The world mourned the loss of Aretha Franklin, who passed away on August 16th aged 76.
Yet, with a life and legacy as prolific as hers, a mammoth celebration was always on the cards.
And the GRAMMY body are at the helm.
For, on January 13th, a special – aptly christened ‘Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration For The Queen Of Soul’ – is set to be taped.
And an all-star line-up of performers have been announced to honor the music royal.
Head below for details…
In a statement issued moments ago, it was revealed that Tyler Perry will serve as host of the show, which’ll be taking place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Performers on the bill will blend known, new, and altogether potent names.
They include:
Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA.
More performers for the show (which broadcasts later in 2019) are expected to be a unveiled imminently. Tickets go on-sale December 31st.
Speaking in the same statement, Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, said:
“Aretha Franklin’s reign as the Queen of Soul is incomparable and undisputed. For more than six decades, her extraordinary artistic achievements coupled with her passionate dedication to her philanthropic work—which ranged from children’s and artists’ issues to civil rights activism—served as a testament to her power, majesty, and genius. These gifts positioned her as a true cultural icon, and the Recording Academy is honored to celebrate her inspirational legacy.”
Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of of the special, added:
“We’re approaching this show with extremely mixed feelings of sadness and joy, two qualities that over my 37 years of working with Aretha were often present. Our hope is that we will be able to share her remarkable musical and cultural accomplishments through her own words and music as well as through the performances of an amazing group of musical artists who will gather to celebrate her rich musical heritage.”
Clive Davis, Franklin’s longtime collaborator concluded:
“I am thrilled to have the Recording Academy and CBS as partners in this global tribute to my very dear friend Aretha Franklin.
Aretha was more than the Queen of Soul; she was a national treasure. This unique concert—featuring many of today’s greatest artists—will celebrate Aretha in a spectacular manner befitting her once-in-a-lifetime talent.”
An eclectic and fitting list of talent has been assembled to honor the queen and we can’t wait to see and hear how their salutes play out.
Will you be watching?
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?who tf is Brandi Carlie?❓ ?Sza & Alicia & Alissa Cara for a tribute ?Chile ya’ll might as well get Rihanna. Where tf is Jazmin Sullivan & Fantasia & ?there are plenty of more R&B male singers besides just always John Legend.
Just wait for the real tribute at the BET Awards.
John Legend is a lesbian. This panel of female tributers gets a big fat f.uck U from me. The Royal Highness DOES NOT APPROVE of this. This is a white-washed snooze fest (no offense Alicia). The proper lineup SHOULD BE:
1. Mary J. Blige
2. Mariah Carey
3. Babyface & Toni Braxton
4. Elton John
5. Fantasia
6. Yolanda Adams
7. Tamela Mann
8. Paul Simon – sing Bridge Over Troubled Water
AND IN THAT ORDER!
No offense alicia? Alicia is a light skinned half white lady. When hollywood books biracials constantly that is white washing
“No offense Alicia” was written by me because I genuinely like her tributes. She is not much of a vocalist but her tributes are always well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NToHwk2JP_U
Who is Brandi Carlisle? The Go Gos? We Got the Beat? Heaven is a Place on Earth. Very popular is the 80’s you twit!
For me the tribute if fit for a Queen! More perfect to me only if it had Bebe Winans, Cissy Houston and Gladys Knight.
Awaiting to see this tribute.
that was Belinda Carlisle r*****
Like omg why not Mary B? or JAZmine Sullivan or Fantasia, Brandy, Kelly. That list is weak and not going to cut for tribute to the queen of soul! Like Wth are these fools doing??? Ugh to the fake a*** grammys! NO mame!!!
I’m surprised they didn’t ask Christina or Mariah.
That list looks like a whole lot of politicking.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS?!
we saw it all during her 16 hour funeral service.
this is merely a business move for CBS to sell advertisement during this reductive airing of the SAME ACTS and SAME SHOUTING that framed the home-going.
this is totally & completely unnecessary.
We already knew, they were not going to ask fantasia or jazmine Sullivan come on yall. We can’t be suprised, Jennifer Hudson was only picked because she is playing aretha
tyrese can sing..
…micheal speaks can sing….usher can sing….the performers don’t have to be female…we know Mariah cant sing any Aretha
love whitney
I so agee
Smh Where are the REAL SANGERS…
Still won’t watch. The Grammys just played out after last 2/past shows and how the snubs were done
Lemme guess you’re a bey fan…
No Demi?! Really?! Smfh!
NO fantasia? No Jazmine Sullivan? No Ledisi? No real soul singers? NO Xtina? Just screaming Alicia? Aretha hated Patti Labelle. This is a mess
Wow that’s crazy no great vocalist showing up to give Aretha her just do?! I don’t want to hear Alecia-Flat Keys…??♂️
Mariah and X-Tina should be there not SZA
Mariah??? who?
Aretha turning over in her grave
b**** Mariah cant sing soul… she is a breathy and airy singer what don’t you deaf mutha fuckerzz not get……
Mary J. Blige need b shame. Hasn’t done nothing smh
……….Look leave Mary blige alone……..
Mary. Did not sing Aretha for her demo..when she got a deal she did Anita baker…
We wanted Xtina.
Yhe line up is cool but considering Aretha has always shown love to Mariah and Demi I was expecting them to be a part of this
It would be better if the Royal Highness Rasputia sang ‘Do Right Woman, Do Right Man’ as a tribute to the Queen of Soul but I don’t do free gigs. From one royalty to another. I will tribute the Queen of Soul my own way just not free for that boring ass ‘awards’ show.
And Ms Patti is a legendary vocal slayer but I’ll be damned if I die and they call my nemesis to deliver the eulogy. That feels a bit shady IMO
WHERE’S MARIAH CAREY?
I’ll gladly sing at your eulogy or when they deport you Paula.
First of all, bitter birds can’t do a thing ‘gladly’. Secondly, you’d need talent for that. Finally, by the time I hit the ground the sewers of Hoeville will already have been cleaned up, Ratputa. You won’t even be in this plane of existence anymore but I heard you don’t carry fleas to the afterlife so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Simmer down Paula. I can definitely sing and it would be my honor to sing at your eulogy or deportation hearing. I can see it now when the judge says ‘Off to Mexico you go’ I will gladly sing ‘Adios Maricón Punta’.
? your attempt at reading is as tragic as the state of your S** results. But it’s my fault for expecting illiterate bums to read in any way whatsoever.
The only thing “tragic” is you Paula. Since when does an illegal immigrant from Mexico think it can clap back at Rasputia? Don’t make me call immigration on your ass. Hell, I could have one of my workers send you 6 feet under and no one would miss u cause u ain’t supposed to be in my country in the first place.
Furthermore, everyone knows the Royal Highness Rasputia has NEVER caught any S** because I only date fellow royalty that has been thoroughly vetted. Unlike you, I only engage in straight NATURAL sexx and not that perverted A|Ds swapping thing you do with other men. Yuck.
Here are the lyrics to the song I wrote you Paula. It would be my honor to sing it at your FUNIGROL (pronounced ‘F’-‘U’-‘Negro’):
‘Adios Maricón Punta’ By The Royal Highness Rasputia
Adios
Adios
Adios
Adios Maricón Punta
Adios Maricón Punta
Adios Maricón Punta
Vete a la zorra
Mi papa me dice que malo es él
El es grosero
el es feo
el es una perra
vamos a bailar, él está muerto
vamos a bailar, él está muerto
Adios
Adios
Adios
Adios Maricón Punta
Adios Maricón Punta
Adios Maricón Punta
vamos a bailar, él está muerto
vamos a bailar, él está muerto
You can clean my floors b|tch and then rub my feet. I love helping out illegals with under the table work. If you work real good and hard you can be my indentured servant as long as you don’t steal from me.
??? the fact you waited for me to get bored to try and say something back speaks volumes. Stop wabbling your loose walls around me and shut the f*** up JIZZMINE
It’s crazy how everyone is saying that want REAL SINGERS but when real singers release albums y’all don’t support. I gather that Jazmine and Fantasia should be included. I’m here for Celine Dion. I hope she kills it.
Celine´s voice has aged a lot obviously. Plus she rarely shows off in these occasions. With those many singers I suppose each of them will participate very little. Love Celine btw.
Gurl I just love how u be spilling honest TEA lately. I have a new LOVE and RESPECT for all things JOHNVIDAL lately. You are so mature and ahead of your time. These other trolls on here be playing stan wars but JOHNVIDAL keeps it real. This is the 1st time you ever spoke about Celine’s current vocal state and I noticed h ow you spoke on Mariah’s current vocal state in a couple other posts. I guess ever since I got rid of your former master ‘S****** Blonde’ you have BROKEN FREE to be you and gurl IM LOVING ON THE NEW YOU.
Stevie’s tribute was the bomb.com
this is really some b******* where is Fantasia mainstream love to over look her
Celine Dion and Alicia Keys are the only two on that list worth listening to. I’ll be putting everyone else on mute. And at least this time Celine don’t have to worry about Mariah complaining about her riffs and runs.
Why is Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Christina Aguilera and Fantasia not a part of this?? This is the worst line up.
Hasn´t xtina destroyed (in the wrong way) a Whitney tribute very recently? And Mariah is amazing and a true great of her own. But in 2018 she´s not going to do Aretha Frankling songs from the 70s. Just that.
I agree gurl 100 percent.
I need: Mary J, Brandy, Luke James, Fantasia, and Eddie Lavert on the bill.
EnVogue has done the best cover of an Aretha song in the past 30 years and no invite?
Fantasia will be singing now she confirmed on her instagram they just didnt put her name in the headline