Etta James Slams Beyonce, Mocks Barack Obama

Soul singer Etta James has hit out at Beyonce’s rendition of her 1961 hit ‘At Last’ at Barack Obama’s inauguration last month.

Beyonce sang her version of the song as the President and his First Lady Michelle took their first dance at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.

James told the crowd at a recent concert in Seattle that she “can’t stand Beyonce”, adding that she would “get her ass wipped”.

The veteran singer also distanced herself from Obama's presidency, and accused the president of having “big ears”.

A video of James' comments, made at the Paramount Theatre on January 28th, has been obtained by celebrity website TMZ.

She told the crowd: "You guys know your president right? You know, the one with the big ears. Yeah, wait a minute, he ain't my president, he might be yours.

"I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ass whipped. The great Beyonce. Now like I said, she ain't mine. I can't stand Beyonce!

"She had no business up there singing. Singing on a big ole, big ole president day and going be singing my song that I've been singing forever."

Her comments come despite claims from her son, Donto, that James had become “emotional” during Beyonce’s performance.

Beyonce is due to play James in a forthcoming movie entitled Cadillac Records.

As previously reported on Gigwise, the singer fought back tears during an interview shortly after her performance.

“I'm just so proud of my country. There are just certain people in the world that God touches, and [Obama] was born for this,” she said.

CLICK HERE to see the star-studded inauguration ball in full or see below for Beyonce's performance.

President Barack Obama's first dance: