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    National Geographic Reacts to 'Genius: Aretha' Boycott Call by Aretha Franklin's Son: It's A Tribute

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    National Geographic

    Kecalf Franklin has previously slammed the producers behind the eight-part series, dedicated to the late Queen of Soul, for pushing the project through without their consent.

    Mar 18, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    National Geographic is acknowledging complaint made by Aretha Franklin’s youngest son over “Genius: Aretha”. Days away from the premiere of the eight-part series dedicated to the late Queen of Soul, the TV network issued a statement in response to Kecalf Franklin’s online tirade that called for boycott.

    “We received the message from the family, we hear them and acknowledge their concern for Ms. Franklin’s legacy,” a representative for the network told The Root. “We think we have a shared goal here – to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Aretha Franklin. We can tell you that everyone who worked on ‘Genius: Aretha’ approached telling her story with the intention to respect Ms. Franklin in every aspect of the series and in every decision we made.”

    “The studio worked diligently to attain the endorsement of Aretha’s estate, which we are grateful to have. We worked with many people who knew Ms. Franklin – from Clive Davis to members of her family’s estate – to make sure we told her story in an honest and authentic way,” the rep further assured. “This series is called ‘Genius’ – it is a tribute to Aretha’s Genius – something we hope we can all celebrate. One of the comments from a guest attending our premiere last week was: ‘Aretha lived so much life… she needs 100 biopics!’ We can’t say it any better!”

    On Monday, March 15, executive producer Suzan-Lori Parks issued similar statement. “As the showrunner of ‘Genius: Aretha,’ I can tell you that every single day (and twice on Sunday!) – through COVID, social unrest, and every other challenge we faced – our intention was to respect Ms. Franklin in every aspect of our show and in every decision we made,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright stressed.

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    “As ‘The Queen,’ she is deserving of every single celebration of her life that the world can muster,” Suzan, who also serves as the series’ head writer, further pointed out. “And, on a personal note, as a Black American woman, I was taught at a very young age that soul is universal. Our series is all about soul, and we are honoring the life and soul of Aretha Franklin.”

    Back in mid-February, Kecalf took aim at the producers of “Genius: Aretha” for pushing through the project without his family concent. In an all-caps post, he declared, “The Franklin family ‘is not’ in support of the (Aretha Franklin National Geographic) ‘Genius’ series!!! The deal was pushed through without our consent!!!”

    Kecalf went on to beg “true fans” not to support the show. Nevertheless, he did note that his post “does not reflect our feelings toward any of the actors/actresses as we know they are just doing their jobs.”

    “Genius: Aretha” will start airing on March 21. It is directed by Anthony Hemingway, who also serves as executive-producer along with Ron Howard and Brian Glazer. Cynthia Erivo is taking the lead role of Aretha. A third installment of the “Genius” series, it comes on the heels of its coverage on Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso.

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      Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston Believed to Still Help Narada Michael in Recording Studio

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      WENN/Ivan Nikolov/Avalon

      The legendary musician and producer claims he still feels the presence of the late soul stars while making new music, revealing which of his songs were guided by the two.

      Oct 16, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston are still with their longtime collaborator Narada Michael Walden when he’s recording new music.
      The legendary musician and producer admits he can feel the presence of the late soul stars in the studio, and Whitney actually led him to her version of “Higher Love”, which became a dance music hit last year.
      “She channelled me and she said, ‘Go in the vault and let’s put Higher Love out’,” Narada tells WENN. “It happened many years ago, but I got it out of the vault and messed with it and put a new vibe with it and (DJ) Kygo put his vibe on it and bam, it was a smash.”
      “I like being in touch with people I love and keep that feeling. It’s a psychic bond.”

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      Meanwhile, Aretha’s spirit inspired him to write “Aretha Dances In Heaven” for his new album.
      “When Aretha Franklin passed away it was very moving to my heart,” he explains. “I’ll never forget when I first met her in the studio and looked at her – she was so alive and you could see the fire in her eyes.”
      “She came to me in this song. I talk to her all the time as a matter of fact. I just got a vibe of what it would feel like for her to go into heaven and all the people who were in heaven, how they would love and embrace her and be happy to welcome her. And we on earth are keeping our connection with her and wanting to stay with her by playing her music and still loving her music.”
      “The song is a dedication of love. I have a little thing (recording) of her saying, ‘I am a bad sista’ and I thought, ‘Let’s open the album with this’. The connection is so strong that no matter where she is I’m still loving her and I care about Aretha Franklin. I know she’s into everything I’m doing.”
      “If I ask her, ‘What do you think about this?’ she’ll tell me. It’s my inner spirit hearing her and my inner spirit having a knowingness of what she would love and what she approves of and what she likes. And she likes me keeping her in my mind. She likes me talking about her.”

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      Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect' Pushed Back to January 2021

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      MGM

      Directed by Liesl Tommy, the forthcoming movie will star Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson, the latter of whom will take on the role of Aretha.
      Jul 23, 2020
      AceShowbiz – The release of Jennifer Hudson’s Aretha Franklin biopic has been pushed back so the film can make a big splash in cinemas over the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday weekend in January 2021.
      The film, “Respect”, was scheduled to arrive in select theaters as a limited release on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020, so Hudson’s performance and the movie would be eligible for Academy Awards consideration, but now the Oscars and voting dates have been rescheduled, studio bosses have decided to roll out the biopic on January 15.
      The much-anticipated movie, directed by Liesl Tommy, also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans and Mary J. Blige.
      The first trailer for “Respect”, which aired during the virtual BET Awards last month, (June 2020), has received rave reviews.
      Franklin handpicked Oscar winner Hudson to portray her in the film before her death in 2018.

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      Solo Version of Aretha Franklin's 'Never Gonna Break My Faith' Released on Juneteenth

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      Speaking about the late Queen of Soul’s previously unreleased song, Bryan Adams reveals that it had been sitting on his computer for years before he heard that Clive Davis was making a film of her life.
      Jun 20, 2020
      AceShowbiz – A previously unreleased version of Aretha Franklin’s “Never Gonna Break My Faith” has dropped to mark the 155th anniversary of the end of slavery in America.
      The track, originally released as a duet with Mary J. Blige in 2006 as part of the soundtrack for the movie “Bobby”, was released on Friday (June 19) as part of America’s Juneteenth celebrations.
      The new version of the Bryan Adams song features the late Queen of Soul singing with The Boys Choir of Harlem.
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      “Run to You” singer Adams reveals he had Aretha’s solo version of the tune on his computer for years.
      “When the song was demoed, I told the producers that Aretha would be the one to sing this – and sing it she did,” he said in a statement. “This solo version has been sitting on my computer for years, and when I heard Clive (Davis) was making a film on Aretha’s life, I sent this version to him. The world hasn’t heard her full performance and it really needed to be heard. I’m so glad it’s being released, the world needs this right now.”

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