The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018)

Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25^th, 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee to her father, Clarence LaVaughn “C.L.” Franklin, and mother Barbara (Siggers) Franklin. Aretha's father Clarence, was a Baptist minister and circuit preacher, while her mother Barbara, was a gifted vocalist and pianist.

Both Aretha's parents had 3 children outside their marriage, and due to their tumultuous relationship, they separated in 1948, when Aretha was seven. Barbara went to live in Buffalo, New York, where Aretha's family had previously resided, and continued visiting Aretha who lived with Clarence in Detroit, before Barbara died of a heart attack in 1952, when Aretha was 10. Several women stepped in to help raise Aretha, her grandmother, Rachel being one of them, the other was the late, great Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson—and it was during this time, that Aretha taught herself to play piano.

Aretha's father Clarence, was known as a preacher with a “million dollar voice”, and his celebrity amongst Black church-goers gained an almost nationwide status. His church was frequented by the likes of James Cleveland, Albertina Walker, Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke. Clara Ward, a gifted gospel singer herself, was said to be romantically linked to Clarence, but they never married—although, Clara was in the Franklin home enough times, to serve as a role model to young Aretha, while she attended Northern High School. But in pursuit of a musical career, Aretha left Northern High after her sophomore year.

Just after her mother's death, Aretha began singing solos at her father's church. And recognizing his daughter was an exceptionally gifted singer, Clarence began managing her at age 12. Clarence also helped Aretha sign her first record deal with “J.V.B.” records. In 1956, J.V.B. put out a single featuring Aretha titled, “Never Grow Old”, with another song called, “You Grow Closer” on the record's B-side. In 1965, “Checker Records” released an album called, “Songs of Faith” with the previously recorded Aretha cuts on it, and the disc also featured four unreleased songs from her as well.

Now, according to Quincy Jones, the famously talented singer Dinah Washington, said to him, that Aretha was gonna' be the “next one”.

So, in 1958, Franklin and her father traveled to California, where Aretha met Sam Cooke. And shortly afterwards, she toured with Martin Luther King Jr.—and sang at his funeral in 1968. As a young gospel singer, Aretha spent summers touring Chicago's church circuit, and often stayed with Mavis Staples and her family.

At age of 18, Aretha told her father, she wanted to follow Sam Cooke into the “secular” world of music, and with that, she and Clarence moved to New York, in pursuit of a “mainstream” record deal. Her father produced a two-song demo that came to the attention of Columbia Records, where she was signed to a deal in 1960. And Aretha's first Columbia single, “Today, I Sing the Blues”, was released in September of 1960, and quickly reached the top ten of the Hot R&B sellers chart.

Now, the fact that Columbia Records had Aretha singing songs like, “Today, I Sing the Blues”, speaks to the fact that they didn't know what to do with her golden voice. Still, in the 1960's during one of her performances, a WVON DJ, announced that Aretha should be crowned the “Queen of Soul”—and the title stuck.

In November of 1966, after six years with Columbia, Aretha signed with the “Atlantic Records” label. And in January of 1967, she recorded the song, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”—the song was released a month later and shot to number one on the “R&B charts”. *Note: now-a-days, the music industry has (largely) done away with the R&B chart listings, cause they know it's this genre, not “pop” music (Taylor Swift), that the public at large is really checkin' for and purchasing from (especially when ya' talkin' 'bout whitey). Mind you, “I Never Loved a Man” also peaked at number “nine” on whitey's Billboard's “Hot 100” charts. And if that weren't enough, this record's “b-side “, had the song, “Do Right Man, Do Right Woman” on it. And that topped the R&B top 40 charts.

In April of 1967, Atlantic had Aretha record her riveting version of Otis Redding's song “Respect”, which shot to number one on both the R&B and pop charts. This became her signature song, and with it, Aretha's status as an industry icon was confirmed. The song's also recognized as an anthem for the “Civil Rights” movement—and feminism.

Now, let's stop here.

The real reason Aretha's called the “Queen of Soul”, is that's what her voice spoke directly to.

When she sang, her melanated spirituality reached inside us and had a healing effect on whatever trials and travails we might have been going through. I remember as a young man, the first time I heard her sing the song, “Rock Steady”, on “Soul” Train. At the time, I didn't know much about her, but I was so mesmerized by her voice, that I couldn't turn away from the TV. What I've found out since is, the sound she produced, was the voice of our indigenous ancestors using her as a vessel, to let us get a glimpse of the abiding love, warmth, and benevolence that the overwhelming majority of us will experience, once we leave this 3^rd dimensional plane.

And let me also say, it sickens me, when white women try to hijack Aretha's spirituality, to co-opt the public into believing the nonsensical narrative of white fascist feminism.

Case in point...

A couple of nights ago on August the 20^th, MTV decided that Madonna should prepare a “tribute” to Aretha Franklin on their annual “Video Music Awards” (VMA) show. Now, as we all (should) know, Madonna's speech turned the air toxic at the VMA's—and there's 3 specific reasons why—and they're as follows...

Reason#3: People wondered, what the heck is Madonna wearing?

Well, while most people were befuddled at Madonna's wardrobe, when I saw her “get-up”, I nodded my head and though, it figures—cause here's what I knew: the term “Black Madonna” or “Black Virgin”, refers to the statues of the “blessed” Virgin Mary, and often the infant Jesus, with Black skin. Mind you, there are 400 to 500 “Black Madonnas” in Europe alone—and these statues, which are mostly in churches and shrines, are associated with miracles.

Now, you might be thinking, well, that's nice to know bruh, but what's that gotta' do with Madonna's attire? Well, peep this out...to the right and left of Madonna's picture from the 2018 VMA's, are pics of the “Black Madonna”. And like KRS-ONE said, “...if ya' wanna' little clarity, check the similarity.”

Mind you, the “Black Madonna” is who the Pope actually worships as a deity, as you can see to the left (and if you wanna' enlarge the pic, you can click on it).

Madonna was performing a freemasonic ritual right before our eyes, where she essentially tried to harness Aretha's (The real Black Madonna's) energy for herself. That's why she mentioned in her 6 minute speech, how she was inspired by Aretha, and that's why she thanked Aretha for being “our” Queen of Soul.

Essentially Madonna wants the “Queen of Soul” title herself, but she proved that night, that she'll never be anything but a third-rate “material GIRL”.

Reason#2: Madonna understands that she stopped being relevant years ago.

There's a now famous tweet being shown on this topic that states: “Does Madonna know Madonna didn't die”?

Now, what the person who “tweeted” this fails to realize is: Madonna may not be dead, but her career died a long time ago. And there's nothing she can do to resurrect it—NOT A DAMN THING!

Reason#1: Madonna not only knows that the gold standard of cultural currency is “Black Street Cred”, but she realizes that her leaving the R&B genre to be a pop princess, means she'll forever be locked out of that social construct.

Now, Madonna's 60^th birthday just passed—that's right y'all, the material girl, is 60. And supposedly, Aretha passed on her b-day. Mind you, I guess Maddy wasn't only pissed cause a fuss wasn't made over her birthday, but it seems like she's ticked off cause she was (and forever will be) outshined by Aretha's passing—and Maddy can't stomach that.

To top all this off, Maddy supposedly had her b-day celebration in Morocco, Africa.

Meaning, everything she's trying to do to align herself wit' “Black Cool Points”, is failing miserably. There's even footage of Maddy backstage at the VMA's conversing (and flirting) with Lenny Kravitz. And at one point in their conversation, Maddy says to Lenny, “...awards shows are all about betrayal—you feel me?” So Madonna's working overtime tryna' perfect our vernacular and get wit' our spiritual sciences, so she can stay in denial about her 15 minutes being up—and knowing they'll never be back again.

So, I've said all that to say this: no matter how hard Taylor Swift, Gwen Stefani, the late Amy Winehouse, or Maddy try in earnest to approximate the construct of Black Cool Points, they'll always fall short. For the simple reason that their degenerative pallor and the recessive DNA that goes with it, will never be able to access the kinds of spirituality that the indigenous people of this earth, Black men and women, possess as a matter of course.

And like Sam L. Jackson said, in Spike Lee's movie, “Do the Right Thing”: “That's the double truth, Ruth”.

REST IN PEACE, AND AWESOME POWER TO THE QUEEN, NETCHER, DEITY, AND THE REAL “BLACK MADONNA”, ARETHA FRANKLIN!

THEY'LL NEVER BE ANOTHER TO TAKE YOUR PLACE! 

Later... 

—MontUHURU Mimia

P.S.

Here's the Soul Train vid from 1972, featuring Aretha, that I wrote about earlier. And mind you, everything about Aretha is golden in this clip, from her voice, to her skin, to her hair, to the background's stage design. And even though the production value of this vid ain't the best, Aretha's lovely vocals will still shine through your computer screen. And, I defy you not to get goosebumps when Aretha raises her hands and sings, “Oooooh-hoooo” at the bridge. Classic stuff, enjoy.

 

Why do 'pop tarts' turn into tramps? (Extra special christmas edition)

Now, in keeping with the holidays, celebrity talk shows like 'Entertainment Tonight' and 'Access Hollywood' have an episode dedicated to talking about the most sensational events of the year. 

And for 2013, without fail, every show talked about Miley Cyrus and the 'twerking' exhibition she performed with or on Robin Thicke.

But here's a question I'd been pondering for a while: what's on these 'pop tarts' minds when they go whole hog on turning into tramps?

And why would they take this kinda' chance to repulse so many people and possibly lose what credibility they've built up with their fans?

Well...before I give you the answer, let's look into the beginnings of Miley's career.

Remember, Miley first came to national prominence on

the Disney Channel network as 'Hannah Montana'; and she played a character named 'Miley Stewart'.

Thereafter, she recorded albums as 'Hannah', and they sold exceptionally well to her fan-base.

Now, this doesn't look like anything out of the norm, until you look at the Disney corporation and the man who started this company, Walt Disney. 

Walt was a 33rd degree mason; and early on, he was tasked with conditioning the youth for the white elite. 

And think about the other 'pop tarts' who came out of the Disney corporation's 'machine'...most notably, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. 

Both these starlets started out with squeaky clean, 'girl next door' images; and when they came of age, they wound up looking like ten dollar hookers. 

But back to Miley...

Ms. Cyrus went through the usual paces of her 'homespun' image, until 2007 when she put out the album 'Can't be tamed'. 

Now, the white elites usually wait 'til their starlets are about 15 to 18 years of age before they 'turn them out'. 

And Miley was 15 here; long gone were the days of Hannah Montana...just like any other pimp, the white elites were basically giving her a pair of clear-heeled pumps so she could 'hit the streets' for their cause. 

Now, the reason these secret societies do this, is so young women listening to these artists will grow up adopting a 'loose, partying' and ultimately dysfunctional lifestyle. 

When women, and people period, come from and are influenced by unstable and abusive lifestyles or living conditions, their morals are relaxed and they're less likely to be fully in control of their behavior(s). Thus, they are more easily conditioned than the person who comes from a stable two parent household.   

And one of the main tenets of white supremacist secret societies is the latin saying 'Ordo Ab chao'; which roughly translates into 'order out of chaos'. 

Meaning, in order to better control a person, people or a nation-state; the priority is to destabilize the target. 

Coincidentally, this is why there's such rapacious and never-ending civil wars in places like Africa's Congo. 

Even though the ground beneath the Congo is mineral rich, the Black populus is kept dirt poor through covert operations of white supremacists who fund local/tribal armies to fight and kill one another; while their people extract all the diamonds, gold, coltan, etc. from this nation. (And if you don't know what coltan is, please google it)

And once Miley was properly turned out and ready to hit the 'streets', she came out with her album 'Bangerz'; which is a euphemism for youths who like to have sex. Then she went on MTV and presented the 'twerk-gate' scandal to viewers. (I call this scandal 'twerk-gate' 'cause the white elites used to add the word 'gate' to anything salacious behind president Nixon's 'watergate' scandal...again, google this if you don't know what I'm talking about)

Now, notice how Miley's hair is cut short like a mans? This sends the image of Miley being bi-sexual, read: sexually conflicted and confused. Here, she looks like she'll have sex with anything that walks (Eminem). And if her hair cut doesn't send this message, her crotch grab surely does.

This is suppose to send an empowering message to young women, but it's ultimately telling them, they should feel free to cater to every and any whim they fancy; irregardless of its consequences. It also says, they should be anything but monogamous; see, the white elites don't want women who'll be good wives or mothers, this would produce too many morally grounded children. 

They want women, especially young women, to be just as corrupted and whorish as Miley is. 

And notice when Miley was 'twerking' on Robin, she made this repugnant gesture with her face...

I was wondering where I'd seen this before. Then I realized one of my favorite authors had this gesture on the face of his first novel.

To the left, is author Victor Lavalle's cover art for his first book, The Ecstatic. 

By the way, this is where the rapper 'Mos Def' got the name for his album, 'The Ecstatic'. And both these brothas are white supremacist freemasons. 

Now, notice Miley's hair is made to look like two horns, with her tongue hanging out just like this photo's. This tells us where she and her handlers are getting their inspiration from; a Luciferian/Satanic doctrine. 

One thing I can say about Vic Lavalle though; he is an exceptionally talented writer. And I remember reading the novel he wrote after this called 'Big Machine'; it didn't have any satanic references, but he did write about a secret society called the 'Unlikely Scholars'; and what all the Unlikely Scholars had in common, was they came from unstable and abusive households.

See the pattern here folks?

Even in 'Big Machine's' acknowledgements at the end of the book, Vic gives a shout out to the 'real life' Unlikely Scholars and not only says he's a part of them, but tells them 'your secret's safe with me'.

And Vic recently put out another novel, and it's title? 'The Devil in Silver'...check this if you don't believe me. 

Mind you, these edicts feed into white feminism as well. 

I remember hearing how one of the Rockefellers were having a conversation with a friend at a dinner party. And the Rockerfeller asked his friend, "What do you think about the feminist movement?" 

The friend responded, "I think it's positive...equal work for equal pay."

To which the Rockefeller replied, "Look, we funded women's lib...and the main reason was we couldn't tax half the population if they were staying home and being housewives. We had to get women into the work force to tax that revenue...and, we knew with both parents out of the house, what would be raising their kids is the television." Thus, their kids would be more easily conditioned.

So I've said all that to say this...here's another reason any sane Black person should dislike Disney films, or any of their other products. 

Here's another reason to boycott their asses too. 

And if you happen to be a mother reading this, please keep your daughters away from Disney's material; 'cause like Britney, Christina and now Miley...they're looking to turn your daughters out so they'll wind up like the women of 'Sex and the City'...middle aged tramps who are doomed to be single for the rest of their lives. 

Again, Happy Kwanzaa,

MontUHURU Mimia