Remember way back when Aretha Franklin branded it “a cheap shot for controversy” when Beyonce introduced fellow performer Tina Turner as “the queen” during the Grammy Awards?

Now Tina is responding to Aretha’s flippage of the lip in a new interivew with USA Today. Says Tina: “She’s the queen of soul, and I’m the queen of rock ‘n’ roll. There were so many kings and queens there that night. Her ego must be so big to think she was the only one. That’s how queens are!”

Not one to take a battle (or even a joke in this case) sitting down, Aretha was prompt to issue yet another statement regarding Tina’s statement.

Says Aretha:

“I have always appreciated what Tina Turner has to offer and had quietly cheered her on after Ike and her subsequent success. However, with respect to her statement concerning my ego (in saying, ‘Her ego must be so big to think she was the only one … that’s how queens are’) clearly she was talking about herself as she described herself as the ‘Queen of Rock’ and saying ‘that’s what Queens do’ — particularly since she does not have a clue as to who I am in view of the fact that we have never met.

“I never figured her to resort to tacky press just to sell a few tickets. I understand and I know that the concert market is down where ticket sales are concerned. I really had put her in a different class — higher than that.

“Finally, no one has been more gracious or complimentary to their peers than I have and I am confident and secure enough to do so, unlike some others. I wish Ms. Turner all the best, as I always have. Perhaps one day we will meet.”

We hate to go there, but we’re going there: Team Aretha or Team Tina?