Beyonce Faces Criticism For Her New Album

Beyoncé is facing criticism for using an ableist slur in some lyrics on her new album, Renaissance.

The derogatory term, often used to demean people with spastic cerebral palsy, occurs twice in the song Heated, co-written by Canadian star Drake.

It comes just a couple of weeks after US pop star Lizzo apologised for using the same word in her song GRRRLS.

After that incident, Beyoncé’s new song “feels like a slap in the face”, says disability advocate Hannah Diviney.

“I’m tired and frustrated that we’re having this conversation again so soon after we got such a meaningful and progressive response from Lizzo,” she tells the BBC.

Disability charity Scope are asking Beyoncé to re-record the song, omitting the insult.

“Words matter because they reinforce the negative attitudes disabled people face every day,” says media manager Warren Kirwan.

“Beyoncé has long been a champion of inclusivity and equality, so we’d urge her to remove this offensive lyric.”