Civil Rights activist and singer-songwriter Nina Simone has been revisited in a tribute of stars collaborating to cover her music with the album titled Nina Revisited: A Tribute to Nina Simone. Lauryn Hill’s cover of “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” was released today and is included on the album set to be released July 10.
Hill contributed six covers for and co-produced the compilation acknowledging the late Simone and her immense contribution to the music industry and the Civil Rights Movement. The collection has been put together for Netflix’s June release of the upcoming documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?. Hill’s haunting cover of “Feeling Good” was released last week and like the first release, she doesn’t disappoint with “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.” Usher, Mary J. Blige, Common, and Simone’s daughter Lisa are a few of the collaborators to look out for on the upcoming album.
Simone led a rough life, growing to stardom in a world separated and not equal. Coming to fruition during the civil rights movement, Simone’s career was the soundtrack of the time. Her soulful voice that grates on each of her hit tracks will forever be remembered and is now being revisited in the best way our generation knows how. Known for both her poignant ballads and soulful chart toppers, Simone is forever remembered as the voice of a troubling time.
Hill is an activist all her own, making a name for herself as a proclaimed feminist, equal rights activist as well as a hip hop prophet. Hill has reflected on Simone’s influence, seeing as it had such an impact on her life and culture.
Because I fed on this music, both hers and lovers like her, like my basic food, I believed I always had a right to have a voice. Her example is clearly a form of sustenance to a generation needing to find theirs. What a gift.
Simone’s influence is still going strong in this day and age, with her songs still being covered and recognized. Covers of “Feeling Good” and “I Put A Spell On You” are as common on singing reality television shows as any recent hits. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, with a documentary and a cover album immortalizing this generations love for the late Simone, her relevance is still ever-present.
You can listen to Lauryn Hill’s cover of “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” below. Read more about the album release and collaborators in this Rolling Stone article.
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