Barack Obama, Ariana Grande, and more remember Aretha Franklin

The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 16, 2018

The 3 seconds it takes for #ArethaFranklin to oooooze out the words “Sittin around..” is as pure & creative & as honest as any singer I’ve ever seen when a performance goes beyond mere entertainment. THIS is what we need to get back to. where raw genius rises above marketing strategy & monetary reach & “likes” (because let’s face it, look at the Billboard singles/Spotify singles/ITunes singles—-could she even find space to develop this talent? Or just give up & get a reality show and pray this works out? Now figure out the legions of talent that we either dismissed or passed on today or even the mesmerizing talent we’ve been shown near this level that can’t even begin to thrive in this environment without some angle) for those not in the know & wanna know, with the exception of her yet to be seen Sidney Pollack documentary Amazing Grace (her best captured 2 hours 1972 in chu’ch, in her zone in south central Los Angeles—-w The Rolling Stones sitting IN THE DECON SECTION)—-this Performance at the #MontreuxJazzFestival in 71 is as good as it gets: as a singer, as a bandleader (midshow she calls an audible and the brass section just gives up playing & accepts they are just happy to have best seats in the house), as a piano player—-so underrated!—and the fact she has her ace band in tow too (#KingCurtis as MD & #BernardPurdie on drizzums)—-this is her most magical effortless skillful scientific talents on display. Long Live #QueenAretha.

A post shared by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Aug 16, 2018 at 7:49am PDT

Rest easy #ARETHAFRANKLIN I imagine u in heaven performing & still making people souls move🙌🏾 this was my aunt favorite record #RockSteady you will always be the Queen of Soul you been that before many of us were born! Thank you for giving us LEGENDARY TIMELESS music 🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/bEueBCLGJ9

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 16, 2018

In Moonlight, there’s only one song that plays twice, in two different time periods — ETERNAL ♥️ pic.twitter.com/XX2ZHHssbt

— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) August 16, 2018

forever ♡ pic.twitter.com/E4JopV0ffT

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin’s contributions toward the civil rights movement shouldn’t go unnoticed. She helped activists post bail, supported organizers financially, toured with MLK across the U.S. #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/lV7QpwjyPL

— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 16, 2018

Today we've lost one of the world's most wonderful singers, Aretha Franklin.

Her music is moving and full of hope. Respect was an inspirational anthem in the civil rights and feminist movements.

Listen to her live at Filmore West, California.https://t.co/mHgiuiAPXg

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) August 16, 2018

Queen... My Queen. pic.twitter.com/6olvvLPISd

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) August 16, 2018

Rest in peace Aretha. ❤ pic.twitter.com/QT7HeY5SIf

— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 16, 2018

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 QUEEN 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Rest In Peace... your contribution to the world is untouchable... prayers to the family during this difficult time #arethafranklin #rip #queenofsoul

A post shared by Q-Tip The Abstract (@qtiptheabstract) on Aug 16, 2018 at 7:55am PDT

Queen of Black Excellence, may you rest in Black Power. You fought for us not only through the activism in your voice but the sheer power of your existence. May the light of your torch shine in the hands of our future

“You got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.” pic.twitter.com/BI16v11wMC

— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) August 16, 2018

You’ve given us timeless music that will forever live in our hearts. You were truly one of a kind. May you Rest In Peace Beautiful Queen. #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/tSXoSjAg0J

— Ciara (@ciara) August 16, 2018

Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018

NEW: Barack and Michelle Obama on the passing of Aretha Franklin: "America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring...Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all." https://t.co/H9zjSLjzUV pic.twitter.com/1Iy4CReDcJ

— ABC News (@ABC) August 16, 2018

I have loved Aretha Franklin’s music my entire life, and her music has played in our audience for 15 years. My heart goes out to her family. #RESPECT #QueenofSoul

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2018

From the time that Dinah Washington 1st told me that Aretha was the “next one” when she was 12-years old, until the present day, Aretha Franklin set the bar & she did it with the professionalism, class, grace, & humility that only a true Queen could... 📸: Hassan pic.twitter.com/IjT6I7NH1D

— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul. The Icon. The ultimate singers' singer. The greatest singer and musician of my lifetime. The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me. You've inspired millions everywhere yet never left home, never left church. Today the entire world mourns your home-going and celebrates all the brilliance you left behind. I will forever cherish the moments I spent in your presence. Your indelible impact was earned not only by your incomparable voice but by your bigger than life personality, wit and humor. I say a BIG prayer for you. You will forever have all our RESPECT. Love, Mariah ♥️

A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Aug 16, 2018 at 9:45am PDT