In a career already marked by boundary-breaking success, 2004 saw hip-hop icon and actress Queen Latifah—born Dana Owens—make a pivotal artistic turn with the release of The Dana Owens Album . This landmark recording announced her serious arrival in the world of jazz and soul covers, showcasing a remarkable vocal talent previously unheard on this scale.
The album’s centerpiece, however, was a daring cover of the classic 1972 hit, “Simply Beautiful,” originally written and performed by the “Reverend of Soul,” Al Green.
Latifah’s transition from rapping on tracks like “UNITY” to smooth jazz vocalization was a bold move. Yet, when approaching Green’s masterpiece, she quickly realized that a purely “jazz” arrangement based on the necessary soul depth and authentic gravitas of the source material.
The solution was a moment of inspired collaboration. To perfect the track and ensure it carries the required emotional weight, Latifah extended an invitation to the legend himself, Al Green, to join her for a duet.
The resulting track, “Simply Beautiful (feat. Al Green),” is an unforgettable fusion that leaves listeners breathless. It features a seamless blend of Latifah’s smooth, sophisticated delivery and Green’s signature, effortless vocal grace.
The haunting, enchanting harmony between the two artists has often been cited as the emotional core of the record and a powerful homage to 70s soul music. The track forever changes the dimension of the jazz cover.
This bold departure into a new genre proves to be both a critical and commercial triumph for Latifah. The Dana Owens Album earned certification as Gold by the RIAA, cementing its commercial success.
Further solidifying her status as a serious vocalist, the record garnered a prestigious Grammy nomination in 2005 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. The triumph, anchored by the stunning duet with Al Green, set the stage for her subsequent and equally acclaimed jazz effort, Trav’lin’ Light , released in 2007.
The “Simply Beautiful” collaboration remains a powerful and enduring testament to the success of cross-generational and cross-genre artistic partnership.