Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone

Nina Simone was a singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist who is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Known for her powerful voice and passionate performances, Simone used her music to speak out against racism and injustice.

Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone

by Nadine Cohodas

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	28640 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	56 pages

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Simone was born Eunice Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina, in 1933. She began playing the piano at the age of six and sang in her church choir. As a teenager, she moved to Philadelphia to study music at the Juilliard School. After graduation, she worked as a classical pianist and singer in nightclubs in Atlantic City and New York City.

In the early 1960s, Simone began to incorporate civil rights songs into her repertoire. Her song "Mississippi Goddam" became an anthem of the civil rights movement. Simone also sang at rallies and marches, and she was a vocal supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Turbulent Reign

Simone's outspokenness and activism often led to controversy. She was banned from performing in South Africa because of her support for the anti-apartheid movement. She was also criticized by some African Americans for being too radical.

In the late 1960s, Simone's career began to decline. She struggled with mental health issues and drug addiction. She also had a falling out with her manager, who stole her money and sold her music rights.

Simone spent the last years of her life in poverty. She died in her home in France in 2003 at the age of 70.

Legacy

Nina Simone is remembered as one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. Her music continues to inspire and move people around the world. She is a symbol of the civil rights movement and a reminder of the power of art to speak out against injustice.

In 2015, Simone was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Her music has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry.