Aretha Franklin: News

Aretha Franklin was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter who was popularly known as the ‘Queen of Soul.’ She is the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards. Franklin was twice ranked number nine in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. She is known for hits such as ‘Respect,’ ‘I Say a Little Player,’ ‘Freeway of Love,’ ‘I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),’ and ‘Chain of Fools.’ Franklin started her music career as a child by singing gospel at the New Bethel Baptist Church. Her father CL Franklin was a civil rights activist who served as the minister of Bethel Baptist Church. Largely self-taught, Franklin is well known for her powerful voice. She recorded some of her earliest tracks at the church by the age of 12. In 1956, these songs were released as the album ‘Songs of Faith.’ At the age of 18, she signed with Columbia Records and in 1966, she signed with Atlantic Records which gained her recognition. Following this, she went on to deliver top hits. During the civil rights movement, she became a symbol of Black empowerment. She died in August 2018, due to pancreatic cancer.