People thought Nas and Jay-Z's beef was epic? Try Tina Turner vs. Aretha Franklin.

It all started at the Grammys, when Aretha Franklin expressed her displeasure with Beyonce's introduction of Tina Turner, during which she referred to Turner as "the Queen." Obviously, Franklin is the only queen, and took Beyonce's innocent intro as a personal slight. Tina Turner weighed in on the old controversy recently while she was doing press for her new tour. She told USA Today: "Aretha has always been like that. We've always accepted that from her. 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."

Aretha didn't like that too much. In a statement to the same newspaper, the Queen of Soul said, "I never figured [Tina Turner] 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."

If one of them comes out with a mixtape filled with battle ballads, we'll know this thing has gone too far. Read Aretha's full statement after the jump.

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."