, fans have been begging for more details. On March 20, 2024, The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer revealed one of the album covers of “Cowboy Carter.” In a slew of social media posts, Erykah Badu accuses Beyoncé of stealing her style.
Beyoncé is known to provide multiple covers for her albums. She revealed the standard cover art on March 19, 2024. The photograph features her sitting on a horse, wearing cowboy gear and a sash with the album’s title, “Cowboy Carter.” Exactly one day later, the mother of three released the cover art for the limited-edition vinyl cover.
On the cover art, Beyoncé is pictured mostly nude, with a sash and long braids. The hairstyle maintains a bang with beads to reflect the history of braids in the African-American diaspora. The Beyhive immediately fell in love with cover art, but not everyone is a fan.
Erykah Badu wants Jay-Z to intervene after she accuses Beyoncé of stealing her style.
Moments after Beyoncé posted the limited edition vinyl cover art for her “Cowboy Carter,” Erykah Badu took to social media to express her disdain. The neo-soul singer reposted the cover art to her Instagram story with the caption, “Hmmm.”
She took her sentiments to X and said, “To Jay Z. Say something, Jay. You gone let this woman and these bees do this to me?”
Initially, fans were confused. Some even thought it might be an inside joke between Badu, Beyoncé, and Jay Z. Badu never explicitly stated what about the cover art was thought-provoking. Still, fans assumed it had something to do with Beyoncé’s hair in the photo. The “On and On” singer has sported braids and beads throughout her career.
As usual, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have remained quiet. However, Beyoncé’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, was unwilling to let Badu go unaddressed. Noel-Schure posted a video to Instagram showcasing how often her client has worn braids.
Badu has not made any further statements.
Is Erykah Badu involved in a one-sided beef?
The “Cowboy Carter” cover art is not the first time Erykah Badu has accused Beyoncé of emulating her style choices. In July 2023, while on tour, Beyoncé sported a large metallic-brimmed hat. Badu then posted a picture of herself wearing a hat of the same style with the caption, “Hmmm, I guess I’m everybody’s stylist,” per The Daily Beast.
The post came after Badu commented on Beyoncé’s post, “I’m flattered.” The 53-year-old has been known to wear the hats often, but as fans pointed out, so has Beyoncé. The “16 Carriages” singer has been wearing cowboy hats since her Destiny’s Child days. She began sporting the wide-brimmed hats in 2016 when she released “Formation” and the subsequent video.
Beyoncé did not make a public statement regarding Badu’s hat critiques but made sure to shout her out many times during her Renaissance World Tour.
Both women are legends in their own right, as they served the culture with their music. While they have never worked together, Beyoncé greatly respects Badu. So fans hope that Badu can let her sentiments go.
Why do you think Erykah Badu accuses Beyoncé of stealing her style so often? Let us know in the comments below.
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