Erykah Badu Sparks Debate After Posting Beyoncé Backstage Video From Roots Picnic

A brief backstage video shared by Erykah Badu has reignited old friction with Beyoncé’s BeyHive.

Erykah Badu has done it again.

YEP, she’s the center of debate after sharing backstage footage from the 2026 Roots Picnic that showed Beyoncé and her beloved children leaving the venue while Jay-Z was performing. They left early. For the record, there are other videos in circulation, but Badu’s hits differently.

The video quickly spread across the inter webs…and many people questioned “Why?” Just why? Why would Badu chose to post the moment especially since she is HER. Was it harmless behind-the-scenes content? Or inappropriate use of privilege? The unsaid part is Badu’s complicated public history with Beyoncé and, of course, The BeyHive.

In the past, Badu has made some comments regarding Beyoncé’s “artistic presentation.” Badu suggested that elements of Beyoncé’s style and creative aesthetic echoed her own work, in recent interviews. It has not been a direct feud, but I am sure there is some tension between the Dallas and Houston natives.

The internet never forgets. So, people also remembered Badu’s past remarks involving Jay-Z. This is nothing serious, but she did ask Jay to quell the BeyHive attack.

Is posting footage of Beyoncé and her children backstage crossing a line? They are in public at this point. We also know they are always carefully managing public exposure of their kids. Badu-ites simply say she shared what she witnessed backstage.

What say you?

I just hope the shows were great for those that dealt with the sea of humanity and the traffic!