Who Is Nina Simone - 1444 Words

The only thing more powerful in mobilizing symbols, sentiments, and sensibilities than popular culture, is personal and shared experiences. What is so potent about pop culture however, is the ability of its participants to share their personal experiences to audiences than can both empathize and relate to the realities these artists present. This extended period of the civil rights and black power era can arguably be defined as the mobilization of the larger public by popular black figures whose individual charismas and drive inspired collective action. Some of these figures were exclusively political, many of which prominent intellects of race academia and/or known for their discourses that captivated thousands. And then there were figures that used their influence as musicians or writers who, with access beyond those with a conscious interest in politics, could incite people to think and reevaluate their lived realities through song and performance. Nina Simone is perhaps the most politically significant figure of the latter group, as she not only actively participated as a proponent of civil rights efforts, but became a pioneer in black power and feminist ideology. Nina Simone transcended the typical ideas of blackness through her music, and used this position of respectability to further more radical, advanced ideas of black liberation that would make up much of the rhetoric for the 1970s and beyond. Before Nina Simone was an activist, or icon, or black power leader, sheShow MoreRelatedThe Work Of Nina Simone1160 Words   |  5 PagesNina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, February 21, 1933 in North Carolina. The sixth of eight children, she began playing the piano at the age of three and showed extreme talent for classical music. Due to the poverty of her family, her mother worked as a maid. Nina showed her talent to her mother’s employer, who recognized her great ability and started a fund to pay for Nina’s piano lessons and early education. When she was twelve she performed a classical piano recital. Her parents hadRead More Nina Simone Essay1320 Words   |  6 PagesEunice Kathleen Waymon born February 21, 1933. She was the sixth of eight children born to John - an entertainer turned family man - and Mary Kate - who became a church minister - a poor southern black family that lived in Tryon, North Carolina. Her father played piano, guitar, and harmonica; her mother played piano and sang. Her brothers and sisters all played piano and sang in the church choir, gospel groups, glee clubs and social events. She started learning music the natural way by watchingRead MoreThe Great Leaders Of The Civil Rights Movement1563 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican Revolution, the people that usually come to mind are George Washington, Paul Revere, and Thomas Jefferson. What about the people who were injured, scared and killed because of this bloody war? They seem to be forgotten until they are highlighted once again. Another example of a person that was not really highlighted for their actions is Nina Simone. She made an impact on the Civil Right Movement that not many other artist or celebrity would have done. When you think of the Civil RightsRead MoreAnalysis Of Mississippi Goddam By Nina Simone And Dear Mr. President Essay1449 Words   |  6 PagesDear Mr. President The two songs I am comparing for this comparative essay are Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone and Dear Mr. President by Alecia Beth Moore, more commonly known to the public as P!nk. Nina Simone was born in 1933, and her musical talent was first discovered when she was only three years old, when she learned how to play the piano solely by ear. In 1964 Nina Simone released Mississippi Goddam and to this day it is known to be one of her most famous protest songs. P!nkRead MoreAnalysis Of Leslie Bricusses Feeling Good853 Words   |  4 PagesCrowd, the song â€Å"Feeling Good† has been covered by dozens of notable artists. Among them are Nina Simone and Avicii featuring the vocals of Audra Mae. The song originates from a scene in the musical sung by the character â€Å"The Negro† after he wins the game [of life] in spite of the abuse and racism he experiences at the hands of the musical’s main characters. In the same year of its Broadway premiere, Nina Simone recorded her own version of the song for her album I Put a Spell on You. Simone’s iconicRead MoreRace As A Social Construct1057 Words   |  5 Pagesthis changed the representation of POC in films? The upcoming biography, drama, Nina (2016) has been the centre of much controversy and has consequently, brought about conversations regarding shadism and blackface. In the trailer for the film, actress Zoe Saldana plays Nina alongside her onscreen personal assistant David Oyelowo. The trailer received a large amount of criticism due to the casting of Zoe Saldana, who is half Dominican and half Puerto Rican. The actress also appears to be wearing aRead MoreEssay on Civil Rights, Equality and the Music of Nina Simone2399 Words   |  10 Pages Nina Simone used music to challenge, provoke, incite, and inform the masses during the period that we know as the Civil Rights Era. In the songs† Four Women†, â€Å"Young Gifted and Black†, and Mississippi God Damn†, Nina Simone musically maps a personal intersectionality as it relates to being a black American female artist. Kimberly Crenshaw defines intersectionality as an inability for black women to separate r ace, class and gender. Nina Simone’s music directly addresses this paradigm. Read MoreThe Most Iconic Civil Rights Movement Influencers Of All Time By Billie Holiday1590 Words   |  7 Pages1933, Eunice Kathleen Waymon, known as Nina Simone, would eventually become an American pioneer in music. Simones’ work left behind an extraordinary artist whose work left behind a legacy of love, abolition, and affection. At the measly age of 3, it was evident by Simone’s piano skills that she was bound to be a talented musician. Nina Simone’s childhood was charming and filled with musical genius. She began to play piano at her father’s church for some time. Nina dreamed of becoming a pioneer AfricanRead MoreAnalyzing 50 s And 60s American Society Through Music1778 Words   |  8 PagesAmerican society through music The two songs that I am going to analyze Is Nina Simone â€Å"To Be Young, Gifted and Black,† and Gil Scott Heron â€Å"Whitey on the Moon†. I will view both of these songs in terms of there contributions to the counter hegemonic force fighting against the dominant white supremacist ideology that was prevalent during the 50’s and 60’s. To give some quick context about Nina Simone, she was a genuine musical artist who routinely recorded music that ranged across tunes from all genres.Read MoreThe, Pastel Blues, By Nina Simone1310 Words   |  6 PagesNina Simone’s 8th studio album, Pastel Blues, is an album featuring a fusion of sistering genres: blues, jazz, soul, folk, and gospel. Nina, being the brilliant arranger she was, is known for her ability to blend these genres into her signature sound. A sound most struggle to classify due to its avant garde nature. She got her start in music by playing the piano in church. One evening her church had a recital where her talents were recognised. Which lead to her starting piano lessons. Nina and her