What we knew all along came true. MTV fucked up its Aretha Franklin tribute.
#VMAs: The Queen of Pop @Madonna pays tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin: "I want to thank you, Aretha for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen." pic.twitter.com/ugdxbr48Gz
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 21, 2018
Rather than calling a Black woman to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul, the MTV Video Music Awards decided to pay tribute to Franklin by asking Madonna to talk about … .:checks notes:. … the time she sang “Natural Woman” at an audition.
Madonna spoke … at length … about what it was like to be a starving artist in New York City in the 1980s. She spoke about performing at the VMAs in 1984. You know who she didn’t speak about? Aretha! She put no “respect” on her name!
Plenty of people called out this tomfoolery on Twitter.
Madonna presents an Aretha Franklin tribute by Madonna featuring Madonna with Madonna and Madonna as “Madonna”
— marc (@msnetik) August 21, 2018
Madonna ruined the Prince Tribute on the Billboard Awards in 2016.
Madonna ruined the Aretha Tribute on the #VMAs in 2018.
I really never want to see her again. Ever. pic.twitter.com/rp6QCql3aR
— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2018
Is this story meant to honor Aretha, or Madonna, tho?
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 21, 2018
Bruh somebody tell Madonna this ain’t about her.
— Frozen Water (@OfficiallyIce) August 21, 2018
wow @ madonna's tribute to madonna
— Tiffany Vazquez 🇵🇷 (@filmiliarface) August 21, 2018
Ok…what is Madonna talking about??? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/KWwfOzkilU
— Global Grind (@GlobalGrind) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/jordansdiamonds/status/1031744525730029569
Did Madonna just make Aretha’s death about her?!
WHERE is Kanye when you need him?! #VMAs pic.twitter.com/3DcDrtPHIb
— The Root (@TheRoot) August 21, 2018
does Madonna know Madonna didn’t die
— Katie Nolan (@katienolan) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/NLiddle16/status/1031744654730035206
https://twitter.com/Felonious_munk/status/1031744116286210052
Girl, can you please talk about Aretha and not yourself. Lord
— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) August 21, 2018
MADONNA STOP pic.twitter.com/7csoeTfLzo
— Daniel (@FirstKnivesClub) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/AreYouR3ddy/status/1031737974252167170
https://twitter.com/thecityofjules/status/1031743922492645376
There’s More Where This Came From
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We're not entirely sure how to feel about this #ArethaFranklin tribute from #Madonna. But, her truth is her truth. #VMAs
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) August 21, 2018
Madonna is this about you or Aretha? I’m confused….. #VMAS
— Kiki Hicks (@MissKikiHicks) August 21, 2018
Madonna celebrated her 60th birthday on the same day that Franklin passed away.
