New York Straphangers Pay Tribute to Queen of Soul with Franklin Street Makeover

The recent death of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has left the world in mourning. The legend succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer on Thursday and reminded us all of the gifts she gave us throughout her incredible career.

People in New York City found interesting ways to pay tribute to the singer, specifically in the subway system. Downtown, the Franklin Street station, as well as the Franklin Avenue stop in Brooklyn, were turned into makeshift memorials as some straphangers added “Aretha” to a few key spots.

While graffiti is usually frowned upon, this time it seemed it was ok:

I'm not a big fan a defacing public property, but I'd let this one stand. https://t.co/Adr6xwlhfc

— 𝙄 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 2020 (@williams1977) August 16, 2018

And the stencil people were pretty impressive with their quick thinking. (Who even has stencils and paint just lying around?!)

I believe in stencil, graffiti, zine people! 👊🏿🌹🖤 https://t.co/C2dh4xqBBL

— gülkan 'noir' (@noirthequeeng) August 17, 2018

Brooklyn County of Kings paying R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the #QueenofSoul Aretha Franklin with temporary street art @BPEricAdams @RobertCornegyJr @cmlauriecumbo @TishJames @RepJeffries @RepYvetteClarke @News12BK @NY1 @bklyner @TIDAL @Daydog @LondellMcMillan @Essence @TheRoot @BKStreetArt pic.twitter.com/asj8v13mGM

— Chris Wallace Way BK (@CWWayBK) August 16, 2018

Even Monica Lewinsky took to Twitter to pay her respects:

r.i.p. 🙏🏻💙🎶 pic.twitter.com/pugwSKCmEp

— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) August 16, 2018

And then even some subway steps got in on the action as more subway riders paid homage to Franklin:

New York City's Franklin Street Subway stop pays homage to the late Aretha Franklin. pic.twitter.com/khxuWwJCra

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 16, 2018

pic.twitter.com/68F8nae60f

— fightthepower (@heathencandor) August 17, 2018

Who knows, maybe the city will agree that this should be a permanent tribute to the Queen:

This should be PERMANENT. https://t.co/bStf4qawHr

— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) August 17, 2018

Franklin has undoubtedly touched the lives of more than she could have ever known with her music. Just leave it to New Yorkers to show their appreciation in special ways. Rest in peace, Ms. Franklin. You will be missed.