Beyonce rewrites ‘spaz’ lyric after backlash

BEYONCE has agreed to rewrite the lyrics of a song on her new album after using a word offensive to people with cerebral palsy.

Fans and disability campaigners were incensed by the use of the word “spaz” in the song Heated, which appears on the newly released Renaissance album.

It appears in a line in which she sings “Spazzin’ on that ass, spazz on that ass.”

While the word in black American vernacular means to “go crazy” or “fight”, it is also also used as shorthand for spastic, especially in the UK.

The latter term is seen as derogatory for people with disabilities, especially cerebral palsy. In a statement to the website Insider, a representative for the 40-year-old Grammy-winning singer said the lyric would be changed.

“The word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced,” her spokesman said.

It is the second time in recent months that the term has provoked outrage after it was used by the 34-year-old rapper Lizzo in a song called Grrrls.

She later changed the words, apologising on social media.

“Let’s make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language,” she wrote.

Campaigners expressed surprise that Beyoncé did not change the offending lyrics ahead of the album’s release.

In Britain, criticism of the lyrics was led by Scope, the disability equality charity. Warren Kirwan, its spokesman, said: “Just weeks ago, Lizzo received a huge backlash from fans who felt hurt and let down after she used the same abhorrent language.

“Thankfully, she did the right thing and re-recorded the song. It’s hard to believe that could have gone unnoticed by Beyoncé’s team.

“Words matter because they reinforce the negative attitudes disabled people face every day, and which impact on every aspect of disabled people’s lives.”