The Queen Bey paid homage to the legendary Tina Turner during her “Renaissance” world tour, delivering a heartfelt performance of “River Deep, Mountain High” in London.
Sporting an electric blue jumpsuit with a dramatic sheer train, Beyoncé captivated the sold-out crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with her powerful rendition of the 1996 hit.
The tribute comes in the wake of criticism directed at Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, for their previous lyrics that some deemed mocking of Tina Turner’s history of abuse at the hands of ex-husband Ike Turner.
In their 2013 hit “Drunk In Love,” Jay-Z raps, “Beat the box up, like Mike in ’97, I bite / I’m Ike Turner, turn up baby, no, I don’t play / Baby, no, I don’t play, now eat the cake, Anna Mae / Said eat the cake, Anna Mae!”
Upon learning of Tina Turner’s passing, fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the couple’s past lyrics, accusing them of trivializing her traumatic experiences.
The controversial line referencing “eat the cake, Anna Mae” was seen as a direct reference to a dispute between Ike and Tina over a pastry.
Despite the controversy, Beyoncé took a moment during her Paris tour stop to express her gratitude for Tina Turner’s influence on her own career, stating, “If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner because I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner.”
“If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner. I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner. I want you guys to scream so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was alive to witness her brilliance.”
Beyoncé on Tina Turner in Paris. #RENAISSANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/7mhikREwxC
— RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR (@RenaissanceWT) May 27, 2023
Beyoncé paying tribute to the late Tina Turner with a stunning cover of “River Deep, Mountain High” in #London ??
? https://t.co/gQt79tzDm6 #RWT2023 ? pic.twitter.com/jAMgiMqn8y
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) May 30, 2023
Related Story: Tina Turner Planned Her Funeral Years In Advance To Outdo Aretha Franklin
Tina Turner, known as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, passed away on May 24 at the age of 83. Her representative had previously revealed that she had been battling a long illness, but further details were not disclosed.
As Beyoncé’s tribute to Tina Turner resonates with fans worldwide, the focus remains on celebrating the indelible legacy of the music icon.
