Beyoncé and JAY-Z performed at Detroit’s Ford Field on Monday night for their OTRII tour, and the singer dedicated the concert to music icon Aretha Franklin, who is reportedly gravely ill.
After performing the opening song with Jay-Z, Beyoncé said: “This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin,” while also saying, “We love you and thank you” #OTII #Detroit
— Ford Field (@fordfield) August 14, 2018
“We love you,” the 22-time Grammy winner said of Frankin before thanking her for “the beautiful music.” According to the Detroit Free Press, when Beyoncé made the dedication, the Queen of Soul’s hometown crowd erupted in cheers.
Aretha Franklin Way was named in the “Respect” singer’s honor in June 2017 and is around the corner from the stadium.
DJ Khaled tribute to Aretha Franklin before exiting the stage on a bird scooter pic.twitter.com/w5WRDAN5GE
— Graham Davis (@grahamdavis) August 14, 2018
DJ Khaled, who opened the show, paid tribute to Franklin playing some of her music before leaving the stage. Other celebrities including Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey and Missy Elliot also shared praise and offered well wishes to the soul singer.
My thoughts, my heart and my prayers are with Aretha Franklin, the greatest singer of all time, and all of her loved ones right now. ❤
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 14, 2018
Praying for the Queen of Soul 🙏🙏 #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5cfNPrQrq3
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 13, 2018
Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin tonight & listening to her music that has been such an important part of our lives the last 50 years. We hope you’ll lift her up by listening and sharing her songs that have meant the most to you.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 14, 2018
Love and prayers for Aretha Franklin. The most soulful angelic voice that ever was. You are the queen and we love you. ❤️
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) August 14, 2018
My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time 🙏🏾 LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music…❤️ https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018