Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Franklin

Mariah Carey
ALL SHE WANTS

‘It’s Tiiime!’ for Rock Hall of Fame to Induct This Pop Diva

Could her third nomination be the charm?

Owen Mason-Hill

American musician Roberta Flack onstage at Madison Square Garden for the Atlantic Records 40th anniversary concert, New York, New York, May 14, 1988.
LEGEND LOST

Grammy-Winning Singer Roberta Flack Dies at 88

The singer was known for her intimate style, which was inspired by gospel-like songs from artists like Sam Cooke.

Nandika Chatterjee

Singers Whitney Houston and her mother, Cissy Houston
VOICE OF AN ANGEL

Whitney Houston’s Mother, Who Led Her to Superstardom, Dies

A powerhouse vocalist in her own right, two-time Grammy winner Cissy Houston was a legend behind the scenes, backing up Elvis, Aretha Franklin and more.

Emell Derra Adolphus

A photo illustration of RuPaul
SPEED READ

RuPaul Reveals His Traumatic Origin Story in New Memoir

“I’d mastered the art of naughty-lite,” is how the drag icon describes his enduring public image, which took years to craft, in new memoir “The House of Hidden Meanings.”

Helen Holmes

A photo illustration showing stills from Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Get On Up and Genuis: Aretha.
opinion
R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Black Biopics Deserve More Than the Bare Minimum

As the biopic boom continues, it’s time for Black stories to get the prestige treatment and studio budgets they deserve.

Stereo Williams

Aretha Franklin
‘FROM THE GRAVE’

Aretha Franklin’s Couch-Cushions Will Wins Out

A jury had to determine if the hand-written document that favors one of her sons was valid.

Pilar Melendez

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Michigan jurors will only be tasked with deciding whether a 2014 scribbled note found in Aretha Franklin’s couch cushions can be accepted as the Queen of Soul’s valid will.
BIG QUESTIONS

Jury to Weigh if Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Will Is Valid

Just after the Queen of Soul’s death, two handwritten and conflicting wills were found hidden in her suburban Detroit home. Now a jury will decide if one is legally enforceable.

Pilar Melendez

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T

What Makes Aretha Franklin a Genius?

The showrunner of “Genius: Aretha” explains why it’s so historic—and progressive—to call a Black woman like Franklin a “genius,” and how she approached telling a legend’s story.

Kevin Fallon

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FINAL WISHES

Fourth Aretha Franklin Will Turns Up

The document was reportedly drafted the year she died but never signed.

Allison Quinn

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A MISSION FROM GOD

Dan Aykroyd: How Cocaine Fueled ‘The Blues Brothers’

The legendary comedian opens up to Tarpley Hitt about the 40th anniversary of “The Blues Brothers,” including the film’s cocaine budget, John Belushi, Aretha, James, and more.

Tarpley Hitt

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MUSICAL TRIBUTE

Never-Before-Heard Aretha Franklin Solo Released Junteenth

The solo rendition of “Never Gonna Break My Faith” is released on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 that enslaved Black people were freed in the U.S.

Barbie Latza Nadeau

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