Beyoncé will re-record a song from her newly released album Renaissance after disability campaigners criticised the use of an ableist slur in the track Heated.
The singer’s publicist confirmed that the controversial word, which has historically been used as a derogatory term for people with spastic cerebral palsy, “was not used intentionally in a harmful way” and would be removed from the song’s lyrics.
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The announcement follows widespread criticism from disability advocates, who said the lyric was offensive despite the word having a different colloquial meaning in parts of the United States, where it is sometimes used to mean “losing control” or “going crazy.”
Disability campaigner Hannah Diviney described hearing the lyric as “a slap in the face,” expressing disappointment that the issue had resurfaced only weeks after American singer Lizzo faced similar criticism.
Lizzo apologised earlier this year after using the same word in her song GRRRLS and quickly re-released the track with the lyric removed.
UK disability charity Scope welcomed Beyoncé’s decision, saying it was encouraging to see the singer respond swiftly to concerns raised by disabled people.
Scope’s media manager, Warren Kirwan, said he hoped the incident would serve as a reminder to artists about the impact of language and prevent similar situations in the future.
Despite the controversy, Renaissance, Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, has enjoyed strong commercial success and is expected to top music charts in several countries, with its lead single, Break My Soul, also performing strongly.
