Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is a singer, songwriter and an American pianist, she often referred to as the "Queen of Soul." Although known for soul music, Franklin is also known for other genres such as jazz, rock, blues, pop, R & B and gospel music. In 2008, the U.S. music magazine Rolling Stone in Franklin voted No. 1 in the list of the greatest singers of all time.

Aretha Franklin is one of the singer won several Grammy Awards, with 20 Grammys to date, in which a living legend and Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. She has 20 songs for No. 1 in the Billboard R & B Singles, two of them for No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100: "Respect" (1967) and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) "(1987), a song duet with George Michael. Since 1961, she has 45 songs in the top 40 of Billboard Hot 100.

In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to the Hall of Fame Rock and Roll Reputation. She is also one of the singer performing in the inauguration of President Barack Obama.