Some of the Best Covers by Black Women
When the music is good, it has a way of sticking around.
From samples to interpolation to covers, artists are constantly finding new ways to give renewed life to the music we know well and deep cuts we may have overlooked. Many rappers have sampled the likes of Miss Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone over the years, but this time I want to focus on covers. More specifically, covers by Black women. Making a good cover can be tricky, but these women have done it flawlessly—and sometimes better.
Fugees- Killing Me Softly
This song exists in many renditions, three of which are widely popular. The original, composed and written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, was recorded by Folk singer Lori Lieberman in 1971. A couple years after, Roberta Flack reworked the track in her own style and captured the Billboard Hot 100 #1 spot in 1973 for five weeks. Decades later, the song made its foray into hip-hop, subsequently winning the Fugees a Grammy in 1997. While the exact origin of the words is still unclear, it is undisputed that “Killing Me Softly” is a song that can wear many hats, transcend genre, and continue to evolve and enthrall listeners through the times.
Nina Simone- I Loves You Porgy
The first time that I heard this song was in the opening credits of the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? The subdued, haunting sound of the song fits well with the tone of the film. Despite perfectly soundtracking the tragic presentation of Nina Simone’s life, the song originated as a show tune in the opera Porgy and Bess. The original is far more dramatic and theatrical, functioning as a duet between the show’s two protagonists in which they declare their devotion to one another. Simone transforms the song into a pleading ballad by omitting the male response, sending out her desperate pleas into the wind instead.
Jazmine Sullivan- Baltimore
Sometimes you’re so iconic, you get an entire tribute album. Coming from the 2015 Nina Simone tribute album, Nina Revisited…, Jazmine Sullivan takes on “Baltimore.” Though very similar to the original, Sullivan’s version is a bit more lively and gives the track a more modern feel. Striking a balance between what the original sounded like and the sound that best suits her voice, Jazmine opts for subtle changes and gives us the “Baltimore” we’ve grown to love with a dash of her own flavor on it.
Rihanna- Same ‘Ol Mistakes
Instead of trying to completely reimagine the Tame Impala track “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” Rihanna covers the song using the same instrumental and some of the original backing vocals. Unsurprisingly, her airy, sultry voice fits in seamlessly. Her version evokes the same dreamy, euphoric feeling as the original, just with the smoother tone of Rihanna’s voice, and you can even hear Kevin Parker’s voice drift in and out throughout.
Eckoes- I Knew You Were Trouble
Some covers have a way of making lyrics sound like they’re coming from an entirely different perspective. In this rendition of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble,” London singer Eckoes does just that. She takes this catchy pop tune and turns it into an ethereal, melancholy ballad. Although the lyrics were not altered, Eckoes’ version draws out a different depth of emotion that the original imagined as a troublesome teenage crush. I guess Taylor’s not that bad after all.
Fantasia- Strange Fruit
Three generations of Black women singing the same, sad song. “Strange Fruit”—inspired by a widely circulated lynching photo—was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, covered by Nina Simone in 1965, and again performed by Fantasia in 2016. Fantasia manages to capture the same exhausted tone of both previous versions effortlessly. And I believe that ease comes with being able to channel that deep, generational trauma. “Strange Fruit” has tragically become a timeless snapshot of the persisting plight of Black Americans, even if the photo doesn’t look exactly the same.
