https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/08/21/beyond-disrespectful-at-vmas-madonna-gets-backlash-after-bizarre-aretha-franklin-tribute/?noredirect=on

She basically talked about herself and the song she auditioned with could have been replaced with anything else.

She was asked by the organizers to tell an anecdote from her career that involved Aretha Franklin. The story she told was her only connection with Aretha and that's what she did.

What else was she supposed to say the highlights of Aretha's career which had already been covered by the media.

I don't think it could have been any song. The point of doing an Aretha song was that she was fierce and empowered women and made people who had nothing and were in difficult situations felt they could achieve something and realize their dreams.

People are acting like Madonna said horrible things about Aretha, whereas she didn't.

I don't see how it was disrespectful at all.

OperatingThetan said:

The producers asked Madonna to include an anecdote regarding Aretha at the last minute. While all the blame is being directed at Madonna for fumbling what was never intended to be a tribute in the first place, the producers of the show are evading culpability for not arranging a full and suitable way to honour her. The responsibility is on the organisers, not Madonna.

Exactly that ... M was there to present an award, I presume because she turned 60 this week, and they asked her last minute for an anecdote on Aretha ... which is exactly what she did.

Just people looking to get riled up about something that's not worth getting riled up about

Glindathegood said:

The point of doing an Aretha song was that she was fierce and empowered women and made people who had nothing and were in difficult situations felt they could achieve something and realize their dreams.

I know that was the point of it, but it was so long-winded and self-centered.

This was not a "last minute" thing. I saw it on my local news a few days before the VMAS that they were going to do "tribute" to Aretha. They never said who was doing it or what was gong to be done. I am still confused as to was they did it as I don't remember them saying anything about Prince, Bowie, or George on the VMAS. And it should not have matter what other awards shows did for them already or how long they pass on before or after the award show as they were a part VMAS in the early days.

dancerella said:

Poor Madge can't get it right these days. Still love her though.

theyre both from Detroit

Purplestar88 said:

This was not a "last minute" thing. I saw it on my local news a few days before the VMAS that they were going to do "tribute" to Aretha. They never said who was doing it or what was gong to be done. I am still confused as to was they did it as I don't remember them saying anything about Prince, Bowie, or George on the VMAS. And it should not have matter what other awards shows did for them already or how long they pass on before or after the award show as they were a part VMAS in the early days.

It was a last minute thing. They failed to get a proper tribute together, and then stuck it all on Madonna. It looked ridiculous, but I don't think it's Madonna's fault. MTV threw her under the bus. That said, from a PR perspective, Madonna should have stayed away from anything that had to do with Aretha -- she would get bashed no matter what.

I don't really see why the MTV Video Awards felt the need to do a tribute to Aretha in the first place. Aretha was never a video MTV type of artist. Their show appeals to a younger demographic who for the most part have no idea who Aretha is. They should have left tributes to the Grammys or R&B award shows which are geared more towards the type of artist she was.

I can see why they did tributes to Michael Jackson and Prince since they had a huge effect on video as an art form and whose videos were constantly played on MTV. But doing a tribute to Aretha makes no sense for a show like the MTV Awards.

Glindathegood said:

I don't really see why the MTV Video Awards felt the need to do a tribute to Aretha in the first place. Aretha was never a video MTV type of artist. Their show appeals to a younger demographic who for the most part have no idea who Aretha is. They should have left tributes to the Grammys or R&B award shows which are geared more towards the type of artist she was.

I can see why they did tributes to Michael Jackson and Prince since they had a huge effect on video as an art form and whose videos were constantly played on MTV. But doing a tribute to Aretha makes no sense for a show like the MTV Awards.

Aretha was played quite a bit on MTV in 1985 & 86. Freeway of Love, Another Night, Jumping Jack Flash, all got play in heavy rotation. Sister are Doing for Themselves (Annie Lennox), Knew You Were Waiting (George Micheal) were in active rotation. She was actually the 5 th Black Female to have 3 videos played in heavy rotation, after Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters, Tina Turner & Janet Jackson.

Graycap23 said:

She is a hack....and has always been so.

She's one of the most successful artists there's ever been. If she's so untalentted how does she has so much longevity and is responsible for creating so many songs people remember?

Clearly, she's a totally different kind of artist than Aretha Franklin. I just think with male artists there's more room for diverse kinds of artists and musical genres and performance and singing styles.

But with women it's more limited. If you don't fit one approved style of belty singing like Aretha, Adele or Whitney, then you are untalented.

I don't think there has ever been an artist who has achieved the level of success that Madonna has whose musical talent is constantly questioned. She has to prove herself over and over again and it's never good enough.

Not to mention the endless sexism and misogny of people who use terms like hoes.

Glindathegood said:

EmmaMcG said:

Glindathegood said:

She's one of the most successful artists there's ever been. If she's so untalentted how does she has so much longevity and is responsible for creating so many songs people remember?

Clearly, she's a totally different kind of artist than Aretha Franklin. I just think with male artists there's more room for diverse kinds of artists and musical genres and performance and singing styles.

But with women it's more limited. If you don't fit one approved style of belty singing like Aretha, Adele or Whitney, then you are untalented.

I don't think there has ever been an artist who has achieved the level of success that Madonna has whose musical talent is constantly questioned. She has to prove herself over and over again and it's never good enough.

Not to mention the endless sexism and misogny of people who use terms like hoes.

In fairness, Michael Jackson was much more successful than Madonna and his actual musical ability has been called into question just as much, if not more than Madonna's. But I understand the point you were making.

Hear, HEAR! Yes, she IS! AND one of the richest entertainers in the history of Music! <3