Which American singer is widely known as the "Queen of Soul"?

The American singer widely known as the “Queen of Soul” is Aretha Franklin.

Franklin developed her powerful voice through gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father, minister C. L. Franklin, was a prominent figure. She signed with Columbia Records at 18, but her career reached a new level after she joined Atlantic Records in 1966.

Her Atlantic recordings produced defining songs such as “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Her gospel-rooted phrasing, emotional intensity, and command of soul, R&B, blues, and pop made her one of the most influential vocalists in modern music.

The nickname was famously associated with radio personality Pervis Spann, who introduced Franklin as the “Queen of Soul” during a 1960s performance in Chicago. She is sometimes confused with other celebrated singers such as Diana Ross or Gladys Knight, but Franklin is the canonical answer to this title.