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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

101. Yahoo! Music User -
Billy J wouldn't know talent if it reached up and smacked him in the face. He thinks RAP is music, Aretha is a legend Brother.

102. Yahoo! Music User -
MS FRANKLIN IS JUST AN UNHAPPY FAT GIRL THAT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE OF HER FATNESS. MS COLE ONLY SUCCESS CAME AT THE EXPENSE OF HER DOING A DUET WITH HER DEAD FATHER...MS COLE IS A RECOVERY ADDICT AND ONCE AN ADDICT ALWAYS ONE

103. staceyfromtx -
I think the Aretha was right to be upset. I love Tina. but her music and Aretha's is very different they are two differant woman. Beyoce was wrong in what she said. She made it seem the all woman where died and Tina was the last one left alive. She was very wrong in calling Tina the queen that crown belongs to Aretha. Beyonce should aplogize.

104. Evidence -
THANK YOU!!! i ain't hear about the Natalie Cole thing, but as i was reading it, i was thinking "wasn't she addicted to cocaine and freebasing on a daily basis back in the day?!" i applaud you brah. *standing ovation*

105. Eric -
why is this on the front page of yahoo?!?!?! who cares what aretha franklin says about beyonce--- let's think about who beyonce is singing with... hmmm. do you think she would say aretha is the queen and then immediately go sing with with tina turner. get over yourself aretha

106. TaiNisha -
Tina Turner looks great...Aretha please stop hating on Tina...oh yes and Beyonce will become a Queen...and i agree aretha needs to work on her health because she is a legend that i would like to stay around for a lot longer
Tina seriously needs to give me her beauty tips

107. Lacresha -
Yes Beyonce said Queen. This blogger is correct cause she did not say Queen of Soul. But, we are all queens in our own right is Aretha going to hate on us all. Beyonce didn't say or do anything wrong! It is petty, ridiculous and not only the media but, look at us commenting on this issue. We are blowing it out of proportion just by giving it so much attention. So we are as guilty as the media folks.

Now the Amy Winehouse comments were made from a woman who was professes Christianity. Here we go again with another Christian defaming Christ with some silly comments by talking before thinking. Natalie doesn't need to show up on the Trinity Broadcast Network thanking God for bringing her through when she can't take the time to PRAY someone else through when they can't do it for themselves. Stay off of of TBN until you learn WWJD!

108. Rob -
Tina and Beyonce performing together was a treat. Aretha: how on earth in the middle of February can you be so insecure that you have to lash out at Beyonce and, indirectly, Tina?! For what?

109. Yahoo! Music User -
please give us a break with all this crap about this singer said this and that their is more stuff in this sad world to worry about than who is calling who a QUEEN let's face it everyone this world is just messed up

110. MICAH M -
Excellent article.Well said.Totally agree.I know there are Much greater things to be peeved over, but when you are in the public eye such as this.Shouldn't you take a little extra time to consider and plan out you comments to the media?Everyone mentioned here has Tremendous talent.They are blessed.Many times they which have such talent, forget to be humble and Greatful for the gifts they have been given and have worked so hard to strengthen. Maybe that's just me?

111. seneca s -
totally agree, she should leave Beyonce alone and stop taking herself so seriously.

112. jim p -
....Aretha is disgusting looking....no stage presence.....she was never the queen....Beyonce is lacking a personal style.....take a look at Amy Winehouse....although you do not have to go that far Beyonce......Amy seems to have touched a nerve with style and talent together so lacking in the ordinary Armani look these days, although stylish too....but we needed some fresh.....Amy is the one....lets hope her career flourishes with new music and power.....you go girl....Amy!!!!!

113. M B -
Hey Ms. ThinkPINK...are you really criticizing (can you pronounce that word or spell it right, because your comments show you need a little extra elementary school education) Beyonce for how she speaks ? You can't even type clear or legible sentences. "all this public speaking", "dis book" "dime piece" "jigga" "Brad pit (?)..."you makin' us look bad here"?

Until you use perfect diction, pronunciation, spelling, prose and leave out the slang, then you can criticize someone else' speech. Do you know what autistic is ? You are insulting those with the disease, it has nothing to do with the way they speak, most don't as a matter of fact.

There is nothing that says Beyonce has to refer to Aretha as the Queen, unless there is a new law that has been passed. She is successful in her own right, in an industry where the competition is 1000 times tougher than get noticed in than in Aretha's day. Give the girl some credit, she holds her own at a very young age and has maintained about as much dignity and class as is possible, especially compared to others in this business.

114. eZ -
Amen brother.

115. Yahoo! Music User -
aretha franklin
is a fattt looser

116. Ida V -
Perfectly written!!!! This is just a case of two older women with major insecurities who should be giving props and leading the younger generation not trying to tear it down!!!

117. MsEsther -
Here here ... ty for setting it straight.

No one, has the right to judge others ... period!

118. Rufus -
Aretha and Natalie and should be ashsme of themselves.I forgive them a lot of us old folks make foolish mistakes.

119. __A_YAHOO_USER__ -
Why are people getting so caught up in titles? Yes, I too think Tina Turner is a QUEEN along with my Grandmothers and My Mother. Will Aretha get mad at me also because I believe they represent royalty and acknowledge them as Queens?

In today's society, there are so many more important issues (education, health, poverty, etc.) to address rather than getting caught up in titles. Let's step on some toes by addressing them.

120. Kendra C -
Aretha needs to get over it! Tina is the Queen. Tina has also been called the Queen of Rock and Roll and she is. Beyonce was right calling Tina the Queen. It was no cheap shot.
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