Beyoncé 'Dead and Replaced', Alkaline's Eyeball Tattoo: Wild myths that shook the music scene

From the earliest days, the global music industry has been surrounded by a web of myths and misconceptions that often blurred the line between reality and perception.

Several bizarre and widely accepted beliefs emerged, shaping how audiences viewed some artistes and their craft.

That said, here are five notable myths that shaped, and in some cases marred, the reputations of some global artistes

1. Beyoncé “died and was replaced”

“In 2006, Beyoncé died at the peak of her career and was replaced with a look-alike called Sasha Fierce.” This has been a widely circulated rumour that has since gained traction.

In reality, she has explained in multiple interviews that Sasha Fierce was simply her alter ego, created to help her overcome stage fright and perform confidently in front of large crowds since she was a shy person.

However, fans began comparing her older and newer videos at the time, trying to prove she had been replaced by a look-alike.

The release of her 2008 album “I Am… Sasha Fierce” further fueled the speculation, though she later clarified in 2010 that she had “killed” the character as she matured and no longer needed it.

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2. Alkaline’s “eyeball tattoo”

In 2013, Jamaican dancehall artiste Alkaline entered the scene with striking black eyes, claiming he had tattooed his eyeballs.

This led to wild speculation, with some even claiming that he had sold his soul.

Eventually, checks revealed that Alkaline had not tattooed; he only wore high-quality contact lenses.

The move was a calculated strategy to spark conversation and gain attention around him, and it worked perfectly in helping him go viral.

3. Shakira’s “spring-loaded waist”

In the mid-2000s, Shakira became the subject of another unusual myth. Many believed her signature waist movements were physically impossible, leading to claims that she had surgically implanted springs in her waist.

Fans even slowed down her videos to try to find proof. In truth, her dance ability was the result of years of practice.

Shakira had been dancing since childhood, and her control and flexibility came from years of experience, not any form of enhancement.

4. Bebe Cool’s father and jealousy rumours

Another widely circulated myth involved Bebe Cool, who rose to fame at a young age. Rumours spread that his father was jealous of his growing success and had killed him, when in reality he wasn't dead.

The story gained traction despite having no factual basis. It was simply one of those narratives that caught public attention and spread without verification.

5. Diddy’s “I’m Coming Home” and bad luck

There were claims that singing or playing Diddy’s song “I’m Coming Home” could bring bad luck or even death.

Some believed that for Diddy to gain more power, “someone had to go home,” interpreting “home” as the cemetery.

This theory thrived during a time when Illuminati conspiracies were widely believed.

In reality, the song, written by J. Cole and Skylar Grey, reflected Diddy’s personal struggles, regrets, and thoughts about legacy.

Because Diddy was often linked to secret society rumours at the time, the song’s emotional message was twisted into a darker narrative.

AK/EB