By Amy Faith Lionheart

She’s got style, she’s got fashion sense, and she works well under pressure—Aretha Franklin has truly withstood the test of time and is not only a great performer, but she is now a Diva of the 21^{st century.}

It seems like the world’s Queen of Soul has got it all. Franklin’s first studio album in over six years, “A Rose is Still a Rose,” is a passionate, fresh, brilliant mix of energy, talent, and soulful blues. She does it all. From gospel to dance, from Pavaroti to P' Diddy, Franklin proves that she is a power hitter who won’t be knocked down!

Produced by award winning writer/producer Sean “P' Diddy” Combs, Lauryn Hill, of the Fugees and Jermaine Dupri among others, “A Rose” provides enough force to lure even the youngest members of the Hip-Hop and dance generation.

1998 proved to be a banner year for Franklin. In April, she performed at New York City’s Beacon Theater for VH1 Honors concert called “Divas Live,” featuring remarkable performances from fellow chart toppers, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain, Celine Dion and Carol King. And in May she became VH1’s Artist of the month.

Franklin is the first female performer ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is the winner of seventeen Grammy Awards in 1994.

Throughout the years, no matter what card the music industry or life itself dealt Aretha Franklin she never lost her inimitable sense of self, never change for anyone, and most of all she never faltered. Since the late 50’s Franklin has continued to amaze industry critics and fans alike. She has inspired millions. Generation after generation has cried out “Aretha, Aretha!” Now this woman truly gets RESPECT!

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Franklin was raised by her father a well-known minister, and her aunt, the legendary gospel singer Clara Ward. Franklin grew up singing in her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church in Motown. Her trade marks bluesy, gospel, scat melodies almost seem to have been inherited from the church.

Since her teens, family friends encouraged her recording career, and when a producer heard her sing he called her “an untutored genius, the best natural singer since Billie Holiday.” Since then her career skyrocketed.

With classics like “Respect,” “You Make Me Feel,” “Chain of Fools,” (1967), “Ain’t Nothin Like The Real Thing,” (1974), and “Freeway of Love,” (1983), among many others as well as endless collaborations with some of the decades most famous performers Franklin makes her listener want to get down and shout out her lyrics like a hungry baby cries for the soothing nourishment of her mother’s milk. Franklin sings to a younger woman, “Baby girl, you’re still a flower…He can make you and then break you/Darling, you hold the power.”

This year, with a new release, a great outlook, and years of experience behind her, Aretha Franklin is ready for the world! She’s embarking on a world tour, which took New York audiences by storm July 24th at Radio City Hall and the rest of the US throughout the year.

Aretha is ready, Aretha is set. And Aretha is going to make a big splash in the music world. You’d better be ready for her! “A Rose is Still a Rose,” is in the stores now. It better be in your disc player by the time you get home! Buy it! —3 1/2