The music industry seemed shattered when the news of Aretha Franklin’s death was confirmed earlier this month. The Queen of Soul’s passing at 76, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, made people once-again reminisce over her astounding legacy and her phenomenal gift.
It was inevitable for everyone to expect a certain type of homage to the legendary songstress at this year’s VMA, especially considering they were the first musical event taking place since her passing.
But to everyone’s surprise, despite miss Franklin being one of the most formidable vocal powerhouses – VMA’s tribute wasn’t really a “singathon” featuring the biggest and most soulful voices of the present generation, as one would expect.
Franklin’s tribute-section was instead handed over to be taken care of by – *cough cough* – Madonna, who’s verbal homage (a sort of speech) turned into a self-indulgent story concentrating more on herself than the late legend.
It wasn’t long when people online and everywhere else started pointing out the obvious and complained about the so-called tribute lacking of any R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for the Queen!
Check out how Twitter reacted after VMA’s “non-tribute”:
Madonna REALLY went out there in her best cultural appropriation outfit to talk about Queen Aretha Franklin?
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!?!? #VMAS pic.twitter.com/07tA07UoAd
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) August 21, 2018
I’m so lost. I thought Madonna was supposed to be paying homage to Aretha but I all heard was her paying homage to herself. HEAVY on the Mayonnaise……
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) August 21, 2018
“If it wasn’t for Aretha, we wouldn’t have Madonna”- Madonna
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) August 21, 2018
Aretha Franklin’s Tribute at the #VMAs:
1. Madonna talks about herself, at length, with Aretha as a footnote.
2. “Respect” is played at the very end.
3. A photo of Aretha with “1942-2018.”Bro, what? Disrespectful.
— Nia Langley✨ (@theNiaLangley) August 21, 2018
Yall Had Lenny Kravitz there the whole time but let Madonna do the Aretha tribute?! Bye #VMAS pic.twitter.com/1uBVWue2LM
— DKT (@darleneturner53) August 21, 2018
Travis Scott gave a better Aretha Franklin Tribute than Madonna and All he said was RIP Aretha Franklin. #VMAs
— Trey Lawrence (@_TreyLawrence) August 21, 2018
The Aretha Franklin tribute is Madonna talking about herself at great length?
— Michael Arceneaux (@youngsinick) August 21, 2018
Madonna talking about guitar lessons, Paris baguettes and her ass hanging out while she looked for a stiletto with the image of Aretha Franklin behind her is everything I expected from the #VMAs
— Kingsley (@kingsleyyy) August 21, 2018
Madonna made Aretha Franklin’s death about herself and her own musical journey, and honestly, this is some of the whitest shit I have ever seen. #VMAs
— Evette Dionne 🤷🏾♀️ (@freeblackgirl) August 21, 2018
Madonna ruined the Prince Tribute on the Billboard Awards in 2016.
Madonna ruined the Aretha Tribute on the #VMAs in 2018.
I really never want to see her again. Ever. pic.twitter.com/rp6QCql3aR
— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2018
Madonna is giving a very moving tribute to herself
— Julie Fishbach (@heyfishbach) August 21, 2018
And you’d think someone as gigantic a figure in music as Franklin, would be given a better treatment on a mainstream award show.