"Nina Simone's 'Four Women'"

     May I just intrude everyone's life right now and scold a huge percentage of you for not allowing your ears to experience the brutal and impeccably beautiful talent of a group of women that possess a ridiculous amount of soul? I'm doing it anyway. If you're not aware of Nina Simone, I deeply suggest you reevaluate your music life!!! We have been graced with singers from previous decades that tell better stories through their songs than stories told around a fire like Etta James, Bessie Smith, Patti Paige, Josephine Baker, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, Anita Baker, and of course, Nina Simone (JUST TO MENTION A FEW...don't get too rowdy)! Anyway, I'd been brought up on songs before and during my time from every genre, and Nina Simone was one of the few soul artists who forcefully made room for themselves to be situated in every one of my playlists. Some years prior, I'd been introduced to Nina Simone's "Four Women". "Four Women" told the stories of four different women with different backgrounds. Different and deep enough to put a lump in your throat. These women varied in complexion, hair type and texture, feel, emotion, and tale, but they were African American...and they were WOMEN...sisters even. They contributed to the realities of the past as well as the present, and if you listen closely and open your mind to the living of another sister, you may meet them.

     In 2011, Nina Simone made her way back into my soul when Ledisi (way too underrated), Jill Scott (LOVE Jill...yyasssss), Marsha Ambrosius (Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!), and Kelly Price (!!!!) ANNIHILATED the stage after performing Simone's "Four Women" at the Black Girls Rock Awards.

 They didn't just perform; they LIVED the stories that belonged to those women Nina shared. Since that performance, life has never been the same...and I'm not celebrity crazy, but this will do it to you. We are cheated in classrooms when it comes to history...when it comes to the realities of brutality and injustice, struggle, beauty, and image. "Four Women" offers some of what those edited books do not. It's not likely that everyone will understand and feel the depth of this song...or performance, but it is fulfilling. It is blunt. It is strong. It is real...and beautiful...and amazing. I try to listen to this song everyday before I start my day or when I am winding down because...I have to. It is my reminder. Plus, with Kelly, Ledisi, Jill, and Marsha, you'd be a mess to skip a track of theirs. All beautifully talented. All beautiful. Anyway, I've posted the video below just in case you're a "Four Women" virgin!

SN: I still love you Amy and Adele!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9Bj1CXPH8 (Nina Simone performance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ilDi2L8mw (Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott, and Ledisi performance)

 Enjoyyiiieeeee.

With Realness,

B. Elae
8/18/2014