For Simone Green, music has never been about chasing trends—it’s about telling the truth. From earning a No. 1 independent radio hit and sharing stages with acclaimed artists to surviving breast cancer twice, every chapter of her journey has deepened her commitment to creating music that inspires, heals, and empowers. Her latest single, Black Queen, is more than a celebration of Black womanhood; it’s an affirmation of resilience, vulnerability, and self-worth.
In this SwagHer Spotlight, Simone opens up about the experiences that shaped her artistry, why authenticity is her greatest strength, how Chicago influenced both her music and her purpose, and the message she hopes every Black woman carries with her after hearing Black Queen. Her story is a reminder that our voices matter, our healing matters, and our legacy begins when we embrace who we were always meant to be.
Fancy: Your new single, Black Queen, celebrates Black womanhood as “resilient, tender, radiant, and real.” What personal experiences inspired you to write this song, and what message did you feel Black women needed to hear right now?
Simone Green: I wrote this song to celebrate every dimension of Black womanhood. We are resilient enough to overcome adversity, tender enough to love deeply, radiant enough to light up every room we enter, and real enough to admit when we’re tired, hurting, or in need of grace. There is power in embracing all of those qualities without apology.
Right now, I believe Black women need to hear that they don’t have to earn their value. They don’t have to carry every burden in silence or constantly prove their strength to deserve love, respect, and peace. We are enough exactly as we are. Our stories matter. Our voices matter. Our healing matters.
My hope is that when women hear Black Queen, they don’t just hear a song—they hear an affirmation. I want every Black woman to look in the mirror and recognize the queen she has always been, regardless of her circumstances. This song is my love letter to Black women everywhere: you are powerful, beautiful, worthy, and your legacy deserves to be celebrated.
Fancy: You’ve had an incredible career—from landing a #1 independent radio hit to lending your voice to national campaigns and opening for artists like Ledisi and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Looking back, what has been the biggest lesson this journey has taught you about trusting your own voice?
Simone Green: The biggest lesson this journey has taught me is that my voice has value because it is authentic—not because it sounds like anyone else’s or fits someone else’s expectations. Early on, I worried about whether my music would be accepted or whether I needed to follow trends to be relevant. Over time, I realized that the most powerful thing I can do is tell the truth through my art.
Surviving breast cancer twice also changed the way I see my purpose. It reminded me that life is too precious to silence myself or wait for permission to share my story. My experiences, my victories, my pain, and my joy all deserve to be heard because they have the power to encourage someone else.
Today, I trust my voice because it reflects who I am—a woman of resilience, faith, and purpose. I no longer create to fit into the industry; I create to make an impact. If my music helps one woman recognize her worth, find her strength, or feel seen, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose. That’s what trusting my voice means to me.
Fancy: You describe yourself as a cultural storyteller. In a constantly changing music industry, how do you stay authentic while continuing to evolve as an artist?
Simone Green: The music industry will always evolve, and I believe artists should evolve too. But for me, growth doesn’t mean abandoning who I am—it means finding new ways to express the same truth. I stay authentic by making sure every song I release reflects my experiences and the stories I genuinely want to tell.
I focus on creating music that has meaning, whether it’s celebrating Black womanhood with Black Queen, sharing the vulnerability of a relationship in Breathe, or simply bringing people together through music that makes them feel something.
While I embrace new sounds, new collaborations, and new ways to connect with audiences, I never lose sight of why I started making music in the first place—to inspire, empower, and leave people better than I found them.
If my artistry continues to evolve while staying rooted in truth, then I know I’m growing in the right direction.
Fancy: You relocated from Little Rock to Chicago and built a respected career in one of the country’s richest music cities. How has Chicago shaped not only your sound but the woman you’ve become?
Simone Green: Chicago has shaped me in every way. It’s a city that teaches you resilience, grit, and compassion all at the same time. Building my career here showed me the importance of working hard, staying true to yourself, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. Those lessons have influenced not only the woman I’ve become but also the artist I continue to grow into.
Musically, Chicago has given me an incredible appreciation for diversity. This city is home to gospel, soul, blues, jazz, R&B, and house music—all of which have influenced my sound and my approach to storytelling. Chicago audiences appreciate authenticity, and they’ve challenged me to be fearless and honest every time I step on stage.
No matter where my music takes me, Chicago will always be the foundation of who I am. It’s where my voice was nurtured, where my purpose became clear, and where I learned that using my gift to uplift others is one of the greatest responsibilities I have as an artist.
Fancy: What’s your SwagHer? How do you show up in the world?
Simone Green: Simone Green
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