Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul

By Dejan Snoh

"Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, it’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening."

When mentioning icons, it is almost impossible not to talk about Aretha Franklin, our “Queen of Soul”. The American songwriter, entertainer, musician and cultural icon, has not only defined soul through her music, (winning countless awards including the Kennedy, NAACP, and the Recording Academy’s, grammys) she's also responsible for influencing an entire generation of young leaders that we see emerging in American society, which is why Miss Franklin was a no brainer for our list.

Born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Aretha Franklin was an exceptional singer, writer, actress, civil rights activist, and pianist. One could say her iconic career began in a little Baptist church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was ministering. She started off singing gospel in the choir during her youth and would soon be discovered by Columbia Records at the age of 18. Franklin also had to fight her fair share of battles throughout life. At the age of 10, she lost her mother. Her first husband was physically abusive, and in 1979, the tragic shooting of her father took place in Detroit. Her father was left him in a coma until his death in 1984. Her legacy is one to analyze and appreciate considering the trials and tribulations that shadowed it.

At the age of fourteen, she had already recorded her first album while still singing solos and touring with her father. In 1960, Franklin signed with Columbia Records. Despite producing ten albums and raking up an $100,000 fee for her performances at a number of venues, nightclubs and theaters, Franklin and Columbia still weren’t in agreement. Columbia was looking to turn her into more a commercial artist, while Franklin was determined to stick to her roots of gospel and blues. By 1966 she left Columbia for a much more promising contract with Atlantic Records.

Records such as “Think”, “Young, Gifted, and Black”, and “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” became much more than songs. They became anthems that showed the resilience and ambition of African Americans in the heat of racial discrimination and oppression, which is why her artistry is the epitome of soul music. Her album, Amazing Grace, sold over two million copies and elevated her musical and cultural influence. She was even featured in Time magazine on June 28th, 1968, appearing on the cover of the issue.

Aretha’s dominance on the charts is what earned her the title, Queen of Soul. She became a symbol of black empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement, dropping her milestone album, Aretha Live at Fillmore West, in 1971. In 1976 her last Top 40 hits would be produced on a soundtrack for “Sparkle”, on which she had collaborated with Curtis Mayfield.

In the eighties, she became the first female artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her last hit single was produced by musical genius, Lauryn Hill: A Rose is Still A Rose (1998). However, her legacy does not stop at music. Even without producing new music, her influence was strongly felt, not only in the music industry but also the black community. She was an amazing philanthropist, using her resources to effect universal change. Her associations extend from the Grammy foundation to the United Negro College Fund.

Her contributions to society were selfless, compassionate, and perennial. In 1994, Franklin was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest award for an American civilian. In 2009, she got the opportunity to sing at the inauguration of the United States’ first Black president, Barack Obama.

In 2010, she underwent her first surgery to remove a tumor after diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Franklin fought the good fight, but unfortunately, on August 16th, 2018, Franklin died to advanced pancreatic cancer in Detroit, Michigan. Her voice reached many and delivered serenity in a time of oppression, making her legacy nothing less than iconic. A huge thank you goes to the Queen of Soul for being a superb example of Black Excellence.