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“It’s impossible to quantify the impact Aretha Franklin has had on American popular music and culture. She appeared on Billboard’s pop charts more than 70 times and was awarded 18 Grammys. Then there’s the manner in which she transformed songs like “Respect” (originally Otis Redding’s), “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (by Simon & Garfunkel) and “You’ve Got a Friend” (by Carole King).” – Essence

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During African-American Music Appreciation Month, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors gifted African-American artists and their music. They have dedicated this first week to the Queen of Soul, ’87 Inductee Aretha Franklin. As the first female inducted into the Hall of Fame, Franklin made unprecedented contributions to both music and culture from the anthem “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” to performing at three Presidential Inaugurations, she inspired a nation.

Join the content series titled From The Vault: Aretha Franklin Spotlight 

Before there was Queen Bey, there was Queen A

Celebrating the strength and creativity of women today, in honor of Aretha’s birthday, listen to “Respect” here: https://lnk.to/Weloveyouaretha

Photo Credit: Michel Haddi

AMAZING GRACE has been nominated for Best Reissue at the NME Awards 2020! Winners will be announced on February 12 at the O2 Academy Brixton.

Aretha Franklin’s AMAZING GRACE was among President Barack Obama’s favorite movies for 2019. See repost from @barackobama IG: Next up are my favorite movies and TV shows of 2019. This year’s list includes everything from explorations of class dynamics and relationships, to an inspired reboot of a classic graphic novel, to a portal back to one of the most special places in history — an Aretha Franklin concert. Of course, there’s also American Factory, a film from our own production company, Higher Ground, that was recently shortlisted for an Oscar. It’s our first offering in partnership with Netflix, and I’m excited about the other projects we’ve got in the works.

“Video of Aretha Franklin’s stunning solo piano rendition of the yuletide classic ‘O Tannenbaum’ – performed in 2015 at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center – has been released for the first time.” – RollingStone

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TIME Exclusive: Check out an emotional Aretha Franklin singing “Rock of Ages” at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit.

“‘It’s an honor to join the Genius: Aretha team, and to bring to life the magnificent story of the Queen of Soul, an amazing woman who my wife, Angela, and I loved dearly,’ Vance said Thursday in a statement. ‘Aretha’s father, C.L. Franklin, had a profound impact on her trajectory from a girl in a gospel choir to a global phenomenon — both in a good way and a bad way.'” – Hollywood Reporter

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“MGM and Bron Creative have finalized the cast for its Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson, who was previously announced in the lead role. The biopic follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.”

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“Nat Geo and Imagine have found their Queen of Soul. Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning artist and actress Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, The Color Purple) has been tapped to star as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of Nat Geo’s Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha, from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios. Billed as the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series on the life of Franklin, Genius: Aretha will begin filming in November for a spring 2020 premiere on National Geographic channels in 172 countries and 43 languages.” – Deadline.com

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Photo by Shayan Asgharnia/Shutterstock