WATCH: Jill Scott Delivers Heart-Stopping Version of ‘Strange Fruit’

By Sameer Rao Nov 25, 2015

When Billie Holiday began performing "Strange Fruit" more than seven decades ago, it forced listeners to contemplate the gruesome realities of racism in America. Dervied from a poem written by teacher Abel Meeropol, the haunting and stark song remains one of the most chilling indictments of American racism and the lynching of African Americans. 

This weekend, another Philadelphia native performed a stunning rendition of the song for A&E’s "Shining A Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America." After an introduction from Morgan Freeman that highlighted the song’s continuing relevence "in these very different, yet still-troubled times," powerhouse singer and actress Jill Scott took to the stage and gave the audience goosebumps.

Check out Scott’s performance of "Strange Fruit" above.

(H/t The Huffington Post)