5/30 Update: A representative for Cheryl Lynn contacted Billboard with the following information: “Cheryl Lynn does not have a Twitter or Facebook account. The individual sending the communications is an imposter pretending to be Cheryl Lynn. Twitter has been made aware of this situation several times over the last two years.” In short, this beef was never cooking.
The realm of Twitter and Instagram beef has become de rigueur for rappers, pop singers, and athletes looking to express their righteous indignation (and maybe publicize an album or new song in the meantime). Classic R&B singers, though, are less known for their provocative social media presence — until today, that is.
Anita Baker Is Back With a Hit and a Plan for Covers Album
Anita Baker and Cheryl Lynn (best known for her single “Got To Be Real,” featured prominently in the classic documentary Paris Is Burning) got into it today on the old timeline after Lynn (6,606 followers at press time) realized Baker (362,000 followers at press time) had blocked her:
@IAMANITABAKER Really girl, I thought we were cool. I guess I should’ve known something was up when you ignored me pic.twitter.com/iLsGqcAZNj
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
Things quickly got very real:
@IAMANITABAKER What did I ever do to you? Oh, I get it probably cuz I will sing you down on the stage is that it?
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
@IAMANITABAKER ive been nothing but sweet to you, and I get blocked. I thought we were good. Its crazy how your truly colors came out.
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
@IAMANITABAKER I will always respect your artistry, you’re truly one of the best to ever do it. I still have love for you. Xo
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
@IAMANITABAKER We’re too OLD to be petty, just call me and we can settle this like adults. Ppl look up to us. We’re OG’S in this biz.
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
Anita Baker Countersues Home Improvement Firm
Then, the clarification:
Just to clear things up there’s no beef between me and Anita. I just needed answers that she wasn’t giving this was the only way. #AllLove
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
To have someone say their your friend and then to one day call them and not have them call you or hate on you for no reason is SAD.
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
Then, more sick burns:
We’ve been friends since 1980 before you had an album out, and we were always sweet to one another I wonder what changed. Voice maybe ?
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
The two divas then proved that they were sipping tea before it was a meme with these tweets:
Coffee Cups UP… Raise’em and PRAISE Him! ?… Dont let the world Change ya Mind ABXO pic.twitter.com/A1FDjFH7dn
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) May 28, 2015
In honor of you Anita, coffee cups up. Xo pic.twitter.com/tnjoklgAyO
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
The subtweeting game was just masterful:
They love 2 call ur name/stand in ur light…& its not even ur light. Call HIS name…the light is HIS & there’s enough for ALL #Namaste
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) May 28, 2015
Love does not Insist/Force itself upon you…
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) May 28, 2015
@LadyJHOLLIDAY @IAMANITABAKER Thank you for the words of wisdom my sister. Its greatly, appreciated you’ve always been a GREAT FRIEND.
— Cheryl Lynn (@itscheryllynn) May 28, 2015
Then came a retweet that hinted at why the whole back and forth might have started in the first place:
R&B Diva @ItsCherylLynn To Release ‘Duets With Divas’ Album http://t.co/Iv4DD1uOom pic.twitter.com/h3vTUmGzZu
— CENTRIC TV (@CENTRICTV) May 28, 2015