A conspiracy theory that claims artists are being “forced” to thank Beyoncé has gone viral on TikTok

A conspiracy theory about Beyoncé's influence on the music industry has gone viral on TikTok, claiming that she is feared by many artists. The theory goes that top performers are “compelled” to thank Beyoncé when accepting awards. Speculation intensified following the arrest of rapper Diddy, a close friend of Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z. Social media users have linked the deaths of several celebrities, including Tupac, Aaliyah and Michael Jackson, to Diddy and Jay-Z, suggesting that those who do not align with them will face tragic consequences.

One viral post said, “If Aaliyah hadn't died, no one would know about Beyoncé today,” sparking further debate. Users have also pointed out that major artists often mention Beyoncé in their acceptance speeches, citing examples such as Adele in 2017 when she won Album of the Year at the Grammys, saying, “Beyoncé deserves this award for Lemonade.” Similarly Sage Lizzo in 2023 and Jay-Z in 2024 thanked Beyoncé during their Grammy speeches.

The theory gained more attention after TikTok videos discussed the strange consistency of artists praising Beyoncé, raising questions about her power in the industry. Despite the furore, these claims remain unproven and there is no evidence linking Beyoncé to any malicious activity.