Aretha Franklin
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The Last National Anthem
Aretha Franklin was not the Queen of Soul music. Although it is named after the music genre that emerged in the ’50s, all music is soul music. Jazz is soul music. Hip-hop is soul music. I imagine that there is someone right now eating a double kale club sandwich with extra mayo, drinking an avocado-flavored…
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'R-E-S-P-E-C-T': Aretha Created a Women’s Anthem Out of a Song Written for a Man
If you grew up a lover of soul music, you know that today, Aug. 16, 2018, is a day to honor the memory of the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who died on Thursday at age 76 of pancreatic cancer. For those of us who will be playing her music for the remainder of…
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To Queen Aretha, You Are Appreciated. Rest in Power
Like many people, hip-hop was my entryway to a lot of the music I know and love today. Through the use of samples, I made my way into various genres of music and discovered the lifeblood of artistry on several continents. Similarly, it enabled me to become more well-versed in American treasures. One such treasure…
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The Queen of Soul Reigns Supreme: Our Top 6 Aretha Franklin Live Performances
It may seem like a fool’s errand to try and pick the top live performances of Aretha Franklin’s storied career, which spanned 60 years, because, frankly, whenever she was on stage, that performance was likely going to become a moment. (I’ve had the good fortune to see her live twice and both performances will make…
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Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, Has Died at 76
Aretha Franklin, the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer who inspired countless generations of singers and whose powerful, gospel-infused voice earned her the title of Queen of Soul, has died. She was 76. The cause of death was advanced pancreatic cancer, according to the Associated Press. In a family statement to the AP, Franklin’s publicist Gwendolyn Quinn…
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Royalty Recognizes Royalty: Beyoncé Dedicates Detroit On The Run II Concert to Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin
You know our collective hearts stopped on Monday when reports started circulating that the iconic Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is gravely ill and apparently in hospice care. The news quickly spread, prompting everyone to pour out their love and thoughts and prayers for the singer. And because game recognizes game, and royalty recognizes royalty,…
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Aretha Franklin Chooses Jennifer Hudson to Play Her in Upcoming Biopic
Talk about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has handpicked Jennifer Hudson to play her in an upcoming biopic about her life. Music mogul Clive Davis made the announcement at his annual pre-Grammy bash, the hottest ticket in these Grammy streets, making the announcement after Davis brought her onstage to sing a few…
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Watch: Soul and Funk Icons Who Stood Tall for Black Empowerment
You could say that music usually reflects where we are as a society. The height of soul and funk music ran roughly parallel to the civil rights movement in America, from the 1950s to the ’70s, a period that was highly charged with political and social commentary. In today’s climate, it seems fitting to remember…
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Aretha Franklin Still Upset With Dionne Warwick Over Something She Said at Whitney Houston’s Funeral
Your Auntie Ree Ree is apparently the champion of petty and the queen of holding a grudge in addition to being the Queen of Soul, because she lashed out at Dionne Warwick on Tuesday over something the Psychic Friend said five years ago at Whitney Houston’s funeral. The Associated Press reports that Franklin contacted the…