Beyoncé to re-record offensive Renaissance lyric

Beyoncé will redo one of the songs on her upcoming album in response to criticism from disability rights activists.

A pejorative phrase that is frequently used to disparage people with spastic cerebral palsy was used in the song Heated, which was released on Friday.

The phrase, which can have different implications in the US, was "not used purposefully in a damaging way," the star's representative told the BBC.

Without providing a timeframe, they noted that it "will be replaced in the lyrics".

Only a few weeks earlier, US pop sensation Lizzo had issued an apology for using the same phrase in her song GRRRLS.

Within days, she apologized and re-released the song, omitting the offensive lyric.

"Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language," she wrote in a statement posted to social media.

"As a fat black woman in America, I've had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally)."

Beyoncé's track was "like a slap in the face" to fans when they heard it on Friday, disability campaigner Hannah Diviney told the BBC.

I'm annoyed and angry that we're having this topic again so soon after receiving Lizzo's thoughtful and forward-thinking response.

Disability advocacy Additionally, Scope requested that Beyoncé redo the song without the insult.

According to media manager Warren Kirwan, "Words matter because they perpetuate the negative sentiments disabled people deal with daily."

Beyoncé has long fought for equality and inclusivity, therefore we implore her to take down this insensitive line.

Other fans defended the star, pointing out that the term can have a different meaning in the US - where it is often used to mean "freaking out" or "going crazy" (although those terms can themselves be insensitive to people with mental health conditions).

Despite the controversy, Beyoncé's seventh studio album, Renaissance, is expected to top the charts around the world this week.

In the UK, it is currently outselling the rest of the top five combined. The lead single, Break My Soul, is also expected to top the charts.