Aretha Franklin, born March 25, 1942, left an indelible mark on music, culture, and civil rights. Her voice—powerful, passionate, and unmistakable—redefined soul music and became a rallying cry for ...

Lauren is a former Deputy Editor of The Root. Suggested Reading Will We Ever See Another Black American-born MVP? Iconic Moments From “All Roads Lead to the South” March Expert: What Stripped ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. In addition to being a maternal figure to Hudson, the Memphis-born icon has long been the Queen of Soul to music lovers around the ...

Aretha Franklin’s legacy deserves renewed recognition during Women’s History Month as her birthday falls on March 25. Franklin sang several songs that coincide with the cultural and social advancement ...

One of the best aspects of photographing Aretha Franklin — as Matthew Jordan Smith did frequently between 2005 and 2014 — was that she sang during their sessions. “I had a playlist of my favorite ...

In 1961, Aretha Franklin released Aretha, her debut record. Although the album didn’t produce any big hits, it was the beginning of a career that would make Franklin one of the most respected and ...