The legendary musician, activist and undisputed Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, died on August 16, 2018.
Online, everyone mourned the loss of one of the greatest voices the world has ever known.
Her fellow musicians posted moving tributes:
Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. ???????????????????????????????????????? #Aretha
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our Father. I will miss her so much but I know she’s at peace. #QueenOfSoul
pic.twitter.com/UatS3U3YXe— Smokey Robinson (@smokey_robinson) August 16, 2018
The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 16, 2018
Although Aretha was known as the #QueenofSoul, i called her Hip Hop because of the Incredible break that’s in this song. You had to be quick to percussively EXTEND the break — DJs you KNOW.
Aretha, Rest In Peace. #RIP
#RipArethaFranklin
#HHPPT
pic.twitter.com/HsWI0hFbFK— Grandmaster Flash (@DJFlash4eva) August 16, 2018
RIP THE GOAT THE QUEEN… pic.twitter.com/fxnSTfFNKT
— Diddy (@Diddy) August 16, 2018
As did artists of all types:
“Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew
I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
But you’re the key to
My peace of mind.”
Her voice/swagger was peerless.
Thank you, #ArethaFranklin
pic.twitter.com/5gp0OP10Jf— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 16, 2018
RESPECT!!! REST IN PEACE AND POWER OUR TRUE QUEEN ARETHA FRANKLIN. IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE MET YOU AND WORKED WITH YOU ???????????????????????? #QUEENOFSOUL
#ROYALTY
#BLACKEXCELLENCEATITSBEST
#LEGEND ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/RBIzD0dxaI— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) August 16, 2018
Queen Aretha. Rest in Power. pic.twitter.com/xPUiz6P21A
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) August 16, 2018
Your music will live on forever. Rest in power, @ArethaFranklin. ???????? #QueenofSoul
#Icon— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 16, 2018
YALL DONT UNDERSTAND WE JUST LOST THE QUEEN!! I WILL MISS YOU ARETHA FRANKLIN SO MANY NIGHTS YOUR MUSIC SAVED MY LIFE!! REST IN PEACE!!
— Leslie Jones ???? (@Lesdoggg) August 16, 2018
Activists spoke out, saddened by the loss of a woman who consistently used her voice for the good of all:
Just as they welcomed #ArethaFranklin to their hearts during their lifetime, both my father and mother have welcomed the #QueenOfSoul to their heavenly home. #RIPQueen
pic.twitter.com/sYNZGYvcpR— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 16, 2018
Rest in power Aretha Franklin ????
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) August 16, 2018
Take 5 minutes out of your day to watch Aretha Franklin absolutely steal the show with her performance in The Blues Brothers. pic.twitter.com/RhIfc2KDZP
— Shaun King (@shaunking) August 16, 2018
NASA announced it has made sure Franklin will always exist in her proper place among the stars:
We’re saddened by the loss of Aretha Franklin. Asteroid 249516 Aretha, found by our NEOWISE mission and named after the singer to commemorate the #QueenOfSoul, will keep orbiting beyond Mars. See more details: https://t.co/NlW4vkmKDq
pic.twitter.com/yZ0E5ofSQT— NASA (@NASA) August 16, 2018
Politicians set aside their debates to salute the queen, as well:
One of the greatest voices of all time has been silenced. My dear friend Aretha Franklin has passed. Even though her music will live on forever, the sound, the voice, and the inspiration of the Queen of Soul can never be matched. Farewell, Aretha.
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) August 16, 2018
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin was an incredible gift to the world. Her magical music and spirit will stay with us always, as well as with generations to come.
— Valerie Jarrett (@ValerieJarrett) August 16, 2018
From listening to Mary Don't You Weep, to standing in the living room dancing to Rock Steady over and over again, to hearing from the Queen herself how lucky I was to be young, gifted and black — Aretha's songs were the soundtrack of my childhood. America has lost a legend. RIP
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 16, 2018
Today, we lost the #QueenofSoul; heaven gained the voice of an angel. My prayers go out to her family and the millions of people who look up to her as an icon in music.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) August 16, 2018
Rest in power Aretha Franklin, your voice and spirit will elevate, inspire, nourish and nurture for all history to come. #QueenofSoul
pic.twitter.com/OvQJpNQ07n— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 16, 2018
And former President Barack Obama, famously moved to tears by Franklin, had a lot to say, writing Franklin helped "define the American experience" by using her voice to make us "feel our history, all of it and in every shade — our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect."
Now, check these out:
Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin Dies After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer
Nina Simone And Sister Rosetta Tharpe To Be Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
