‘Can we talk?’: Why Tevin Campbell was trending on Twitter

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Do not mess with family.

That was the message from Black Twitter this week after a popular author and social media celebrity offered up some snark at suggestions that ’90s R&B crooner Tevin Campbell perform at a memorial for Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

READ MORE: Patti LaBelle puts feud rumors with Aretha Franklin to rest after moving tribute

Luvvie Ajayi, known as @Luvvie or Awesomely Luvvie, tweeted on Thursday night: “Someone suggested Tevin Campbell to sing at Aretha’s tribute. Under what rock did they pull that name from?”

https://twitter.com/Luvvie/status/1030218269154861057

To be fair, Ajayi’s thing is offering up her opinions with a raw twist. She is author of I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual.

But her comment regarding Tevin Campbell just went too far—apparently.

Twitter followers from award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay to award-winning author Roxane Gay were not having it, posting defenses of Campbell or video of him performing with heavy hitters and holding his own.

The backlash became so great that Campbell was trending on Twitter, prompting even Ajayi to take notice.

“Tevin Campbell is trending,” she tweeted on Friday. “Lawdt. I KNOW he can blow but I haven’t heard his name in awhile. People took my tweet and acted like I called his mama a sinner. I ain’t say he can’t sing. Folks added all that stuff to that one tweet. Chisos.”

Responded Twitter user BK Titanji, @Boghuma, “Your tweet was mean spirited and uncalled for girl and yes you questioned his talent. People have a lot of memories tied to ‘90s R&B and Tevin is royalty of the genre, you deserve all the clap backs you are getting. Know better, do better.”

As for Campbell, he’s choosing to take the high road, tweeting remembrances of Franklin and thanking his fans:

He even tweeted a receipt for a meeting with the Queen herself.

READ MORE: ‘My story doesn’t end here’: Serena Williams’ Time magazine story confirms that she’s still the G.O.A.T.

Here he is singing, “Can We Talk.”