Madge: VMA Aretha tribute wasn’t tribute

Madonna justified her love for Aretha Franklin while defending herself against those who trashed her self-centered speech about the soul singer at Monday's MTV Video Music Awards.

The Queen of Pop claimed in a Tuesday Instagram post it wasn't the plan for her to give Franklin, who died last Thursday at 74, a proper tribute.

MTV, Madonna said, asked her to “share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin! I shared a part of my urney and anked etha for iniring me . ... I d not intend do a tribute her. That ould be imssible in 2 inutes.” MTV i not return a request for comment.

Madonna (inset) appeared toward the end of the night in front of a shot of the Queen of Soul. Her speech got off to a worthy start: “Aretha Louise Franklin changed the course of my life.”

But it quickly shifted to Madonna's struggle to make it after leaving Detroit at 18.

“My dream was to make it as a professional dancer. I got cut and rejected from every audition.” She goes on and on, until explaining she got a break after singing Franklin's “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

“None of this could have happened without our lady of soul,” Madonna said. “She led me to where I am today . ... I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering us all.”

But critics noted it took awhile to get to that brief bit of praise.

“Does Madonna know Madonna didn't die?” ESPN's Katie Nolan tweeted.

“Let's find someone who won't make this tribute about themselves,” wrote another tweeter.

Madonna, in her Instagram post, wrote: “Most people have short attention spans, and are so quick to judge. I love Aretha! R.E.S.P.E.C.T.”

The Queen of Pop couldn't help but throw in: “I LOVE my dress!”