Cyrus Langhorne
New York rapper Nicki Minaj is hurting with the loss of a true soul legend. The hip-hop diva has reflected on the death of music icon Aretha Franklin.
During her Thursday Apple Music Queen Radio broadcast, Minaj went out of her way to remember Aretha’s legacy.
“It’s no secret she’s an icon — an icon of all icons,” Minaj said. “I don’t know anyone who she hasn’t inspired. It seems strange to wake up and hear she passed, even though she lived a long and fulfilled life. But still, we’ve lost one of our icons. Someone we’ve all been inspired by.” The 35-year-old rapper reflected on learning the Detroit native’s 1967 anthem “Respect” in school as a child. “I remember being in school learning ‘Respect,’ and that felt like a mini national anthem for us. It’s so weird how everyone grew up with that song,” she said. “What I love about the song is not just saying ‘give me respect,’ it’s demanding respect. I like strong and iconic women. She was unapologetically the Queen.” (Billboard)
Nicki also had her Queen Radio guest Alicia Keys pay her respects to Franklin.
https://twitter.com/Beats1/status/1030171864755097600
Omg #AliciaKeys #QueenRadio pic.twitter.com/Ss685eTFwV
— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) August 16, 2018
Earlier in the day, Minaj hit up Instagram and saluted Aretha.
According to Franklin’s publicist, she passed away Thursday in Detroit following days of celebrity prayers.
Publicist for Aretha Franklin says the Queen of Soul died Thursday at her home in Detroit. https://t.co/EEqRxODtPo
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 16, 2018
BREAKING: Publicist for Aretha Franklin says the Queen of Soul died Thursday at her home in Detroit.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 16, 2018
