Carlos Santana said Beyoncé is not a “singer, singer” in response to her 2017 Grammy loss to Adele.
The guitarists’ remarks came days after the 2017 Grammys, which included performances by Beyoncé and Adele as well as a nomination category that featured both singers, according to the New York Daily News.
“I think that Adele won because she can sing, sing,” Santana told the Australian Associated Press.
“With all respect to our sister Beyoncé, Beyoncé is very beautiful to look at and it’s more like modeling kind of music – music to model a dress – she’s not a singer, singer, with all respect to her,” he said.
“Adele can sing, sing. She doesn’t bring all the dancers and props, she can just stand there and she just stood there and sang the song and that’s it, and this is why she wins,” Santana added.
The “Lemonade” singer took the stage at the Grammys Sunday night to perform her songs “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles,” while appearing to place focus on the power of “motherhood” and the feminist movement, the Australian Associated Press noted.
This wasn’t the typical performance for Beyoncé, considering her recent pregnancy, which was on full display at the awards show. Instead of eye-grabbing dance moves, the R&B star showed off her vocal skills and creativity with some intriguing visuals throughout the performance.
Adele, who won Album of the Year for “25,” let it be known that she has nothing but love and respect for Beyoncé and her talent as an artist.
“I can’t possibly accept this award, and I’m very humbled, and I’m very grateful and gracious but, my artist of my life is Beyoncé,” Adele said during the award show, the New York Daily News noted. “And this album for me, the ‘Lemonade’ album, is so monumental, and so well thought out, and so beautiful.”
Amid backlash from the “Beyhive,” Santana appeared to take a step back from his comments, explaining that his remarks about Beyoncé were “regretfully taken out of context,” according to Vibe.
“My intent was to congratulate Adele on her amazing night at the Grammies,” the 69-year-old musician wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“I have the utmost respect for (Beyonce) as an artist and a person,” Santana added, according to Vibe. “She deserves all the accolades that come her way. I wish Beyoncé and her family all the best.”
Beyoncé and Santana performed together in 2003 at the Super Bowl in San Diego.
Santana's remarks sparked a backlash social media.