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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

61. is this it -
You are right on the money Billy, I couldn't have explained it better myself. Natalie Cole just sounds jealous that she isn't making any good music to be nominated for, in fact let's be honest, the only reason she ever got started was because of her father's name. And Jabba the Hut Franklin needs to learn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for her musical peers. Tina has survived alot and still has the chops to belt it out with the best of them, unlike Aretha who I couldn't even understand because all the fat was soaking up her words.

62. uh huh -
hey! where are the nachos?!

63. __A_YAHOO_USER__ -
This has got to be the most moronic post I have every read. I literally lost brain cells reading this mess of a slam against Aretha. She is indeed the queen of soul and maybe instead of her calling Tina the Queen, the stupid tart Beyonce should have called her "the queen of rock and roll". Maybe that would have eliminated any ambiguities. I also agree with Natalie Cole about Amy Whinehouse as well. Back in her day, Amy's behavior would not have been celebrated with Grammys. It does send a poor message to our youth that ignorance is rewarded. And, not everyone likes the song "Rehab" FYI. I swear they give any retard who can type a blog these days...

64. Ronald -
Billy Johnson Jr, I'm sorry to say but, this isn't a psychologists office. When you wrote this article, it didn't feel like you were writing, it felt like you were complaining. There is a difference between being professional and just plain immature, and you're immature, this blog was poor.

65. liehater -
Who really cares what Beyonce said. There are bigger issues than who is the queen and Beyonce can sing but can never hit the notes that Aretha can or ever will. She sells herself well and sometime sells out and talks too much. The real issue is to bring our soldiers home and leave Iraq to their government. There also people starving in this world so why would we care what Beyonce thinks. To all who cares; get a life.

66. AngelaT -
i agree with the last person. all i have to say is Aretha has been the queen since before you were born and noone has sung with that much soul and truth since

67. oucheey -
No publicity lately Aretha?

68. Michael -
Yeah, i must agree with the article. I don't know about Natalie's situation but Aretha really annoyed me when i read that article. For starters, Beyonce NEVER called Tina the queen of soul. and if she did, so what? Aretha's heyday is over. She is not the same singer she was 30, 40 years ago when she was a Natural Woman. a few decades and hundred pounds later, she's really let her self go. Her voice is not as on point as it once was. when she sings, she sounds as if she's out of breath and hungry. I heard her butcher Luther's "House is Not a Home" on that tribute cd. A mess! i was UPset. Anyway, Aretha please stop fishin for recognition. you got several recognitions and honors. let someone else get theirs. and Furthermore, Beyonce did mention you. Your name was second on the list, as i recall. If anyone phenomenon that should be somewhat upset, then that would be Patti! but i digress. All in all, Aretha, get over it!

69. Matilda -
Amen!

70. E -
I couldn't agree more! Well said.

71. M B -
Oh, by the way, its it me or does Natalie Cole look like she has "whitened" her nose with a little plastic surgery in that picture. Or maybe her nose had collapsed a little from the cocaine she used to do ?

People in glass houses, really !!!

72. LaSaundra -
Has anyone noticed the string of 'off' statements from the Hmph Queen of Soul over the years? She's always been ungrateful! Its sad. Beyonce sees Tina as a Queen... she's a BETTER Queen than (I'll B nice) Aretha, anyday!

73. Mimi -
Kudo's to Mr. Johnson for putting it out there like that! Looks like they've had too much HATERADE in their lifetime. Just remember Aretha and Natalie, people, who live in glass houses should never throw stones.

74. Yahoo! Music User -
uretha is nasty

75. pucca -
Listen Aretha..
I am from the detroit area and for years we Detroiters have had to sit around and watch you embarrass the city over and over..You don't pay your bills and you think people should just hand out things to you and your deadbeat family..Your own son had to have the city come down on hime for not cleaning your yard..While you sit and become LARGER than life..If you cant even maintain your own health and backyard..Then WHY?? should you be the "Queen" of anything..get over yourself and start representing proper.

76. Yahoo! Music User -
I can't believe yahoo allows you to post such ignorant and bias rhetoric. You do not represent the educated individuals of the hip hop sect. You and your blog should be discontinued. Aretha Franklin is The Queen Of Soul. Beyonce is ignorant just as you are. How dare her make short mention of all the greats (Vaughn, Aretha, Horne, Mahalia, Ella, Gladys, etc.) before calling an undeserving Turner the queen. SMH at kids.... I noticed all your points about Tina's accomplishments were portrayed in the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It!" LOL @ how limited and impressionable the misguided are. Aretha and the other divas mentioned had trials and struggles as well. Oh, I forgot, I can't expect you to be aware of anything that hasn't been on the silver screen or dvd.... Billy Johnson Jr represents the bottom feeders of the hip hop community!!!

77. Manuel -
who cares, there's better things in this nation to be giving so much focus on people egos, that's just me.

78. lavario18 -
I believe in everything you're saying. It should be enough having a mega star mention your name in her performance at all. I'm almost positive non Aretha fans or people who knew nothing of her, went and purchased some material from her beautiful past. If anything Beyonce boosted your album sales so be thankful. She said she dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy, but I believe its the other way around. Maybe Aretha is upset Beyonce played Deena (Diana Ross) in Dreamgirls and not a single movie was made about her....

79. CJ -
Hey, there. Aretha ~"The Queen of Soul"~ has low self-esteem. It is not about Beyonce, nor is it about Tina Turner. It is about Aretha and her out of control weight. So, therefore, you must consider the Source.

80. Yahoo! Music User -
I personally was confused when Beyonce mentioned Aretha and then later introduced "the Queen" as though they were two different people. I thought Aretha was coming out to perform. Oh, and you spelled bout wrong.
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