The Queen has left us, Miss Aretha Franklin.
Aretha you did so much for me you’ll never know.
You showed me what it was to be black and proud growing up in a tiny town with not another brown face in sight.
You taught me to sing
You taught me RESPECT
You taught me how to be a Natural Woman and how not to get caught up in a Chain of Fools.
You taught me how to Think. And hold my own in a room full of men.
You taught me how to belt.
You taught me how to laugh.
You taught me how to be a diva with ferocity and kindness.
You are the reason I wanted to be a singer.
You are the reason I felt proud to be brown.
You changed my life from the second I sang along to your songs at 5 years old in the car with my mum and for every road trip after that.
You are gone but you will never be forgotten.
Thank you Queen.
