First-Ever Music Video For Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”

Dove, Verve Records, UMe and The Nina Simone Charitable Trust Partner To Create First-Ever Music Video For Musical Icon And Activist Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”

NEW VIDEO RAISES AWARENESS FOR THE CROWN ACT AND SENDS MESSAGE OF BLACK JOY AND EMPOWERMENT

LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dove, Verve Records, UMe, and the Nina Simone Charitable Trust have joined forces to create the first official music video for “Feeling Good,” the iconic song by legendary musician and activist Nina Simone. Fortifying Simone’s legacy, the video depicts generations of Black joy and boundless self-expression through beauty and hair to elevate Black stories and raise awareness for The CROWN Act, spearheaded by Dove and the CROWN Coalition.

The new music video for “Feeling Good,” originally released on Simone’s 1965 album, I Put A Spell On You, aims to continue Simone’s important legacy by telling a story of Black female empowerment and rejecting imposed expectations. Directed by Sarah Lacombe, the video follows four generations of Black women living their truths, loving each other, celebrating their hair, and feeling good.

“Dove is on a mission to change beauty and redefine narrow beauty standards. It is not acceptable for any of us to change our natural identity to gain employment or access to school. Unfortunately, 80% of Black women reported having to change their hair to fit into workplace norms. This is exactly why Dove will continue to champion to end race-based hair discrimination nationwide with The CROWN Act,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP and COO of Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever North America.

Ms. Bracey continued, “As a Black woman who has worn textured hairstyles for the past 25 years, and as mother of a 15-year old daughter who also wears a textured hair style, this legislation is deeply personal to me. Now is the time to pass The CROWN Act and eliminate this barrier for children and adults everywhere because we all deserve to FEEL GOOD about the way we wear our hair. This video expresses just that — what it’s like to feel good when you’re free to be you.”

A representative of the Nina Simone Charitable Trust says, “Nina was a tireless champion of individual freedom of expression. She inspired the young, gifted and Black to celebrate their culture, reminding them their souls were intact just the way they were.”

Jamie Krents, head of Verve Records, said, “‘Feeling Good’ is one of Nina’s most beloved and listened-to tracks, and a testament to the strength of her voice and her artistry. Nina Simone is a true legend, and we’re thrilled to partner with Dove, UMe, and the Nina Simone Charitable Trust, to create an empowering video, and to continue to bring her music to her fans, both old and new.”

Bruce Resnikoff, President & CEO of UMe, said, “Nina Simone is one of the most culturally significant voices of the 20th century and UMe is proud to partner with Verve, Dove and the Nina Simone Charitable Trust to celebrate her artistry and activism with this wonderful new video for one of her most enduring anthems.”

Federal legislation was reintroduced in March 2021 in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 2116) by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) in the U.S. Senate (S. 888) by Senator Cory Booker.

Created to commemorate the anniversary of the first signing of The CROWN Act into law in the U.S., we recognize July 3rd as National CROWN Day. Every year, we celebrate National CROWN Day with events that engage and uplift the Black community, while celebrating natural and protective hairstyles without fear of judgement or consequence.

Join Dove and The CROWN Coalition in the fight against race-based hair discrimination and help #PassTheCROWN by signing The CROWN Act petition at dove.com/thecrownact.

SOURCE Verve/UMe