Aretha Franklin's Grammy Wrath Is Out Of Control

Posted Wed Feb 13 6:15pm PST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Aretha Franklin just received a MusicCares Award last week from the Grammys.

She deserved it. A sweetheart friend of mine pulled some strings for me to get a ticket, but I was ultimately unable to attend when a dear relative passed away days before the event.

But when I got the news that I was going to see Aretha perform, I was humbled. I attended a MusicCares event for Natalie Cole (stay tuned for the irony) several years ago, and it was incredible. The MusicCares event is essentially a night devoted to a singular artist. So if you are a genuine fan, it is a privilege to be in attendance. I could not believe that I was going to get to see the undisputed QUEEN OF SOUL in this setting.

But now, I'm glad that I didn't go.

Today, Hip Hop Media Training launches its own awards show. It's called the WhoCares Awards, and Aretha is the first recipient.

Aretha is upset with the introduction Beyonce made for Tina Turner at the Grammys. Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as the Queen and Aretha felt disrespected, and had enough nerve to complain out loud about it via a statement issued by her publicist (news):

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé. However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy," Aretha wrote.

Yo, Aretha, Beyonce didn't call Tina Turner the Queen Of Soul. She simply referred to her as the Queen. Ugh, didn't you see the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It?" How about the book? Did you see how great Tina Turner looked on stage at the Grammys, next to Beyonce, who is 42 years younger? Did you see her moves? I know you're a woman, but did you check out her body? Did you see the kind of shape she's in even though she eats off of the Senior Citizen menu at Dennys? Do you know that she will be 70 years old next year? Did you hear how great she sounded? Do you remember how she found the strength to turn everything around after years of abuse from Ike Turner? Didn't you know that she was penniless, but went on to become one of the most successful women in entertainment? Don't you know that Anna Mae Bullock is from Nutbush, Tennesse? Nut-bush! (Do you even know where that is?) You don't remember how she helped revolutionize rock 'n roll, not to mention soul?

What is wrong with you?

You don't think she deserves to be considered a queen?

Not even on the night she is being honored?

Come on now, Aretha. Don't be greedy. Show Tina some R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

If you want to be upset at someone for handing out titles that you think are inappropriate, where were you on the night of June 19, 2001 when your god daughter Whitney Houston referred to her ex-husband Bobby Brown as the King Of R&B at the 1st Annual BET Awards?

We needed you to issue a statement then. That would have been perfect. It would have been fitting for the Queen Of Soul to announce, "Here ye, here ye! Bobby Brown is not the King Of R&B."

But you left us hanging.

Thankfully, Jamie Foxx told us that Whitney apparently meant that Bobby was the King of "Reefer & Beer."

And just because I'm all pumped up, I think I should also toss a couple words in Natalie Cole's direction.

Man. Aretha and Natalie are two of my favorites. I'm telling you. I love some Natalie Cole. Baby Girl, you are underrated. You have some of my favorite songs?

But why are you hating on Amy Winehouse? (news)

Why?

What did she do to you?

Why do you think the Grammys were wrong for giving her those awards?

Because she's on drugs?

Is that it?

Natalie, we are not talking about Britney Spears here.

I don't care that Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings are getting shaft and not receiving the credit they deserve for being Amy's backing band. I love them too. But don't try to act like you don't like "Rehab."

Don't try to act like you weren't surprised when you found out that "Rehab" was some blue-eyed soul?

Let the moral courts judge Amy. But the Grammys is supposed to recognize the most outstanding recorded works in the related categories. If you are implying that Amy's work is not worth recognition, you are wrong. How about you go back to the height of your own drug issues and return all the awards you received during that time? How would you feel if your honors were erased from the history books?

We are all proud that you were able to overcome your own bout with drugs. You're looking good Natalie. Try to meet with Amy. Talk to her. Tell her your story. Maybe you can help her.

Just don't do her dirty like Dr. Phil did Britney.

Don't be a hater.

And that's the message for the day. It's for both you and Aretha.

Stop the hateration.

You are legends and you're setting a bad example.

2277 Comments

1. -
Oh, please. You're giving her the "Who Cares" award and yet your blog is on the front page of Yahoo, reporting on such a trivial issue, when there's a war going on and a Presidential election?

What Aretha said was petty, but the media is blowing it completely out of proportion.

2. Crutnacker -
Aretha's always had an ego equaled only in size by her clothing and her talent.

3. suchalady_vol -
2 words: WELL SAID!

4. omayrat1 -
Beyonce said The Queen she did not say the BIGGEST!!!

5. spicysweetone -
WELL SAID!!!!

6. dannyb_0812 -
thank you

7. Sugar Shane -
Preach it pastor.

8. Steve A -
Billy Johnson, Jr.'s comments are right on the money. I couldn't have expressed it any better myself... in fact, I couldn't have expressed it as well.

9. UFC Man -
Beyonce sucks anyway. Aretha is a legend, period. While Beyonce is just some floozy who didn't get popular on her own. No. She had to latch on to Jay-Z to get some fame. And Beyonce will NEVER be the queen of music. Just a damn joke. Aretha Franklin has EARNED that right by putting GOOD MUSIC. She IS THE QUEEN OF SOUL. So screw beyonce and anything she makes.

10. wmclark54@sbcglobal.net -
aretha is a cow ready for the pasture

11. Yahoo! Music User -
Oh, shut up. Aretha was not taking a cheap shot at Tina Turner. I am more then sure more then one person from the media called her up and asked her what she felt about it. And she told the truth, so what? You media heads make me sick. Trying to make a story out of nothing. Go cover some real news.

12. omayrat1 -
Beyonce said the queen, not the BIGGEST!

13. First L -
very tastefully written and of course 'right on'
such prima donnas to say those things

14. Joe B -
Very good article, I agree 100%.

15. -
Wow! You can't top anything like this article. It's dead on right!

16. rrrusty -
Amen amen AMEN, Billy J! I took a break from the sassy newgroups to check out your blog. Too much hate goin' round the world and not enuff love, peace and RESPECT. How are the young 'uns ever going to learn if the grownups are sniping at each other?! Peace, y'all, Peace!!!

17. kimmyp -
wow Aretha is all good and so is Tina. Nothing was wrong with Beyonce said or did!!!! Is this a cat fight or what? Or is it a Menopause attack!!! Be for real both Ladies are off the hook I love them both. Can we all just get along. What is in a title?

18. ThinkPINK -
Aretha was correct in correcting Beyonce. Your blog is the epitome of what Aretha is talking about Beyonce should know her music history if they want her to do all this public speaking and presenting. Let's face it Aretha is a big woman but Beyonce is autistic. Have you heard her speak. Aretha please charge it to her heart and not her head (by the way beyonce's head is empty she is a black blonde). Isnt this the Beyonce that said she studied Diana Ross to prepare her for her role in Dreamgirls...hello Dreamgirls was a Diana "the lady boss" dis book and stage play. Beyonce needs to spend time reading and learning and not being a dime piece on jigga's arm all the time. Go read a book or watch some public tv..Is this the reason Brad pit left brains over beauty. Beyonce girl you makin us look bad here in black history month girl.....get it together.

19. Raul N -
[profane] Beyonce, and all u sucker [profane]s who thinks she has talent

20. ThinkPINK -
oh I'm sorry and you are who????? Whose blog is this anyway?
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