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Aretha Franklin's Grammy Wrath Is Out Of Control

Posted Wed Feb 13, 2008 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.

1971 Comments

21. llano -
Queen Aretha can do and say as she wants. Beyonce will never be what she has been to music.

22. rrrusty -
True, Anonymous poster who cares enuff about "trivia" to post a reply. :D

23. Nicole -
I SO agree. LOL.

24. Tracy -
I just so happened to be strolling the internet and saw this. I am really in shock because just when you have seen and heard it all. I hope that it is just a rumor She the great all time Aretha (Queen of Soul) has never appeared to me as someone with bad character. Ladies Ladies what is happening to us. As a true fan of Aretha maybe you were having a flashback. Think if your song chain a fool. Beyonce is young and has alot to learn and she is hiphop generation and your Queen of Soul big difference. I am thirty-two and remember the hits they had impact.

25. Dre'a -
A+ Couldn't have stated it any better myself!

26. Alicia -
you know wat i dnt think ne 1 cud hav wrote it better!...I agree wholeheartedly

27. David -
Tina is awesome and Aretha is amazing. Beyonce is average, just like this fellows writing.

28. atlchatter -
All of this complaining has the impact of cheapening Aretha Franklin even further.

29. lauren -
thank goodness someone put aretha in her place! Beyonce did nothing wrong and will eventually be the queen one day. get over yourself Aretha! If you haven't heard, queens are supposed to be gracious!

30. Brian Fantana -
i meant to say..i 100% agree with your blog mr. johnson!!!!

31. Kim B -
JUST A BIG AMEN

32. Daniel C -
You said exactly what the rest of the world was thinking. Titles like "Queen" or "King" of something are only appropriate when others refer to you in that manner, not when speaking of yourself. Prince could also learn a lesson from this debacle.

And as for Amy Winehouse/Natalie Cole. Natalie wishes she had come up with an album as jaw dropping as Back To Black. Who cares if she's smoking crack? She still had the album of the year, HANDS DOWN! It's not a morality issue, it's artistry being recognized. And sorry, Natalie, your "career" was fairly forgettable... when is the last time you had a hit record? Ok, good talk.

33. e -
Wow..Tina Turner looks AMAZING!
She's an inspiration to us all.

34. desperado -
Agree thousands of times. Tina is a rockin' queen. Of course Aretha is great.. but there is not just one queen in the world, and Tina is one of them. Many atists perform well and get the audience humpin i the stands. Well let me say I have been to a Tina Turner concert and we dont just be humpin. We are jumpin and humpin. I will go see her every time she is in motown.

35. wardog -
It must of been Beyonce's dad who ran back stage and told Ms. Franklin this little story. He and a few others are always so mad because Beyonce doesn't win...WAKE UP, SHES NOT THAT GOOD. She pretty, wears great clothes but give me a break, no awards..I think they just keep stories going for the press. Poor, Poor little Beyonce....don't we all feel sorry for her?

36. Ken M -
This is one of the most well-written, down to earth articles that I have read in a long time. If Aretha or Natalie reads this, then it will definitely strike a nerve. The honesty of this article is amazing; Aretha and Natalie both should be careful with their words and not be quick to criticize people of the younger generation such as Beyonce and Amy Winehouse. Don't sit on a pedestal and pretend that you are immune from mistakes (this one is for you Natalie), and publicly judge other people. And the Grammy's/Beyonce did not take a "cheap shot for controversy" at Aretha...she's the one taking the cheap shot. Once again, this is a very well-written article.

37. -
Here Here!!! *applauds the Blog*

38. Yahoo! Music User -
RIGHT ON!!!! RIGHT ON IN EVERY WAY! Aretha is toooo grown to throw out silly comments like that! Please! TINA is a Queen in every way, Beyonce is on her way to Queendom...Have some repect for your fellow sister's that have made positive contributions to music and have used their fame to make positive contributions to the entertainment industry, humanity, and the African American race.

39. Yahoo! Music User -
Aretha was a has been and she is jealous of Beyonce!

40. s_xybrown -
There are a lot more deeper issues to face in society today rather than dwelling on a comment from the queen of R&B. Was it worth the time and effort to even write an article? I agree with the first comment we have bigger fish to fry in our world than a simple comment. Aretha will always be queen of R&B and Tina is wonderful too she looks great for almost 70, these women were true musicians unlike the musicians of today.
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