24. Her first album, Little Girl Blue, was a success, but she made next to nothing from it
I Loves You, Porgy, was included on Nina’s first album, Little Girl Blue, which also came out in 1958. The single when finally released made the album a real success, and it included 11 tracks in total, with only one original composition by Nina. Sadly, like countless other African-Americans in the music industry in the mid-20th century, Nina was paid the flat amount of $3,000 for her work, rather than receiving royalties. Although it seemed a fortune at the time, it is estimated that the crooked deal brokered by Nathan eventually cost Nina $1 million in lost royalties.
