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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

161. Trainer B -
Aretha who? This was just a way for Aretha to get her name in the news, since she hasn't had a decent hit on the radio in quite a few years...

Hmmmm....I hear Beyonce and Tina on the radio more than Aretha...

And as for Natalie Cole, I couldn't agree with her more...Amy Whino shouldn't have received any awards for that CD, my God, have you heard that drivel?

Tina Turner looked fantastic on The Grammys... it would have been nice to see Aretha not wearing a bed sheet, at least she could have dressed up for the occasion, and looked like the Queen that she thinks she is.

162. Yahoo! Music User -
ThinkPINK,

What did you mean by Beyonce is "autistic"? Do you even know what autism is?

163. Azizah -
Now I agree with you about the comment Natalie Cole made. I don't know what she's talking about.

164. Reaching_Legendary_Heights -
this matters why?

165. Robert E -
When I heard Beyonce refer to Tina as the Queen,I was shocked& took it as a slap toward
Aretha.I am not a hater nor small minded.Tina
is not the Queen& never will be.Ike made Tina
& if not for him she would still be in Flatbush,Tenn.Aretha is in a class w/ Billie Holiday.Tina is not & never will be the Queen!
Do you think Tina can sing this song that is
on this blog.

166. Richard -
Mr. Johnson,I dont know if youre ever gonna read this, but you are a complete joke.Obviously you know nothing about the history of soul to disrespect Aretha the way you just did.And I never like to bring up race but did you notice that most of the ppl who agreed with you are cauacasian and obviously know nothing about the contributions that Aretha made for r&b?Tina Turner and Beyonce can only wish to be on the level of Ms. Franklin.20 grammys-enough said.

167. rrrusty -
help i'm lost! will someone please 'splain the great bout/bought debate? is it 'bout that? or 'bout sumthin that got bought? or are we talkin' 'bout a bought-out boxing bout? pullleeeassse, i wanna get back to my petty blogging... :D

168. Yahoo! Music User -
I can't believe a woman Aretha's age is making such a huge deal about the statement that Beyonce made. Tina Tuner IS the Queen. Aretha does have a powerful voice, but c'mon, Tina has had a very difficult life and came out of it a strong powerful woman, and when it comes down to it, Tina Turner sent Beyonce mewling off the stage and that says something. Aretha and her over-sized ego need to get over it.

169. Yahoo! Music User -
My God - I didn't know it was possible for a Human Being to have 3-5 chins. I don't care if she is the queen of anything - she is plain and simple - morbidly obese - completely disgusting and absolutely repulsive. Can we now call her the Burger Queen ?

170. John I -
I agree totally with you. Ms. Franklin has always been a bit of a diva. I remember her sharing a stage with Carole King and Aretha wouldn't let Carole King sing a complete line from Natural Woman, and Carole King wrote the song!

As far as Natalie Cole comments, I need to look at it a bit. Natalie Cole had her own addiction problems so maybe she was talking from the experience of too much of fame and awards too quickly having a heavy price tag.

171. Yahoo! Music User -
Beyonce

172. Rich F -
aretha is queen, give her R.E.S.P.E.C.T., beyonce is a cookie cutout hack, and is not even in the same league as Tin or Aretha.

173. milesy -
cha! as if beyonce even wrote what she was reading on the prompter! aretha's blaming the wrong person--she needs to jump on one of the writers. a huge star like beyonce doesn't even have time to clean her own ears let alone write an intro that requires research! and natalie-you're no better than kanye west when he didn't win a few years ago. but at least he's still in his 20's--what excuse do you have at your age! can't we just all be happy that a great jazz album won? it's about time!!

174. Lil Los -
Hey,
Although I agree with Aretha, wasn't Beyonce just reading a teleprompter anyway? If the real writers were not on strike, they would have caught that in the script.

175. Hillary -
Oh yeah as for Natalie Cole, instead of saying how much you don't approve of Amy Winehouse getting her awards because of her addiction, why don't you call her up and let her know you've been there and done that and offer her some advice. Everyone is always so critical of these people (Britney, Paris, Amy, R. Kelley), go ask them what you can do for them and stop throwing them under the bus.

176. Sid -
It is true that Aretha overreacted, but she has put out many inspirational singles through the years--in contrast to Beyonce's self-absorbed singles aimed squarely at top-40 radio. And Natalie Cole had many more hits than 1991's "Unforgettable" remake--from 1975 to 1989 she had five top-10 pop singles, including "Our Love," which debuted in the top 40 thirty years ago this week. This being said, Cole should realize that Winehouse is at a much diffwerent stage in life than Cole is.

177. K-Fed -
OMG! Finally, somebody has the guts to tell it like it is! There is nothing "official" to being called the "Queen of Soul". I've heard her called the "First Lady of Soul" too, so WTF is she? Aretha's been getting her props for years, Tina Turner deserves to be honored and it's about time! James Brown was the Godfather of Soul, maybe Aretha should be called the Godmother of Soul (or Grandmother!)

178. Tru sense -
Entertaining article, but I do have to admit Natalie Cole and Aretha Franklin were being some haters.

179. Black -
Beyonce wrote the introduction herself..and I am sure she did not mean a slight against Ms.Franklin. It was a mistake plain and simple.Just as no one would ever call someone "the hardest working man in show biz" when James Brown is in the room,it was a breach of etiquette (particularly in a room full of industry). but beyonce is a sweetheart and meant nothing by it. She needs to just have her mom fry some chicken and make some pies and carry it all over to Aretha's hotel and be very apologetic.Because, no matter how big she gets, Aretha is the QUEEN.

180. Yahoo! Music User -
You and Beyonce with her commercial sound apparently don't know anything about the Queen "ARETHA". Nothing against Tina,but she is definetly not the Queen.Aretha holds that title ALONE.
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