Nina Simone, Langston Hughes and their forgotten creative collaboration

Nina Simone, the renowned singer often referred to as the "High Priestess of Soul," collaborated creatively with Langston Hughes, a prominent poet and figure of the Harlem Renaissance. While many music fans are familiar with Simone's hit "I Put a Spell on You," few realize that Hughes played a significant role in her career and artistic development.

As a Langston Hughes scholar, the author has spent six years researching the unexplored friendship between the two artists, which they detail in their book "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and the Birth of Black Power." The bond between Simone and Hughes began in 1949 when Hughes delivered a lecture at her high school in Asheville, North Carolina.

Later that year, Simone impressed Hughes with her piano performance during the lecture. Hughes recognized her talent and saw her as a rising star who would join the ranks of legendary Black performance artists. Over the years, Simone and Hughes remained close friends, frequently visiting each other's homes in New York City. Hughes used his fame to promote Simone, securing her a spot at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival and writing the final song of the event, "Goodbye Newport Blues."

Hughes also helped dispel comparisons to Billie Holiday by highlighting Simone's unique piano skills and helping her secure a spot at Carnegie Hall. Beyond his support, Hughes inspired Simone's songwriting. Known primarily as a poet, Hughes wrote more than a dozen original lyrics for Simone, including "See-Line Woman," which she performed at Carnegie Hall in 1964.

Hughes suggested Simone explore "Incantations for Nina Simone," a series of songs he called "Songs of Enticement, Bewitchment, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Conjuration, Bedevilment." While the lyrics in "You Cast a Spell on Me" are somewhat uninspired, the concept demonstrates Hughes' attempt to typecast Simone as a magical figure.