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 (@MarcSnetiker) 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 VAXXquez 🇵🇷 (@filmiliarface) August 21, 2018
Ok…what is Madonna talking about??? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/KWwfOzkilU
— Global Grind (@GlobalGrind) August 21, 2018
Madonna is really on this stage making Aretha’s tribute about HER. pic.twitter.com/23x4tXc1ou
— Jordan Thompson (@jordansdiamonds) August 21, 2018
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
This ain't about Aretha at all. #VMAs
— Felonious Munk 🇪🇹 (@Felonious_munk) August 21, 2018
Girl, can you please talk about Aretha and not yourself. Lord
— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) August 21, 2018
MADONNA STOP pic.twitter.com/7csoeTfLzo
— Corton🤌 (@FirstKnivesClub) August 21, 2018
Me coming for whoever approved of Madonna doing the Aretha Franklin tribute. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/sX9UMhfuQB
— Black Lives Matter ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@SXR3D) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/thecityofjules/status/1031743922492645376
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 celebrated her 60th birthday on the same day that Franklin passed away.
