Who Was Nina Simone?
“I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what music is all about…Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important - Nina Simone”
Nina Simone is regarded as one of the most legendary and revered performers of our time.
Her legacy speaks of her duality as a gifted artist and a Civil Rights activist.
Nina Simone, whose original name was Eunice Kathleen Waymon was born on February 21st, 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina.
She was an American singer, songwriter, arranger, and civil rights activist known for creating urgent emotional intensity through her songs of protest, love, and Black empowerment, with a rough-edged voice and in a dramatic style.
Being an exceptionally smart child, Nina Simone’s talent became evident early when she began playing both organ and piano instruments by the ear.
Simone was raised in Christian life with her parents teaching her how to differentiate good from evil.
At just 12 years old, Simone was aware of inequality and systemic racism in America.
She began her vocal career in 1954 in New Jersey, Atlantic City.
Surprisingly, she didn’t do so in a recording studio, but in a nightclub.
This was after receiving threats that she would be fired by the club’s owner if she wouldn’t sing. While Simone didn’t have a number one hit, “I Loves You, Porgy,” released in 1959 was Simone’s highest-charting hit that came second on the U.S. Rhythm and Blues charts. Her popularity continuously increased with gospel and folk music that Simone continued adding to her collection.
Angered by of racism in America by then, Simone chose to leave her country of birth.
Simone had many homes such as Barbados, France, Switzerland, England, and the Netherlands.
There were several sides to Nina Simone that some of her fans never knew. Some of her friends included Malcolm X, David Bowie, and James Baldwin. Furthermore, her career was tempestuous in some way.
Nina and her daughter Lisa Simone
Simone gained notoriety, especially for throwing onstage tantrums, scraping concerts abruptly, and shouting out at her inattentive audience.
“You've got to learn to leave the table. When love's no longer being served" -Nina Simone
In the 1980s, Nina Simone’s vocal “My Baby Just Cares for Me” aired in a Chanel commercial whose aim was to promote Chanel line of beauty products.
But to Simone, the commercial increased her fame, especially across new and younger listeners.
A similar rebirth happened in the 21st century when her 1965 recording titled “Sinnerman” got rehashed.
Simone was battling cancer, but despite her deteriorating health, she continued to tour several places and perform. Some of her outstanding compositions include Mississippi Goddam, Do I Move You? Flomela, Get By and Ain’t Got No, I Got Life. Others included To Be Young, Gifted and Black, Four Women, Under the Lowest, Plain Gold Ring, and When I Was in My Prime, to mention but a few.
Nina Simone managed to maintain a devoted global following until her death a decade ago in 2003 at Carry-le-Rouet, France. Besides being an outstanding performer and songwriter, Nina Simone is remembered as a Civil Rights activist who helped in shaping American history.
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