NEW YORK — The fellas love Aretha Franklin: Denzel Washington helped the Queen of Soul celebrate her 72nd birthday in style, and Andre 3000 and Babyface are working on new music for the icon.
Franklin held a small, exclusive party here Saturday for her birthday, which is Tuesday. Washington entered the Ritz-Carlton Hotel quietly, although the crowd got excited after realizing it was the Oscar winner under a baseball cap.
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Franklin thanked the actor for attending. Just hours earlier, she saw him onstage in the Broadway play “A Raisin In the Sun.”
The Queen of Soul’s longtime musical collaborator, Clive Davis, also attended.
The singer was all smiles at the event. She said in an interview that she’s working on new music with rapper Andre 3000 and singer-songwriter Babyface.
When asked what she wants for her birthday, Franklin said. “I’m looking for a record deal for my granddaughter Victorie and my son Kecalf.” They both performed recently at the BET Honors special, which paid tribute to Franklin.
Earlier this month, Franklin performed at the White House alongside Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott and other soul singers.
“What a shoutin’ good time we had,” she exclaimed. “The White House is still rocking!”
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