Local stars hail 'Queen Aretha'

As the world continues to react to the death of  the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin, tributes have been pouring in both locally and internationally.

Among the local artistes to pay tribute to the late singer were songbird Tessanne Chin, Bella Blair, Queen Ifrica, Skatta Burrell and queen of dancehall Spice.

Chin met Franklin in 2014 when she was invited to the White House during President Barack Obama’s tenure for the Women of Soul concert.

“I remember the first time I heard Chain of Fools or Never Loved A Man not to mention Aint No Way and Respect. The list goes on and on and so will her legacy,” Chin wrote in a post to her official Instagram page. “I got the chance of a lifetime to actually tell Miss Franklin what her music and her voice meant to me ... and I remembered being that little girl dreaming of meeting her and singing with her and just trying my best to stay present in that moment so I could hold on to every bit of it. Rest Well Miss Aretha and thank you for all that you have given the world.”

For her tribute, up-and-coming artiste Bella Blair sang Franklin’s Say A Little Prayer. She simply captioned the video ‘Rest in Peace QUEEN Aretha.

But her vocals touched many as they dubbed Blair’s tribute as one fitting the woman and artiste Franklin was, and that the deceased would have been proud of how she handled the song.

SPICE TRIBUTE

Spice paid tribute by posting a quote from Franklin in which she reminds entertainers to be their own artistes.

Spice vowed to keep Franklin's words with her always as she thanked the late singer for her musical contributions.

“Be your own artiste and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it,” the quote read.

Other Jamaican acts who remembered Franklin yesterday included Ziggy and Cedella Marley, Sean Paul, Gramps Morgan and I Octane.

Franklin had an illustrious career with more than 70 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She held the record for the most entries among women until Nicki Minaj surpassed her last year.

She received 18 Grammy Awards, along with a lifetime achievement award in 1994 and was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. 

Franklin died at her home in Detroit early yesterday morning. She had been battling pancreatic cancer. She was 76.