Madonna’s Tribute To Aretha Franklin Enrages People.

Madonna was tasked with offering a tribute to Aretha Franklin at last night’s VMAs.  And you guys, it’s like she forgot that she was offering tribute to anyone, because her entire speech was about herself, with like a tiny sprinkle of Aretha.  For real.

Also, her outfit. I don’t even know.

Since that video doesn’t include her entire “tribute” here’s a transcript.

‘Aretha Louise Franklin changed the course of my life. I left Detroit when I was 18. Thirty-five dollars in my pocket. My dream was to make it as a professional dancer. After years of struggling and being broke, I decided to go to audition for musical theater; I heard the pay was better. I had no training or dreams ever, ever becoming a singer, but I went for it. I got cut and rejected from every audition. Not tall enough. Not blends-in enough…

‘Not pretty enough, not enough, enough. Then, one day, a French disco sensation was looking for backup singers and dancers for a world tour. I thought, why not? I could go back to getting robbed, held at gunpoint and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third-floor walkup that was a crack house. I am a rebel, hard. So I set up for the audition. Two large French record producers sat in the empty theater, daring me to be amazing. The dance audition went well…

‘They asked if I had sheet music and a song prepared. I panicked. I overlooked this important part of the process. I had to think fast. My next meal was on the line. Fortunately, one of my favorite albums was Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin. I blurted out. “You make me feel… you make me feel like an actual woman.” Two French guys shouted at me. “You know, by Aretha Franklin.” They looked over at the pianist. [I said] “I don’t need sheet music, I know every word. I know the song…

‘I will sing it a cappella.” I could see they didn’t take me seriously. Why should they? Some skinny-ass while girl is going to come up here and belt out a song from one of the greatest soul singers ever, a cappella? I said, “Bitch, I’m Madonna.” No, I didn’t. Just kidding. I wasn’t “Madonna” yet. I don’t know who I was. I don’t know what came over me. I walked over and started. When I was finished, I was drenched in nerve sweat. You know what that nerve sweat?…

‘They said, “We will call you one day, maybe soon.” Weeks went by. No phone call. Finally, the phone rang. It was one of the producers: “We don’t think you are right for this job.” “Why are you calling me?” He replied, “We think you have great potential. You are rough around the edges. We want to bring you to Paris and make you a star…

‘We will put you in a studio, with the great Giorgio Moroder.” I had no idea who that was, but I wanted to live in Paris and I wanted to eat some food. So, that was the beginning of my journey as a singer. I left for Paris, but I came back a few months because I had not earned the life I was living. It felt wrong. They were good people. I wanted to write my own songs and be a musician, not a puppet. I needed to go home and learn guitar. That is what I did. And the rest is history…

‘So, you are probably all wondering why I am telling you this story. There is a reason, because none of this would have happened, could have happened, without our lady of soul. She led me to where I am today. And I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight. In this room tonight. And I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen.’

She’s getting backlash.

Aretha in heaven sitting on her throne looking down at Madonna like Bitch did You die or me?

Aretha or Madonna #VMAS pic.twitter.com/L7Ibsu86Xj

— D.T. (@Darlene26811165) August 21, 2018

did Madonna just had the audacity to culturally appropriate clothing of the berber tribe of North Africa/Morocco omg??? #Madonna pic.twitter.com/p7OMzhTBHf

— Josephine ★ ♎🌙 (@Danbaishi) August 21, 2018

@Madonna please have two seats. You couldn’t hold the skillet Aretha make cornbread in, You are so self absorbed they have toilet paper with your face on it. I hope Aretha reaches out and slaps you back to Detroit.

— LifesSweetIndulgence (@blk24ktxt2) August 21, 2018

Madonna did the tribute speech for Aretha Franklin. Madonna did the tribute performance for Prince. Madonna did the tribute speech for Michael Jackson…why? Who keeps thinking its a good idea to hire Madonna to eulogize Black artists who have passed away?

— LEFT⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) August 21, 2018

"I hope the VMAs plan to issue a public apology for allowing Madonna to disrespect Aretha Franklin's legacy like that." https://t.co/zvFS6kgNaV

— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) August 21, 2018

So there you have it. This year’s VMA controversy.