Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist who turned to jazz and blues after being denied entry to the Curtis Institute of Music, which she attributed to racial discrimination. Known for her deep, rich contralto voice, she earned the nickname 'The High Priestess of Soul.' In 1964, she shifted her focus significantly toward the Civil Rights Movement with the release of 'Mississippi Goddam,' a response to the murder of Medgar Evers and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Her music became a fierce expression of Black pride and social justice, often sacrificing her commercial career for her activism. Simone’s style was a unique blend of classical counterpoint, jazz improvisation, and gospel soul. Despite living much of her later life in exile in Liberia and France, her influence remains massive in modern soul, R&B, and hip-hop sampling.