A music industry veteran of over 25 years, Tank – for his own hits as well as those he’s penned for others – is easily one of the most revered male R&B vocalists of his generation.
With that reverence and experience, the singer-songwriter (born Durrell Babbs) has not shied away from voicing his displeasure over the changes he’s seen in the business over the years – chiefly as it applies to the commercial reception (or lack thereof) of R&B and the ease in which up-and-coming acts are so quickly deemed leaders of the genre.
His stance on those honorific titles landed him in hot water with rising rapper Yung Bleu earlier this week, sending both acts’ fans into a frenzy over their heated exchange.
See it all inside (in case you missed it):
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As seen above in social media posts captured by our friends at TSR), Bleu retweeted a fan who stated, “Yung Bleu might b the new King of R&B this brotha make bangers only.”
Taking umbrage with the compliment, Babbs replied, “I’m glad I’m from a different generation cause y’all wild.”
When news of the ‘When We’ singer’s comment landed on the desk of Bleu, he hit back with:
“Another episode of bitter old ni***s. Tank u still waiting on that verse that’s why u mad. U supposed to be a OG! U commenting on shade room acting like a female.”
Suggesting the 46-year-old’s dismissal of his ‘king’ title was due to bitterness over the emcee passing on doing a duet (alongside screen shots of their text messages discussing the unrecorded tune), Bleu also said:
“I already felt your weird energy that’s why I didn’t want to record that wack a** song.”
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Tank didn’t let the diss slide so easily. Via a video message (seen above), he hit back saying:
“And this generation throws the king and queen around like you don’t have to earn that. You how many years and how much success it takes to earn the title of king or queen. You know how long Mary J. Blige worked? You know how long R. Kelly worked? Do you understand how long Usher worked to get those titles? Chris Brown? You know what, I’m done.”
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Offering the final word (via a screen shot seen above), Bleu slammed Tank’s lack of Gold or Platinum-certified records.
“…I never did anything but gave u your flowers just answer me one thing,” the rapper wrote. “Seeing that I have more plaques than you and sold more records. What make you more legendary than me? Time right? Give it time!”
All-in-all, the 27-year-old did acknowledge Tank’s legendary status.
“Ima real talent! I can be legendary within my own generation just like you were,” Bleu said. “All these songs I wrote 100% . NO help “except baddest!” All I’m saying! But it’s no beef bro I wish you nun but blessings u a legend but that dnt mean ima stop tryna be one also.”
Black men always hating on each other 🤦🏽♀️
Black women too. They self hating themself too
Stfu you can’t talk b i t c h a s s f a g
Oh really? Never mind those two overwhelmingly white European countries declaring literal war against each other this morning. LOL…you trolls are the worst…and dumb might I add.
Glad to see Shayla taking a break from playing rockstar online! You got anymore platinum plaques girl?? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Black women are bigger haters the whole black race is nothing but a bunch of haters.
Megan got a collab with Beyoncé. Cardi got a collab with Normani – the Fisher Price Beyoncé wannabe 😂😂😂😂😂😂
DC, how many troll accounts you have? Dumb ass troll
And that Beyoncé collaboration still didn’t sell like cardi 3 diamond singles ha ha even wap sold more wap is Meg biggest song 🤣☺️☺️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Young Bleu for the win in the final comments
He is winning now- Tank hasn’t seen his success in his entire career.
It’s a matter of genre and the times, but respect should have been given. Anybody can be a King or Queen in their own right. Unless Billboard and Rolling Stone said it, who cares??
Okay first off, he took this far too personal. Nowadays the titles ” Legends’ and especially ” Icon’ are being throwed around too damn loosely for me. The only man other than (say what you will but the catalog speaks for itself) R. Kelly is Stevie Wonder. Both men music really define to refine everything musically. Both producers, writers, great male vocalists, inspired many, songs are timeless, etc they were the package entirely. In my humblest opinion nobody in our generation a King or Queen of R&B. Everything is still soulless and without true romance and mystery especially. No storyline, lyrics, theme, or phenomenal live performances worthy. Just gimmick, Rap-sing, sexual without being sensual, caring for women or man with refers to b**** or n**** smh ect. Yes, times have changed, but have they changed for the better is the real question?
Stfu h**. Ain’t nobody got time to read your long ass essay
SCREAMING 🤣
Savage
Nobody asked your illiterate ass to read anything. Remain bothered dumb b****.
i dont event know he this young… is yes you sold more than tank because we live now on the streaming era dont try to compare it with the phisical era dumbo.
Tank was here before you so shut up and give him some respect unknown person
Yung Bleu has sold more because Trap/Indie/POP music usually sell more than Traditional R&B nowadays. It’s been this way since 2009-2010.
when everyone is a legend, noone is
Tank better be careful. Young Blue is literally crazy. Btw he isn’t even a singer. I consider him to be a melodic rapper. Maybe he can be the king of that one day. Tank had rnb classics but he isn’t close to being king. Doesn’t he consider himself to be “the general” anyway.
I’m with Tank…who is the other guy?
Tank is bitter because his careers a flop. He prolly still has lawn furniture in his living room. Broke a**.
Forget Selling Albums — Artists Can Now Go Platinum Via Streaming
Which is not real sales and it’s very easy to go gold and platinum because of streaming.
UMM! Yung Bleu is NOT Traditional R&B.
Being Black doesn’t automatically make you Traditional R&B.
There is an obvious difference between a Musiq Soulchild & Yung Bleu who relies heavily on electronic Trap beats & his vocal style isn’t inspired by Gospel/Blues/Jazz/Falsetto Soul Music.
Usher was the last REAL R&B artist of the 2010’s. He stayed TRUE to the traditional style. Trey Songz started off as R&B but a lot of his music is mostly Hip-Hop driven now. So he can’t be in the debate.
There should definitely be a NEW category. Most of the newer artists fall somewhere in-between trap & Indie music nowadays. Basically sub-genres.
Who are they? Anonymous legends?
Young Blue (cuz he needed the money).
Look at the way he attacks women by stating that Tank is acting like a woman!