"I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important"

Nina Simone’s words reflect a profound evolution in her artistic journey, charting the path from a rigorous pursuit of technical mastery to a commitment rooted in personal and collective liberation. Classical music, with its traditions and canon, often demands relentless discipline, perfection, and adherence to established standards. Simone, who trained intensively as a pianist, experienced firsthand the pressures and rewards that come with chasing excellence in an environment where precision is paramount and where one's value is measured by flawlessness and conformity to strict forms.

Yet, Simone’s life and career eventually forced her to confront the limitations of such a pursuit. Excellence, while commendable, became insufficient in a world fraught with injustice and social upheaval. The context of her era, marked by racial discrimination, civil rights movements, and immense personal struggle, inspired her to reconsider the true purpose of her artistry. Excellence could not solely serve as her compass when her people were fighting for dignity and freedom. Music needed, she realized, to become a vehicle for expressing the yearning for liberation, both her own and that of her community.

When Simone says her art became “dedicated to freedom,” she points to a transformation: music as self-expression rather than as mere achievement. Freedom, for Simone, entailed breaking the restrictive bounds of genre, speaking uncomfortable truths, and using her voice for resistance. This dedication transcended personal accolades, reshaping her work into a catalyst for social change, a medium to empower, unite, and heal.

In reorienting her purpose from technical excellence to freedom, Simone declared that artistic value lies not just in virtuosity, but in authenticity, courage, and social responsibility. Her journey reminds us that creativity can be an emancipatory force, and that, in troubled times, freedom becomes the artist’s greatest and most urgent achievement.