Beyonce, Grammy Writers Offend Aretha Franklin (Updated)

Aretha Franklin is upset with the writers of the Grammy Awards, due to their possibly unintentional slight against the still-reigning Queen of Soul. Beyoncé, in her introductory musical medley, sent shout-outs to a long list of her musical progenitors including Aretha, who also performed that night. The insult came at the end, when she followed up the list by introducing "The Queen," Tina Turner.

I couldn't stomach more than 30-40 seconds of the following video, but according to Idolator, the offending sequence goes like this:

"Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan... historical women whohave performed on this very stage. When I was a little girl I dreamedof being on this stage. But I knew I needed all the right elements.
Like the beat of Donna Summer, the spirit of Mahalia Jackson, the jazzof Ella, or Nancy – band, gimme some! ("jazzy" bit of "Deja Vu" plays)
Lena Horne, Anita Baker, Diana Ross, Gladys, Janet, and the beautifulmelodies of Whitney. The legacy they have bestowed are simplyirreplaceable.

"But there is one legend who has the essence of all of these things. The glamor. The soul. The passion.
The strength. The talent. Ladies and gentlemen, stand on your feet and give it up for the Queen."

That seems like a gaffe to me, given that the real "Queen of Soul" was sitting right there.

Here's the video:

Aretha's response:

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I mayhave bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé, however I
dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy. In addition to that, I
thank the Grammys and the voting academy for my 20th Grammy and love toBeyoncé anyway."

(via idolator)