Mary J. Blige has offered a revealing glimpse into her professional relationship with the legendary Aretha Franklin, sharing candid details about their studio sessions and the Queen of Soul's formidable presence. The R&B icon, now 55, first performed alongside Franklin during the celebrated 1998 VH1 Divas Live television special, before collaborating more closely on the track Don't Waste Your Time the following year.
A Daunting First Encounter
During a recent appearance on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, Blige recounted her initial meeting with Franklin at the recording studio. She described an atmosphere of palpable tension, admitting that both she and renowned producer Babyface felt genuinely intimidated when Franklin arrived. "Aretha came in a hoodie, a sweatsuit, with one pant-leg rolled up, like she was coming to fight or something," Blige told Cohen, painting a vivid picture of the encounter.
The singer elaborated on Franklin's distinctive greeting, which initially confused her. "She had on this long trench coat and the hoodie and she was like, 'How you doin? Hey, what's up, Choppy?' I thought [Choppy] was like an insult, but someone said that she was admiring me, like saying that I could sing." Despite this potential compliment, the overall mood remained tense throughout their collaboration.
Studio Conditions and Personal Dynamics
Blige revealed additional peculiarities about their recording session, noting that the studio temperature soared to uncomfortable levels because of Franklin's well-documented aversion to cold environments. "The recording studio was like a thousand degrees," she recalled, highlighting one of the many adjustments required when working with the demanding icon.
Interestingly, Blige mentioned that Franklin developed a rapport with her mother, Cora Blige, during their time together. However, this personal connection didn't soften Franklin's professional demeanour. According to Blige, the Queen of Soul "didn't stop being mean," maintaining her reputation for being challenging to work with despite forming personal bonds.
Franklin's Enduring Legacy
Despite the friction during their collaboration, Blige's respect for Franklin remained evident. She later portrayed jazz legend Dinah Washington in the 2021 Franklin biopic Respect, which featured Jennifer Hudson in the lead role. This demonstrated Blige's continued engagement with Franklin's musical legacy, even years after their direct collaboration.
Aretha Franklin, who passed away in 2018 at age 76 from advanced pancreatic cancer, was celebrated not only for her unparalleled vocal talent but also for her sharp tongue and occasional controversial comments. Throughout her career, she famously directed pointed remarks toward numerous fellow artists including Toni Braxton, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Diana Ross, and Dionne Warwick.
A Fitting Farewell and Complicated Legacy
Franklin's funeral arrangements reflected her monumental status in music history. Her body arrived at Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in a gleaming gold casket for a two-day public viewing. Hundreds of admirers queued to pay their respects to the singer, who was dressed in a striking red frock with matching heels for her final public appearance.
Sabrina Owens, Franklin's niece, explained to The Associated Press that the planning committee aimed to create a send-off that "would match her legacy." This was certainly appropriate for an artist who sold over 75 million records during her career and was consistently ranked as the greatest singer of all time by prestigious publications including Rolling Stone.
The Queen of Soul's passing revealed complications in her personal affairs, as a legal dispute emerged between three of her four sons regarding which of her two handwritten wills should govern her estate distribution. Notably, Franklin never established a formal, typewritten will despite experiencing years of health challenges and attempts to create proper documentation.
Mary J. Blige's recollections provide valuable insight into the complex reality of working with one of music's most formidable talents, balancing frank honesty about the challenges with clear respect for Franklin's unparalleled artistry and enduring cultural impact.
