Aretha Franklin: The Impact

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away on August 16th, 2018. But many teens don’t know the impact that Aretha had during her lifetime.

Aretha got the title “Queen of Soul” in the late 60s after releasing her hit albums ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You’ and ‘Lady Soul’, along with hit singles such as her signature song ‘Respect’. In addition to being a music icon, Aretha also had a part in the Civil Rights Movement and in Women’s Rights during the 60s.

Aretha’s song “Respect” became the anthem for both movements. In addition, she helped fund activists such as Reverend Jesse Jackson and Martin Luther King. She even offered to bail out Angela Davis.

“I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she’s a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people,” said Aretha at the time. “I have the money; I got it from Black people — they’ve made me financially able to have it — and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.”

Aretha set the standard for being a great artist in the music industry. She sold 75 million records and was awarded 18 Grammys. Many other musicians, including Jennifer Lopez, Janelle Monae, Diana Ross, and Paul McCartney, count her as an inspiration.

“Whether singers know they’re influenced by her or not, they are,” says Mariah Carey.