Nina Simone: One Of The Most Powerful Singer

Brandi Rash
Angela Dowd
Women in Humanities
5 November 2013
Nina Simone
Nina Simone was one of the most powerful singers of not only her time, but of all time. Her music made people think, change and copy. In her music, she made contributions to the civil rights movement. She used and touched so many genres of music from jazz all the way to modern day rap She had influenced countless artists and passed without any acknowledgment or fanfare deserving of such an amazing artist.
Eunice Kathleen Waymon was born February 21, 1933, in Tyron North Carolina. She was an especially brilliant and talented child. Eunice picked up music very easily and even as a small child after hearing a hymn only once could sing it perfectly. She was able to
Mrs. Massinovitch was so proud of her talents she organized a recital to show of Eunice talents. Her parents very proudly sat in the first row; however, before the recital started a white couple approached them for their seats. As was the law back then the Waymon’s got up to move, at that point Eunice stated in front of everyone she would not play if they were made to move. The white couple sat elsewhere and her parents visibly embarrassed took their seats and watched Eunice play. . After this Eunice would say later looking back, “All of the sudden it seemed a different world and nothing was easy
Many of her songs may have appeared to be filled with anger but many of her songs just have soul and no anger for example “I Hold No Grudge” The words are, ”I hold no grudge/ There is no resentment und’neath/I’ll extend the laurel wreath and we’ll be friends.” Brooks also calls Simone “the cultural arm of the civil rights"
Nina Simone passed away April 21, 2003 in a small village in the south of France. “Her death didn’t cause much stir in the media European or American. It was said merely that a bad tempered but successful diva from the world of jazz had passed away. That was about it” “On May 18th 2003 the Curtis Institute of music posthumously awarded Nina an honorary diploma for her contribution to the art of music.” Nina was aware of the schools plan before her death but her family accepted the honor for her. It almost seems like at long last Simone achieved her ultimate goal.
To see what kind of impact Nina Simone had on the world you need only look at today’s popular artist from Norah Jones, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill and even Marilyn Manson, “claim her as an influence.” Her songs have been rerecorded over and over many people are fans and don’t even know they are listening to a Nina Simone song. To have such a huge impact on such wide variety of artists is outstanding and hard pressed to