During the Sunday night virtual BET Awards, Jennifer Hudson channeled to the Queen of Soul, and by the incredible performance of “Young, Gifted and Black”. She began sitting at the piano, his impressive voice as beautiful as ever, as she hit a beautiful note after another.
The song, originally recorded and released by Nina Simone in 1969, it was a tribute to Simone’s friend, the playwright Lorraine Hansberry. In an interview, Simone said of the song’s inspiration“I remember getting a feeling in my body, and I said, ‘That’s all it is: to be young, gifted and Black. That is all.’ And sat down at the piano and composed a melody. It just flowed out of me.” A few years later, Aretha Franklin’s rendition became the title track for his iconic 1972 album.
Hudson’s BET Awards performance gave viewers a glimpse of what is to come when she channels Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic set to be released at the end of this year. After watching the Sunday night performance, check out the official trailer for Respect.
