B. Slade, formerly known as gospel singer Tonéx, caused a firestorm on the internet after releasing a song slamming members of the black church who shame him because he’s gay.
The song, titled “Conversation,” is recorded to the instrumental of Beyoncé’s popular record “Formation,” in which the singer addresses those who criticized his sexuality, more specifically his attire, during a recent performance at the Love Center — a church in Oakland, California.
“Y’all haters corny with that ‘He needs deliverance’/check out your choir stand/They all need deliverance,” Slade raps. “Attack my character/But Half of y’all Closeted.”
He continues, “Alto’s sleeping with the drummer now she back at the altar/alto’s sleeping with the bass player/now she back at the altar/Pastors trying to get my number in the lobby right after/you don’t know the price that I paid for my box of Alabastor.”
As Tonéx, Slade had a successful career as a gospel recording artist. His album Out the Box earned him two Grammy nominations, as well as six Stellar Awards.
Despite the condemnation, the singer says he’ll continue to “pray for my haters” and declared, “I’m anointed with my shoulder pads and my snatched waist and ya’ll hate it.”
“I snatched them wigs but you ain’t gonna snatch my salvation,” he adds.
Take a listen to “Conversation” below.