Grammys 2021: Beyoncé makes history with number of awards
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Beyonce, 40, will re-record her track Heated and remove an offensive lyric which has been described as an ableist slur. The song, which features on Beyonce’s new album Renaissance, included a disparaging term to describe the condition spastic cerebral palsy.
The derogatory word, which can have different connotations in the US, is used twice towards the end of the track which was co-written by Beyonce and Drake.
Following the song’s release on Friday, it sparked anger among disability campaigners and charity Scope asked Beyonce to re-record the song and remove the term.
The charity’s media manager, Warren Kirwan, said in a statement: “Words matter because they reinforce the negative attitudes disabled people face every day.
“Beyonce has long been a champion of inclusivity and equality, so we would urge her to remove this offensive lyric.”
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Disability advocate, Hannah Diviney, also told BBC that hearing the track felt like a “slap in the face”.
She said: “I’m tired and frustrated that we are having this conversation again so soon after we got such a meaningful and progressive response from Lizzo.”
On Monday, Beyonce’s publicist confirmed to the aforementioned publication that she will “replace the lyrics” in a new version of the song.
They also added that the term was “not used intentionally in a harmful way”.
Scope’s Mr Kirwan has since responded in a follow-up statement in which he said “it’s good” that the Grammy winner “acted so swiftly” after disabled people had to call out the derogatory term “yet again”.
He added: “There’s a feeling of deja vu as it’s just a few weeks since Lizzo also had to re-release a song after featuring the same offensive language.
“We hope this is the last time we see this kind of thing from anyone, let alone musicians with massive global influence.”
Last month, Lizzo suffered similar criticism after the slur was included in her track Grrrls.
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She too has re-recorded the song and was forced to apologise for her use of the slur.
The Good As Hell singer said: “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.
“As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally).
“I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action.
“As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world.”
Beyonce’s new album, Renaissance was released on Friday and became Spotify’s most streamed album in a single day.
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