“Not her daughter, feeling blue, oh so blue. It was time for Cantra to speak up. Jay-Z exerted considerable effort to erase both you and me, just as he did with L, as well as his relationships with R Kelly and Aaliyah. Finally breaking her silence, Blue Cantrell sheds light on how Beyoncé effectively derailed her career and ousted her from the industry following a bitter feud over Jay-Z. Allegedly, Blue’s advances towards Jay, driven by a significant crush, didn’t sit well with Beyoncé. Yet, beyond the romantic entanglements, Blue accused Beyoncé of pilfering her style and ideas. If you’ve been following Beyoncé’s career, you’d know she’s garnered a reputation for borrowing from other artists, especially black female ones. Blue even issued a warning to Beyoncé, asserting her unwillingness to be trifled with. However, shortly thereafter, Beyoncé leveraged her connections to dismantle Blue’s career. Things spiraled so out of control for Blue that she fled to London in fear for her safety, seeking a fresh start. At one point, she was even spotted wandering the streets alone, convinced someone was out to harm her.
The tension builds when you spend so much time together, bickering and picking each other apart. Many can certainly relate to that. But before delving into the unsettling details of the narrative, let’s first set the scene and understand how we arrived here in the first place.”
At the tender age of 17, Blue ventured solo into the hustle of New York City, driven by her passion for music. Her talent caught the eye of an A&R executive, propelling her into the realm of backup singing for renowned artists like Puff Daddy, Truth Herz, and Faith Evans. Joining the girl group 8th Avenue, mentored by the illustrious Teddy Riley, they laid down tracks, even gracing Blackstreet’s 1999 album “Finally,” until Riley’s departure halted their musical journey.
Following 8th Avenue’s disbandment, Blue found solace in industry connections, notably befriending Usher. Through Usher’s introduction, she crossed paths with producer Tricky Stewart of Red Zone Entertainment. Initially eyed for Stewart’s girl group 321, her solo potential shone bright during a recording session, prompting Stewart to pivot and nurture her individual artistry. Relocating to Atlanta, she found herself under Stewart’s roof, where she encountered L.A. Reid, head honcho of Arista Records.
Impressed by her vocal prowess, Reid extended an offer to join his label, catapulting Blue into the limelight. With five record labels vying for her signature, she ultimately inked a deal with Reid, a decision she later deeply regretted.
She burst onto the scene with her debut single, “Hit ‘Em Up Style,” which quickly became a sensation. The track soared to number two on the Billboard Top 100, earning her not just acclaim but also her first two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. Additionally, she snagged an American Music Award nomination for Favorite New Soul/R&B Artist. With the release of her inaugural album, “So Blue,” she continued her streak, achieving platinum certification and cementing her status as a rising star. Her momentum seemed unstoppable, positioning her as a potential pop powerhouse.
In 2003, she followed up with her sophomore album, “Bittersweet,” which also enjoyed success, yielding hits like “Breathe” featuring Sean Paul and earning her another Grammy nod. However, her trajectory hit a snag when Beyoncé launched her solo career with the blockbuster album “Dangerously in Love” that same year, instantly overshadowing her. The comparisons between the two artists grew, and she began to feel the pressure intensify.
But the tension between them wasn’t solely felt by Blue; Beyoncé also felt the competitive edge, concerned that Blue might overshadow her. Yet, Beyoncé’s discomfort with Blue stemmed not just from music, but also from Blue’s apparent infatuation with Jay-Z, actively vying to take Beyoncé’s place as his partner. Initially, Blue denied any romantic involvement with Jay, but during her memorable interview with Wendy Williams, she seemed to backtrack, stoking the rumors. When Wendy asked if there was more than friendship between her and Jay-Z, Blue didn’t outright deny it as she had previously. Instead, she evaded the question with laughter, avoiding a direct answer altogether.
“Have you ever had a romantic moment with Jay-Z?”
“I… no, I can’t address that. I can’t.”
“Ah, she’s touching on the topic again. See why folks can’t shake off the Jay-Z Blue C speculation?”
Wendy persisted, suggesting she sensed that Blue’s connection with Jay wouldn’t last because Jay preferred younger, impressionable women whom he could shape to his liking.
“I had my doubts about its longevity, radio, really. You and him, yeah.”
“Why? Because you’re over 25?”
“Why would he want someone older than that?”
“But why? Why do you say that?”
“I believe ultimately, a younger, less worldly-wise, someone more innocent.”
“You said it, not me.”
Blue also openly expressed her strong attraction to Jay-Z and hinted at being open to a relationship with him.
“Oh my God, serious. I believe so, I think they’re in love.”
“Politics?”
“No, genuinely, I believe they’re in love. I have quite the crush on him though, I must admit.”
However, this marked just the beginning of the tension between them. Blue later accused Beyoncé of appropriating the music video concept for her 2003 hit collaboration with Jay-Z, “Bonnie and Clyde”. She claimed the video bore a striking resemblance to her own video for “Round Up,” which had been released earlier. But this wasn’t the only instance where Blue accused Beyoncé of copying her.
In the same year, Blue achieved considerable success with her song “Breathe,” a collaboration with Sean Paul. Yet, just a few months later, Beyoncé also teamed up with Sean Paul for “Baby Boy.” Many speculated that Beyoncé’s move was a subtle jab at Blue, suggesting she had no qualms about imitating her. Beyoncé even appeared to nod to Blue’s song “Breathe” with the lyric “Let me breathe.” But the saga didn’t end there.
Beyoncé’s debut album featured a track titled “Signs,” where she seemingly alluded to Blue and Jay’s relationship dynamics. In one line, she sang, “I was in love with the Sagittarius, I wish he was a Virgo, the same sign as me, and know how to show me love, ’cause I’ve been hurt by a Pisces.” Interestingly, Jay-Z is indeed a Sagittarius, while Blue is a Pisces.
Later, Blue spoke out in an interview with The Guardian, expressing her grievances towards Beyoncé for what she perceived as subtle digs. Accusing Beyoncé of seeking attention, Blue made it clear she was willing to confront any hostility head-on, though she preferred to avoid conflict. “Maybe she’s stirring the pot for publicity, but she needs to realize, if she wants to go there with me, it’s a risky move. She ought to grasp the consequences. I’ve honed my craft.”
However, Beyoncé and her team didn’t take kindly to these remarks. Shortly after, Blue’s career took a nosedive. Her record label opted not to renew her contract or provide financial support, effectively halting her music releases. Additionally, she discovered she’d signed an unfavorable contract, granting her label a substantial share of her earnings. Blue admitted her lack of understanding about the music industry at the time, exacerbated by the conflict of interest involving the lawyer provided by her label. “Had I known, I would’ve sought my own legal counsel. That lawyer ended up representing them, creating a conflict. They colluded to exploit me. The full truth remains between them and me, but I was undeniably taken advantage of.”
After that, she vanished from the industry scene, disappearing off the radar for a while. Meanwhile, Beyoncé had ascended to full-fledged global stardom, leaving many, including Jaguar Wright, to speculate that Jay-Z and Beyoncé played a role in Blue’s sudden decline, viewing her as a threat to their dominance. Jaguar likened Blue’s situation to that of Eric Sermon, who allegedly fell from a third-floor window under suspicious circumstances.
“All of this unfolded during the same month Jay-Z dropped ‘The Blueprint’,” Jaguar noted. Official reports suggested Eric attempted self-harm, but both Eric and Jaguar denied this, alleging foul play.
“They claim Eric jumped. I don’t buy it. Someone gave him a push.”
Directly addressing Blue Cantrell, Jaguar urged her to confront her past involvement with Jay-Z.
“Blue, not their daughter, the original Blue Cantrell. You got into the game, maybe not fully aware of his true nature. But it’s time to speak up. Jay-Z worked tirelessly to erase us, just as he did with others like L, R Kelly, and Aaliyah.”
In 2012, Blue emerged from a period of seclusion, citing deliberate sabotage as the reason for her departure from the industry. “I needed a hiatus. Spending extensive time abroad, particularly in London, was essential for me to recharge. Being an artist demands constant dedication; it’s a round-the-clock commitment with little rest or nourishment—a true test of endurance.”
However, she was forced back into hiding permanently after facing a life-threatening situation. Reports from TMZ detailed Blue’s distressing encounter where she was found wandering the streets, expressing fears for her safety. Witnesses recounted her frantic state, claiming she was being targeted. Law enforcement intervened, eventually placing her under psychological evaluation.
In a disturbing incident around 2:00 a.m. in a Santa Monica neighborhood, Blue appeared to lose control. Witnesses reported her frantic cries about poison and gas, prompting a call to authorities. It’s disheartening to witness how Blue was discarded and mistreated. Firstly, her label exploited her, and then allegations surfaced regarding Beyoncé and Jay-Z using their influence to undermine her further. Adding to the discomfort, they even named their own daughter Blue. It’s a disturbing coincidence, to say the least.
As always, opinions vary, such as one individual’s view: “Beyoncé seems incredibly insecure. It’s puzzling that others can’t perceive it. She seems to take issue with anyone connected to Jay-Z. Instead of seeking someone who values her, she directs negativity towards everyone except the root cause of her suffering, her husband. He seems to control her by manipulating her emotions. It’s a pitiful and sorrowful situation, but it appears to be her karma.” Another person added, “Naming their daughter Blue was a clear message to Blue Cantrell. They’ll intimidate and eliminate any competition. Mariah’s career suffered, Aaliyah’s gone, DMX passed away, Teairra Mari and Cassie’s careers hit rock bottom, not to mention Biggie and Tupac. It’s tragic.”
Now, I’d like to hear your thoughts. What do you all think about the allegations against Beyoncé regarding Blue’s career? Do you believe she’s truly responsible for Blue’s downfall? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to click here to watch another intriguing video.”