Tina Turner fans have criticized Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the reference to the late singer's abuse in their 2013 song 'Drunk In Love'.
The legendary musician - whose real name was Anna Mae Bullock - passed away on Wednesday (May 24) at the age of 83 in her Switzerland home, following an unspecified illness.
The award-winning singer had classic hits like 'The Best' and 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' and was dubbed the "Queen of Rock'n'Roll" following her extremely successful solo career during the 1980s and 1990s.
A statement on her devastating passing was shared on her official Instagram page by her representative, which read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow.
"Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly," they added.
Following the 'Proud Mary' songstress's death, many fans are highlighting a specific line from Jay Z's verse in the Beyonce's song, 'Drunk In Love'.
In the track, Jay Z, 53, - whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter - raps: "I'm Ike, Turner, turn up / Baby no I don't play / Now eat the cake, Anna Mae / I said eat the cake, Anna Mae."
The lyrics reference a well-known scene from the Oscar-nominated Tina Turner biopic, What's Love Got to Do With It, in which an alleged argument between Turner (played by Angela Bassett) and her notoriously abusive husband and manager Ike (portrayed by Lawrence Fishburne) turns violent.
The singer - who was still going by the name Anna Mae - was in a diner when fans asked for her autograph but not her husband's. Out of jealousy of those fans not giving him attention, Turner's then-husband demanded she eats the cake he'd ordered. They then had a verbal commotion that soon turned physical as she grappled with him and had cake smeared across her face.
Reflecting on this reference, fans on Twitter shared their outrage at how the lyric was used despite Beyoncé stating several times that Turner was her idol growing up.
One disappointed user wrote: "I’ll never forgive Jay-Z for that particular line in Drunk in love. So tacky. Vile. Inappropriate," and added in a second tweet: "Even more disappointing that Beyoncé give it the green light and allowed it on her album :/"
Another angry user penned: "Knowing that Tina Turner was Beyoncé’s blueprint and one of her biggest influences makes that 'Eat The Cake Anna Mae' line in Drunk In Love even more jarring."
A third commented under a video of the 'Crazy In Love' singer meeting Turner before their collaboration at the 2008 Grammy Awards and said: "This video makes it even more disappointing that Jay Z disrespected Tina Turner & made light of her abuse on Drunk in Love. They both should’ve known better than that."
And, a fourth person said: "I keep thinking about how disrespectful it was for Jay-Z and Beyonce to have that 'Drunk in Love' lyric making fun of Tina Turner's abuse from Ike..."
Despite the uproar on social media regarding the lyrical content, Beyoncé shared a heartwarming tribute on her website a few hours after it was announced that the award-winning star had passed.
"My beloved queen. I love you endlessly," she wrote. "I'm so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion.
"We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain," she went on. "Thank you for all you have done."
