Today, we celebrate the life of Aretha Franklin, who passed away on August 16th 2018.
This past weekend, the film Respect hit theaters. Respect is a biopic that chronicles the life of the Queen of Soul. It's only fitting that this the film was released around the three year anniversary of her death. In Respect, Jennifer Hudson portrays the legendary singer, and her performance has been met with critical acclaim. Today, Hudson shared a 2016 clip of Franklin singing and playing the piano to Twitter:
The Queen of Soul. It\u2019s been three years since you entered your heavenly reward. Thank you for teaching us in life and in death. Your legacy will live on forever. I\u2019m sure you are singing the clouds out of heaven ! #arethafranklin \n\n(: @TIME, 2016)pic.twitter.com/BjOQOChiFT— Jennifer Hudson (@Jennifer Hudson) 1629118875
Franklin’s legacy certainly does live on in musicians like Hudson herself. Other musicians who have cited Franklin as an inspiration include Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and Amy Winehouse. Blige happens to be one of Hudson’s co-stars in Respect; ironically, Blige portrays Dinah Washington who was one of Aretha Franklin’s biggest inspirations.Blige told Oprah:
"When I first heard that it was Jennifer [playing Aretha], I was happy because that's a no-brainer. Jennifer is an amazing singer. She has that thing in her voice like Aretha has in her voice. She could sing anything."
Not only did Hudson get the seal of approval from Blige, but one of Franklin’s dearest friends, Smokey Robinson took to Twitter to praise Hudson’s performance:
Can't wait to see the new movie @IAMJHUD. Aretha would be proud! #Respectpic.twitter.com/dEryH9tHj7— Smokey Robinson (@Smokey Robinson) 1628865961
Robinson shared a photo of him and Hudson along with the sentiment that she made Franklin proud. Robinson and Franklin were not only good friends, but they were also contemporaries. The two were both inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the same year, 1987. Franklin was the first female inductee.
Three years ago, the world lost one of the greatest singers to ever live. Aretha's music will continue to inspire people young and old, and her music will remain a gift to everyone for generations to come. \n\n#ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoulpic.twitter.com/gYQSsbAdFq— Aretha Franklin (@Aretha Franklin) 1629125533
The Aretha you know is only half the story. Don't miss @IAMJHUD as the Queen of Soul in #RespectMovie \u2013 Only In Theaters August 13.pic.twitter.com/MypsoJTYAp— RESPECT: The Aretha Franklin Movie (@RESPECT: The Aretha Franklin Movie) 1627585200
Respect is in theaters now.
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