The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, sadly passed away on Thursday at her home in Detroit after a lengthy illness. She succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer surrounded by her family and friends.
Her death follows her hospitalization at a Detroit hospital last week after her illness got serious. She was later discharged and reported to be responding positively to treatment at home until she kicked the bucket.
A great role model and loveable personality, Aretha’s music touched the lives of many and also inspired others to take up the profession especially at a time when people of colour were marginalized and relegated to the background.
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Aretha wasn’t just popular in the United States, she was a global superstar, and the announcement of her death on Thursday saw fans and prominent people from all walks of life paying tribute to the ‘Queen of Soul’.
Here’s how some well-known African personalities and celebrities reacted to her death:
Aretha: you’re the reason why I’m a singer today.
When Amazing Grace came, it was the first time I saw a black woman on an album cover. Aretha was sitting on the steps, she’s wearing a beautiful African dress. Everything about the photo suggested pathways and possibilities to me. pic.twitter.com/MEkxDfgUz7— Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo) August 16, 2018
Listen to South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka paying tribute to #QueenOfSoul Aretha Franklin’s life. pic.twitter.com/8VNK1IB3tl
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 16, 2018
EFF MOURNS THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN OF SOUL MAMA ARETHA FRANKLIN pic.twitter.com/L8yDMIvlA1
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 16, 2018
Aretha, you are so ingrained in the music of my childhood in South Africa. Rest in love Queen ? #RipArethaFranklin
— ?Lesley-Ann Brandt (@LesleyAnnBrandt) August 16, 2018
Imbokodo Aunty Aretha. This photo was hated by Apartheid South Africa. Black & White icons on same stage denouncing apartheid! Thank u Aretha, RIP. pic.twitter.com/FSjFEGCzoM
— Bo Mbindwane (@mbindwane) August 16, 2018
Rip Aretha Franklin. One of the best vocalists of all time, an embodiment of greatness. ? #QueenofSoul
Tributes for Aretha Franklin who died Thursday aged 76, keep pouring in.
Here is what the #QueenOfSoul ?️ meant to Nigerian artist Seyi Shay pic.twitter.com/nlHVByBIJM— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 17, 2018
Aretha, you are so ingrained in the music of my childhood in South Africa. Rest in love Queen ? #RipArethaFranklin
— ?Lesley-Ann Brandt (@LesleyAnnBrandt) August 16, 2018
In Africa we say a big tree has fallen!
Aretha Franklin, you inspired a generation, mentored the greats and have left a legacy that history will look back and smile at!
Queen mothers never die, they multiply! A true legend! #RIPAretha #RipArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/1zvbdJb1ej
— Thee Trend Setter ™ (@xtiandela) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Prayer. pic.twitter.com/9ioh3DZS2g
— M'vunganyi (@UpfrontAfrica) August 16, 2018
This week South Africa and the World lost two jewels in our crown. RIP Struggle Icon Zondeni Sobukwe (Image source : Journal of the People / GovernmentZA / Twitter) & Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin #rip #arethafranklin #zondenisobukwe #queens pic.twitter.com/ihMoQP2EYv
— Reign (@ReignCrownsSA) August 16, 2018
Imbokodo Aunty Aretha. This photo was hated by Apartheid South Africa. Black & White icons on same stage denouncing apartheid! Thank u Aretha, RIP. pic.twitter.com/FSjFEGCzoM
— Bo Mbindwane (@mbindwane) August 16, 2018
