Made in partnership with Dove and The CROWN Act, Verve Records and UMe have announced the premiere for the music video for Nina Simone’s iconic song “Feeling Good.”
The exclusive US premiere will be released on Facebook on June 8, and the worldwide premiere will be available on YouTube starting June 10. The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act’s mission is to ensure protection against race-based hair discrimination, and have used the powerful message of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” to help amplify their work.
“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.
Nina challenged boundaries throughout her career, encouraging empowered expressions of Black culture and beauty. Her anthem is a logical fit to narrate this campaign. Alongside The Crown Act, Dove teamed up with Verve and UMe on the new music video for “Feeling Good,” which 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, and feeling good.
Originally released on Simone’s 1965 album, I Put A Spell On You, “Feeling Good” has served as an inspiration and representation of joy for so many, and has become one of her most enduring anthems. This new video, inspired by one of the most culturally significant voices of the 20th century, speaks to the goal of ensuring a positive relationship with beauty that is universally accessible to all and expresses what it’s like to feel good when you’re free to be you.
Listen to the best of Nina Simone on Apple Music and Spotify.