Nina Simone: Hip Hop's Secret Weapon

[@prowrestlingcountdown208]

Nina Simone was a true original. Her documentary What Happened, Miss Simone is one of my favorite movies ever. She was a truly polarizing figure. I encourage you all to watch her live sped up version of "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free." Its also featured in her documentary and it brought me to tears the first time I heard it.

[@TheArmchairist]

I don't know if you're talking about the Montreux '76 version, but if not, then I highly recommend you listening to ''How it feels to be free'', live in Montreux 1976

[@CloudTribe]

She's definitely going down in the history books

[@slipknot95maggot]

Yea, if you DID mean this kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6SogWNjbbt0pdk I just went and watched it, and thank you for mentioning it

[@eafortson]

Yeah ..Cosign everything you said. That song brings me to tears every time I hear it. Her soul is so alive in that piece that it literally inhabits it and imprints itself onto all who bear witness.

[@benjaminjackson9449]

@@TheArmchairist they are talking about the one she performed at village gate. It’s a religious experience.

[@tabitham1057]

dude. strange fruit will never not make me cry the moment I hear her sing it

[@MinorCirrus]

And that transition into Sinnerman, damn...

[@teaguenstanczak1711]

Her version is outstanding, but Billie's is always one that I come back to

[@Lugodu87]

I got chills only reading the poem. There something about those words that feel so real. It's really disturbing how words can be so horrific, so revolting, yet so beautiful at the same time.

[@apanapandottir205]

It's one of those songs that's hard to listen to.

[@MojoPin1983]

@Tabitha M You should check out the following version. *Jeff Buckley - Strange Fruit (Live at Sin-é, New York, NY - July/August 1993):* kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5XRl6h3bdx9oas&app=desktop

[@tigerstyle4505]

Nina one of the baddest to ever walk the planet. All respect.

[@juzeljames7793]

facts

[@IKMcGwee]

There's a reason she cried power

[@nordra375]

REPENT AND FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST.✝✝✝

[@theMoporter]

The sample on The Story Of OJ is perfection.

[@jeffparis5425]

Saw Nina Simone in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1967. It was at a club called The Montmartre. She had an audience of five, including me. Despite the poor turnout, she did a long set and I was mesmerized by her voice. Now called Jazhus Montmartre, it continues to feature jazz greats.

[@IceKrimDream]

How old are you now? Have you witnessed any other singers more talented/gifted than her so far?

[@ceejay1794]

Jeff Paris what a great experience. She was a true artist. Lucky dude👍

[@brittanyhudley4683]

Cool!

[@liljons6753]

Dang are you 90

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

Only 5 people in 67, that seems far fetched

[@leobelcolona4721]

Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone? Dude, you're on a roll! Love it!

[@somni6756]

Her feelings on the label of jazz also rings through to today with Tyler the Creator's comments on the genre catagory of "Urban music"

[@saintelsewhere6513]

Charly Somni'sAsh Clark point well made

[@amatino98]

yeah, but Jazz is originated from black pepople so I don t understand her feelings. Can you explain to me?

[@wolf25705]

pietro amato As it says in the video, “Jazz is a White Term to define Black People.” The term didn’t address the artists with any of the respect she felt they were owed, it was just a catch-all roundabout way of saying Black without acknowledging them as a people, like what “Urban” has come to mean today.

[@DominicAirola]

Yeah it might be hard to see the connection today where Jazz has become a studied subject in universities and has many prominent white musicians, but back then it probably had a different connotation.

[@wolf25705]

Dominic Airola Exactly

[@ajsvideodump]

I know it's unlikely you'll see this and even then you get hundreds of requests every day, but I'd love to see a video on Gil Scott-Heron, often considered the godfather of rap

[@MapleMilk]

Thank you for this request Peace be with you, brother

[@somni6756]

Hell yes, "Paint it Black" is a masterpiece in the impact of simplicity.

[@nathaniel982]

I was not expecting more fans of Gil Scott-Heron. A video on him and his influence would be so rad!!

[@shunkela]

The revolution will not be given its own video

[@MisterTalkingMachine]

Yes please

[@benedictumeh9414]

your editing is honestly amazing

[@dr.lecter8818]

Benedict Umeh that’s one thing that blew me away. I can’t imagine the amount of time it takes him to make these videos

[@l00pdigga42]

Dr. Lecter agreed but also agree that it pays off.

[@asheru9254]

Vox esque video editing

[@eddierichmond8316]

Hey, poly just wanted to tell you, your analysis of great music inspired me to make music. In doing so I let out a lot of the pent up feelings I have. I just want to thank you for playing your part in that.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Eddie Richmond ahhh that's so good! I need to paint, but get the essence. Art is quite the savior if one takes it serious.

[@72vince27]

Where can I hear your shit broadie?

[@timotheusn.h.nakashona1001]

To be young, gifted and black is my favourite song by Nina Simone with Mississippi Goddam a close second.

[@poetsummerbreeze4663]

Same here.

[@cgirl111]

@@poetsummerbreeze4663 Mississippi Goddamn hasn't aged a day.

[@brepodgorski1707]

Not only incredible and enlightening content, but AMAZING graphics. Your channel is incredible!

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Nina sacrificed so much for the fight she felt called to...I appreciate her on many levels. It's good to see her be recognized as the trailblazer she really was.

[@harchitb]

"My music is black classical music" lee morgan, legendary hard bop trumpest, also said "the best thing I'd come up with [jazz] would probably be Black Classical music. But then, that's even a broad term." blacks have always been musical pioneers

[@manpig9633]

Who the fakk refer to black people as blacks

[@TahtahmesDiary]

The meaning of Nina's songs changes so drastically when it comes from the mouth of a woman who sacrificed so much for her people vs a man who says things like our Ancestors chose to be slaves for shock value.

[@queenthinng4822]

“While y'alll be imitating Al Capone I’ll be Nina Simone, and defecating on ya microphone” -Ms. Lauryn Hill, Ready or Not.

[@carapo66]

Yeah, Ms SImone hated that reference.

[@fighterck6241]

@@carapo66 Sad since a group as talented as the Fugees were simply paying respect. Lauren Hill was such a legend.

[@mikecaruana1960]

I can see where defecating on anything would not be the lyrics I want to be drawing parallel with as I look towards easing into retirement lol. Honestly I can't believe there is literally no reference of lauryn hill in this short clip. I literally own a 2 LP underground mashup of songs sewn together on vinyl. Definitely worth checking out... Pretty damn impressive: KZbin › watch. Lauryn Hill & Nina Simone - The Miseducation of Eunice Waymon | Mix ...

[@NoUploadJustComment]

Sinnerman. One of the best recordings I've ever heard.

[@mauricesowerseliii3413]

I was born and raised in Baltimore City. Long before I heard samples of Nina on hip hop records. My grandma played Nina while cleaning up or cooking Sunday dinner.

[@petiteexplication6249]

Sinnerman is one of all time fav

[@nedisahonkey]

Incredible song. Definitely one of my all time favorites too. An absolute magnum opus of a song.

[@phrankenstein-wrongthinker1994]

I was introduced to Simone through a good friend. She said that if I liked Aretha I'd love Nina. She was so very right.

[@Grnvolpe]

Nina Simone was a genius. She really was. She's a pillar in music

[@juzeljames7793]

facts

[@Chesterek667]

Dear Polyphonic... Thank you. For everything you do. I'm a giantic music noob. I have absoluetely no knowledge about it and it's pretty hard for me to find something new. Especially in things that I would never brother to study on a daily basis. You Sir, open my eyes to a completely new universe of art, which I slowly start to explore. And maybe even understand in its complexity...

[@poetsummerbreeze4663]

Wow! What a great compliment!! I love reading positive posts.

[@panameraboomin7925]

Only voice I’ve ever heard sound anything similar to this wonder was Amy winehouse, they both felt that shit way way deep down in their hearts man

[@NothingBetterToWatch]

Panamera Boomin bbyrose has a voice pretty similar.

[@chillandrelax348]

!!!! Two of my favorite female singers !!!!

[@anjolaxo3875]

Chiamaka Ekwegh SAME!!!

[@anjolaxo3875]

Omfg yes funny you say that Amy and Nina r my absolute fave musicians❤️

[@michellerae2094]

this chanel honestly gives me life everytime you post vidoes, evry single one is up my alley Nina was the reason a 6 y/o me went to music school to get clzssicaly trained and having jer still impac the music i listen too is amazing

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

You’ve taken this art form to a level beyond what anyone is doing in the medium. This is the most satisfying, content rich, aesthetically compelling video I have watched on KZbin in years..... I hope this turns into a career for you, dude. This is PhD shit.

[@poetsummerbreeze4663]

For real.

[@ungradphysmath7438]

It's so interesting that Nina Simone openly admitted that she doesn't like neither hip-hop nor rap music but her shadowing influence on Hip-hop and Rap music can't even be denied by her. Just Stupendous!

[@puntland7685]

To some of yall: Just because you don't like Kanye as a person, you simply cannot deny his insane talent in music.

[@HansCZ2608]

yep, I get hating the guy, hell even some kanye fans hate him as a person. but kanye the artist is a completely different thing, the dude is a genius.

[@phrog7193]

i dont like his music, i dont care about the person

[@KilgoreTrout-vo7uy]

@@HansCZ2608 I think you use the term genius rather loosely.

[@HansCZ2608]

@@KilgoreTrout-vo7uy do you think Im the only one with this opinion? the dude is called a genius by pretty much everyone on the hip hop scene, not just me and his fans.

[@KayleeCee]

Kanye as a person has rubbed me the wrong way for years, but he's a musical genius and I certainly appreciate that aspect of him.

[@rosablackwell64]

This is why I love this channel; who else on KZbin would cover this kind of stuff?!

[@rakamukherjee9070]

This video is jam packed with information. This channel consistently proves to be my favorite

[@tecpaocelotl]

Thanks for this. Strange fruit is a song that should listened more. You need to do Gil Scott Heron. Another hiphop top secret weapon.

[@tyrellwhite8993]

Gil scott heron is the grandad of hip hop

[@CoreenMontagna]

I just gotta say, you’ve blown it out of the park with your visuals on this one! I love the moving collage aesthetic you used.

[@starstardonkey8827]

Nina is phenomenal! The greatest Jazz & Blues singer/voice and pianist in my opinion. I own every record she recorded and several of her songs are on my everyday playlist!

[@Scratch2727]

Really nice one. Happy that you took special attention to the source material and not only the samples. Everyone should get to know about the great Nina Simone.

[@jeromelj1010]

Nina was a force to be reckoned with

[@Chandasouk]

This video strangely makes me miss Kanye. He had breath control problems when he was younger but was really out there trying to show and prove with his raps.

[@ShooterSanoff]

Anyone who doesnt know Sinnerman need to know it go listen to the 10 min version

[@kymberlimoor5274]

One of my favorite songs ever

[@l00pdigga42]

Shooter Sanoff thank you.

[@meliduran3863]

I’m on it

[@Vonnnne]

He wrote the “poem” for Billie holiday. He asked her to sing it at a jazz club strange fruit was a song for Billie

[@Purcyless]

I have been looking for the name of the song that this taught me was called "Sinnerman" for about 12 years? So thank you!

[@Bepartofmynovel]

I'm just at your premise and I already love this video.

[@ajeveaux]

Congratulations on this video, one of your best ones yet!

[@rodri301]

your videos are so well made, i hope you remain doing it.

[@OmriNamir]

I love The story of OJ

[@chetanamanchali8378]

Hozier has whole song called Nina cried power

[@davis0730]

This Video and your Hozier vid are my favorites Also your Coletrane video was what made me really enjoy your takes

[@kaleahcollins4567]

Lauren hill used nina simone verson of i put a spell on you in everything is everthing

[@talkindurinthemovie]

I've loved her since I was in the 8th grade. I think my first song I really felt in MY SOUL was feelings she performed it in france and I just felt it

[@toothpastehombre]

Fantastic commentary. Well done here

[@shimeih2287]

Man I knew she had been sampled but after this video and a quick google search I can't believe the number of times she's been sampled 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ZippyLeroux]

I'm mourning Miss Simone this morning...

[@kpgohan]

Great Video. As a 19 y o music head, I noticed how alot of songs sampled her, but this made me realize that many of these songs implemented not only her voice but also "sampled" her message

[@spacealienjesus709]

Women in music today can't even hold a candle to Nina and Holiday..

[@skadonkza]

This video is so fantastic and so well made, well done.

[@lesliemwangi]

AH THIS WHOLE WEEK IVE BEEN BUMPING MS. SIMONE AND WATCHING VIDEOS THAT TALK ABOUT HER SAMPLES IN HIP HOP AND WAS HOPING YOU WOULD DO ONE!!

[@ChrisPettey33]

Amazing visuals the future will appreciate this!!

[@auslandposse]

fun fact: nina simone didn't like hiphop because of sexism, misogyny, violence... commonly used as themes.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

bombdroppa posse understandable and my problem, too, along with the silly roasting of each other where important issues could be addressed. Luckily, Hip Hop has grown since then. Sadly, Simone didn't get to hear that.

[@mannysikario]

@@jasonjames6383 but commercial hip-hop doesn't incumbent 90% of of we call "hip-hop".

[@jasonjames6383]

@@mannysikario but what we call 'hip hop' and the majority of people call hip hop might be 2 different things. The 10%' is what is heard or listened to by 90% of the population. Of course, there is better underground hip hop but how many people hear it? Most of the 'popular or commerical' newer hip hop I hear is either guns, drugs, bitches & money or rapping about themselves and 'fame' or something ridiculous like that. Of course there is differnt types of hip hop but the majority of what the majority of people here is the guns, drugs, bitches & money stuff and the me, me, me stuff. There is no PE, Tribe, Gangstarr or De La etc in the mainstream like 25-30 years ago to counter this,. As much as I love Strtaight Outta Compton and I beleive it is a great album, it has a lot to answer for haha. It wasn't the first but it made 'gangsta rap marketable.

[@mannysikario]

@@jasonjames6383 we have artists now like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Kanye and J-Cole which I would are far more commercial than the likes of Lil-Uzi, Lil-Vert, Lil-etc. Just look at the billboards stands. Trash might still be popular, but it gets easily overtaken by more positive hip-hop songs. Look at To Pimp A Butterfly, incredibly commercial and it's full of positive messages.

[@dcuss7294]

This current 'very popular' form called Mumble rap is the worst music I've heard in my life. Seriously! Let's get f-ing real about it. I've worked many shows as a sound engineer and ain't nobody up on that stage sayin anything constructive or positive. It's all a self-degrading minstrel show and very demeaning of women. And the kids pack rooms eating that s*** up. But on the flip side, I'll work shows where they have more socially conscious hip-hop, with some real musical instruments, artist spitting out rhymes without repeated use of the n-word and you can hear crickets chirping because the room is so empty. It's sad..

[@markgaydosh4249]

Love every video you make but this one was damn impressive. I really learned something

[@161-h8n]

How tf do you only have 669k subs? You should be wayy bigger.

[@SuperXavier30]

Nina Simone, the one and only "High Priestess of Soul".. And so much more..R.I.P Eunice.

[@invadeuranus5996]

i knew 4 women and strange fruit would be on here lol keep up the good work, man!

[@Goatchild90]

Black History Month baby

[@triste.abeille]

Don’t forget about Rihanna singing Nina Simone in “Famous” by Kanye!

[@TheLowDee]

I would rather say please World forget about her already.

[@aleka..]

@marlene riggs I don't think she'd appreciate your misogyny and nastiness while trying to defend her...

[@triste.abeille]

marlene riggs Kanye is undoubtedly one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time regardless of what his social or political life is like.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

wilfing nasty, yeah, he has it coming, though. Misogynistic? No.

[@chandlerscaringia5260]

Can we not associate Nina Simone and Rihanna. Nina Simone is legendary. Rihanna is Katy Perry......... POP

[@chadprice4976]

Nina Simone is a Punk Rock Goddess !!! Eunice Kathleen Waymon R.I.P.

[@SiddallK]

This piece was very well done! For a documentary and music nerd like myself, it hit the spot.

[@deionbexby]

Finally you do a video that I actually thought about you a real one for this

[@mohamedfalls]

You make truly incredible content, those are quality informations. Keep doing excellent work life that

[@deano1018]

Yesss Nina! Give the credit!

[@melbuck194]

Great content! Rapsody did a dope track called Nina that sampled Strange Fruit.

[@roycescott5521]

THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING IS NEEDED . . . AND WHOEVER IS DOING THE VISUALS HAS GOOD TASTE ....THEY SHOULD BE T SHIRTS

[@juststardust8103]

I didn't know but i was really waiting for this video. Great work! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Bry2jrko]

Beautiful! I really love this video.

[@yaradbey552]

The intro to Pieces of a Man by AZ released in the 90’s was a great example of how we felt most days as a older teen. Peace to AZ

[@bornjusticerule5764]

Dope analysis 🤙🏿🤯🤟🏿

[@poetsummerbreeze4663]

For real.

[@lilhonor5425]

I was listening to Do What You Goya Do this morning which is sampled in Famous by Kanye West.

[@ToshisanMotonaka]

this is an amazing segment, thank you for your work.

[@aninjathtpwndu]

Been waiting for this video for a long time. I absolutely love her music, with her rendition of sinnerman being one of my favorite songs ever.

[@taylortaizon]

Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure was my first introduction to Nina.

[@soapy9472]

Nina is my queen and you helped me find more ways to prove it

[@calebgonzalez3426]

It should be a requirement in schools to listen to Nina Simone

[@Badie20]

It really should

[@hermesdavi8406]

12:45 I really expected him to say "some people will only ser you as a Ni🅱️🅱️a" lol You almost got me worried bro

[@adonaiyah2196]

I appreciate ypu rrecent covering of black artists, and I know you don't take a lot of requests but please do a video on Donny Hathaway

[@hayleyb467]

oooh yes

[@threelittlebirds2288]

Underrated legend

[@ThePhatFilosopher]

Her song “Misunderstood” should’ve at least been a honorable mention dude😫😭

[@businessbuilder92]

Like df?

[@neptunestardust]

It’s sucha good song

[@Niyati99]

nina truly cried power

[@cterrellscott]

Good video my man. I really enjoyed it.

[@MrMikesdaddy]

As always I thank you for your work and please keep it up.....thanks....

[@Gratitude.1st]

This was great, subscribed 👍🏾

[@ratshinaledzani5471]

Mick Jenkins' use of Strange Fruit was also amazing

[@MojoPin1983]

Check out Jeff Buckley’s incredible cover: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5XRl6h3bdx9oas&app=desktop

[@timgrisham9051]

There is a great version of Feeling Good by the Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring UK singer Alice Russell from a few years back.

[@MrJRD827]

I got chills when they played “Get by”🔥🔥

[@Dkvizu]

This channel insane.

[@anaboozy._.6438]

I cry a bit every time Strange Fruit plays, just knowing what it represents is haunting and heartbreaking.

[@jaxie4878]

The Four Owls uses a fantastic sample of Nina Simone

[@cormeum5371]

ART STYLE ON POINT

[@UrosDrljaca]

Loved the video. Wish you mentioned Pirate Jenny. Awesome, haunting and powerful song.

[@coffeebreath5325]

Great content!

[@yugiohyoutuification]

I love your videos on hip hop would love to see a video on some groups that haven't been done that much like heiroglypics

[@qiqa2433]

How did you not mention Rapdody - Nina ?? That's the best use of that Strange Fruit sample, off all time. Was in her latest album.

[@sirisaacnewton435]

Tomorrow (February 21st) is her birthday. Her legacy is powerful and for good reason. Happy birthday, Nina.

[@riazoliphant3493]

thought ud mention how Rapsody used Nina Simone's Strange Fruit sample in here recent album she made the most of that sample

[@ricardomayorga9352]

The version of Feeling Good that I appreciate is the one flipped by Dilla that never was released. Peep the Bling 47 interview with House Shoes

[@francisdedumo3323]

Can you make a video about Nujabes?

[@hayleyb467]

Yes! Gone but not forgotten ♡

[@Slynell1]

Luv sic 🎼🎼🔥

[@francisdedumo3323]

Rest in Beats #NujabesForever