“Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.”
Aretha Franklin, a.k.a. the Queen of Soul, has died today, according to her publicist (via The Associated Press). The cause of death has not been revealed. She was 76.
Her death comes after years of undisclosed medical issues, which had led to long lapses of silence from the public and many show cancellations.
Listen to some of Aretha Franklin below. RIP, Aretha.