August 17, 2018
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube
Ariana Grande performs "Natural Woman" with The Roots.
Ariana Grande performed alongside The Roots Thursday night to pay a special tribute to the late Aretha Franklin.
Grande appeared on "The Tonight Show" in the midst of a press tour for her new album, "Sweetner," which dropped Friday. Alongside Questlove and other members of the show's in-house band, she performed "Natural Woman."
The song was originally recorded by Franklin in 1967 and went on to become one of her most eponymous hits. Franklin performed the song more recently, in 2015, at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Since Franklin's passing was announced Thursday, many musicians, celebrities, and other public figures have paid tribute to the trail-blazing soul singer on social media, including Questlove.
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… https://t.co/LLlXHVTbR5
— Glasper’s Beef Patty Chef (@questlove) August 16, 2018
It’s so weird to see the “normal news cycle” going on for #QueenAretha, as she should get her just due—-but part of me don’t even feel safe taking an eye of “them” for even a half hour. THIS is what I hate about these times we in.
— Glasper’s Beef Patty Chef (@questlove) August 16, 2018
Just to let the press know: y’all can also mention jams like #GivingHimSomethingHeCanFeel & #JumpToIt & #DayDreaming & #RockSteady & #GetItRight & #UntilYouComeBackToMe... not just #QueenAreatha’s pop jawns
— Glasper’s Beef Patty Chef (@questlove) August 16, 2018
Questlove also noted Fox News' error in using a photo of Patti LaBelle to honor Franklin.
the disrespect https://t.co/G8rUMKPyTP
— Glasper’s Beef Patty Chef (@questlove) August 16, 2018
Shortly before her passing, it was reported that Franklin was "gravely ill" and surrounded by family and friends in her hometown of Detroit. The "Queen of Soul" was 76.
Check out Grande's full performance with The Roots in the clip below.
