Ledisi

Ledisi Anibade Young (/ˈlɛdɪsiː/; born March 28, 1972[1]), better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.[2]

Ledisi
Ledisi in Houston, 2009
Background information
Birth nameLedisi Anibade Young
Born (1972-03-28) March 28, 1972
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Recording artist
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1995–present
LabelsLeSun, Tommy Boy, Verve Forecast, Verve, BMG
Websiteledisi.com

In 1995, Ledisi formed the group Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Anibade and Ledisi released an album entitled Soulsinger (black and white cover on the LeSun Music independent label) featuring the song "Take Time", which gained substantial airplay from San Francisco area radio stations.

In 2000, Ledisi re-released her first major label signed album, titled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001.[2] In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2005, Ledisi signed a record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album, titled Lost & Found, on August 28, 2007; it sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas.

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose, which earned her two Grammy nominations, followed by her fifth album Pieces of Me (2011) which debuted on the US Billboard 200 album chart at number eight, becoming the first top-ten album of her career and her highest-charting album to date. It also garnered three Grammy nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards including for Best R&B Album. In 2013, she received a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards for her collaboration with fellow R&B and jazz musician Robert Glasper for the album cut "Gonna Be Alright" from his fifth album Black Radio (2012). In 2014, she released her sixth album The Truth to critical acclaim and moderate sales. She portrayed legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, Selma.[3] Since releasing her debut Soulsinger: The Revivial in 2000, Ledisi has released eight studio albums and earned thirteen Grammy Award nominations to date.[4]

Early life

Ledisi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.[5] She grew up in a musical family;[6] her mother, Nyra Dynese,[7] sang in a Louisiana R&B band and her stepfather, Joseph Pierce III, (deceased) was a drummer in the New Orleans area. Her biological father is soul singer Larry Saunders, the son of blues singer Johnny Ace.[7] He left the family when she was a baby and they did not meet again for nearly three decades.[8]

Ledisi first began performing publicly at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.[5] Ledisi moved to Oakland, California, where she attended McChesney Junior High School, now Edna Brewer Middle School. She was shy about her singing abilities and would sing only upon request when students in her gym class would implore her to sing Deniece Williams's version of Black Butterfly, bringing the entire locker room audience under the spell of her very mature, melodious voice. As she sang more publicly her music career blossomed. She was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz and performed in an extended run with the San Francisco cabaret troupe, Beach Blanket Babylon.[2] She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.

Musical career

1995–1999: Career beginnings

In the 1990s, Ledisi formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Phoenix (LaGerald) Normand (background vocals, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Rob Rhodes (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul.[2] The group won acclaim in the San Francisco Bay Area with a cult-like following of die-hard fans who referred to themselves as "Ledites" and meet her with love at every event, singing along verbatim to songs that though unrecorded at the time, were well known by their fans. The group later recorded a demo of one of the songs from their set, entitled, "Take Time" which was played on local stations and requested non-stop. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck. Ledisi also performed often with jazz saxophonist Robert Stewart throughout the early 1990s in San Francisco.

2000–2003: Soulsinger: The Revival and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival, independently on her label, LeSun Records.[2] The album spun off four singles, "Soulsinger", "Take Time", "Get Outta My Kitchen", and "Good Lovin'". After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival, Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which was also released independently. The album featured the singles "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" and "Autumn Leaves". During this time she also recorded commercials for the Sci Fi Channel. In 2003, Ledisi won "Outstanding Jazz Album" for Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue at the California Music Awards.

2006–2008: Lost & Found

During her five-year hiatus, Ledisi made appearances on soundtracks. In 2007, she signed with Verve and released "Blues in the Night" which featured on the tribute album, We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song.

In August 2007, Ledisi's third album, Lost & Found, was released. During her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay in the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life.[9] "Alright" became the lead single and debuted at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. The album's second single, "In The Morning", debuted at #49 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart.[10] Other songs from the album charted but were not released as singles. "Think of You" charted at #71 on the Hot R&B charts, "Joy" charted at #103 on the Hot R&B charts and #29 on the Adult R&B Airplay.[11][12]

In December 2007, the album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found. By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.

In September 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas, which featured the singles "This Christmas" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee". In December 2008, Ledisi's T.V. special aired on Gospel Channel, titled "Ledisi Christmas". Ledisi performed a few songs from her Christmas album. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Give Love On Christmas Day" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #113.

In 2008 Ledisi performed the song "The Man I Love" as a blues singer in the Leatherheads movie.

2009–2010: Turn Me Loose

In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced as Turn Me Loose. The album was released on August 18, 2009.[13] Speaking in April 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul – Ledisi explained the album's title reflected its musical diversity: "The title 'Turn Me Loose' is basically me saying 'I don't wanna be boxed in! Let me be myself as a performer and singer, because I do EVERYTHING! Not just one particular style!'."[14] She employed production from seasoned R&B songwriter-producers such as Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Carvin & Ivan. The first single from the album was "Goin' Thru Changes". The second single was "Higher Than This", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright.

On May 13, 2010, Ledisi performed at Charter Oak Cultural Center's 9th Annual Gala, a fundraiser for free after-school youth arts programming in inner-city Hartford.[15] She performed several songs from Turn Me Loose, and also performed a duet with Anika Noni Rose, a tribute to the late Lena Horne.

2011–2012: Pieces of Me
Ledisi performing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial dedication concert (October 2011)

Ledisi toured with R&B/soul singer Kem on his North American INTIMACY Tour. On March 10, 2011, during her opening act in Atlanta, Georgia, Ledisi announced that she had finished recording her fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, on March 9, 2011. It was released on June 14, 2011. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 38,000 copies in its first week. The album's title track served as the album's lead single.

Ledisi has performed at the White House seven times at the request of President and First Lady Obama.

Ledisi headlined her first tour to promote her album, Pieces of Me. The Pieces of Me Tour played to 22 sold-out shows across North America. With this album, she received three nominations for the 2012 Grammy Awards, in the categories Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, for the album and the lead single "Pieces of Me".

Ledisi released her first book, Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power on Time Home Entertainment, Inc. in 2012. The book, an innovative collaboration with ESSENCE, is filled with the singer's personal photos, quotes, lyrics, and richly detailed stories of her journey to acceptance of her beauty, talent, and power.[16]

On April 6, 2012, Ledisi announced her second headlining tour, B.G.T.Y., with Eric Benet serving as an opening act. In December 2012, VH1 announced that Ledisi would perform at their 2012 VH1 Divas show, a concert benefiting the Save The Music Foundation charity. Ledisi performed a Whitney Houston tribute medley with Jordin Sparks and Melanie Fiona.[17]

2014–2016: The Truth

In March 2014, Ledisi released her new album The Truth. She is also on tour with Robert Glasper in partnership with the magazine "Essence" (which featured her on one of their three April covers as well as Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles).

In April 2014, Ledisi was cast to play Mahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film, Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and DuVernay.[18] It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights in Alabama, led by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr. and Hosea Williams. In the film and on the official film soundtrack, Ledisi sings "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Initially slated to perform at the 57th Grammy Awards as part of a tribute to the Selma March alongside Common and John Legend (who performed their Oscar-winning duet "Glory") she was ultimately snubbed[19] by the Recording Academy and recording artist Beyoncé, who performed in her place. Ledisi's snubbing and Beyoncé's performance received mixed reaction from social media.[20] In 2015, she received her ninth Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance for the single "Like This" off of her seventh album The Truth. She lost to Beyoncé and Jay Z for "Drunk in Love".[21]

2017–present: Let Love Rule and The Wild Card

In May 2017, Ledisi released a single titled "High" produced by Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper and Rex Rideout. Her eighth studio album called Let Love Rule was released on September 22, 2017.[22] In November 2017, she received three more nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in January 2018 including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Ledisi won a Soul Train Award 'Soul Certified Award' for the album.

Ledisi helped the BET Awards pay tribute to Anita Baker, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the night on June 24, with a rendition of the singer's 1986 ode "Sweet Love".

Ledisi was then a part of the Aretha Franklin Tribute that was put together by the annual award ceremony known as Black Girls Rock. Ledisi delivered a rendition of the hit "Ain't No Way".

In October 2018, Ledisi performed with Adam Lambert in an NBC broadcast, A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway, before a live studio audience at the Marquis Theatre in New York, singing "As Long as You're Mine" from Wicked.[23]

In June 2020, Ledisi announced the title of her ninth studio album, The Wild Card. The album was released on August 28, 2020, exactly 13 years after her major label debut, Lost & Found.

Discography
Main article: Ledisi discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ledisi has been nominated for thirteen career Grammy Awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2008 Ledisi Best New Artist Nominated
Lost & Found Best R&B Album Nominated
2010 Turn Me Loose Nominated
"Goin' Thru Changes" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Nominated
2012 "Pieces of Me" Best R&B Performance Nominated
Best R&B Song Nominated
Pieces of Me Best R&B Album Nominated
2013 "Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)" (with Robert Glasper) Best R&B Performance Nominated
2015 "Like This" Nominated
2018 "High" Nominated
"All the Way" Best Traditional R&B Performance Nominated
Let Love Rule Best R&B Album Nominated
2021 "Anything For You" Best Traditional R&B Performance Pending
  • BET Awards
    • 2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)
  • BETJ Virtual Awards
    • 2008, Female Artist of the Year (Nominated)
  • California Music Awards
    • 2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)
  • Soul Train Music Awards
    • 2011, Centric Award (nominated)
    • 2009, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (nominated)
    • 2014, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)
    • 2017 Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)
      • 2017 Soul Certified Award (won)
      • 2018 Soul Certified Award (won)

NAACP AWARDS

    • 2012 Best Female Artist (Nominated)
    • 2015 Best Female Artist (Nominated)
    • 2018 Best Female Artist (Nominated)
    • 2018 Best Traditional song - High (Nominated)
    • 2018 Best Visual - High (Nominated)

Honors/Special Awards

    • 2016, NAACP Awards Theatre - Spirit Award Honoree
    • 2016, America For The Arts - Music Honoree

Tours
  • Pieces of Me Tour (2011)
  • B.G.T.Y. Tour (2012)
  • The Truth Tour (2014)
  • The Intimate Truth Tour (2015)
  • The Rebel The Soul The Saint Tour (2017)[24]
  • Let Love Rule Tour (2018)
  • Ledisi Live UK Tour (2019)

Filmography
  • 2008: Leatherheads (as the Blues Singer)
  • 2011: Leave It on the Floor (as Princess' Mother)
  • 2014: Selma (as Mahalia Jackson)
  • 2016: The Tale Of Four (Short Film) (as Aunt Sara)
  • 2020: American Soul (as Patti LaBelle) (season 2, upcoming)

References
  1. "The Evolution Of Ledisi". bet.com. Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  2. Ledisi at Allmusic.com
  3. "Ledisi to Play Mahalia Jackson in MLK Biopic, 'Selma'". Essence.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. "The Truth According to Ledisi". Grammy Awards. April 11, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  6. "Singer-songwriter Ledisi". PBS. March 26, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  7. Gardner, Elysa (January 22, 2008). "On the verge: Jazzy vocalist Ledisi just might be best new artist". USA Today. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  8. "Yahoo!". Bvnewswire.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  9. "Ledisi – Soul Survivor". Archived from the original on December 25, 2008.
  10. "Ledisi | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  11. "Ledisi Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  12. Searchable database Ledisi – Joy, Billboard.com
  13. "Ledisi to return in August - hear a sample!". Soultracks.com. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  14. "Ledisi: Soulful Siren". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. Gentles, Gary (April 6, 2012). "Ledisi Announces "BGTY" Headline Tour, Plus New Book". Singersroom.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. Hobdy, Dominique (April 25, 2014). "Ledisi to Play Mahalia Jackson in MLK Biopic, 'Selma'". Essence. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  19. Fitzgerald, Trent. "Ledisi Snubbed by 2015 Grammys Due to Beyonce Performance, Fans Say". The Boombox. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  20. "Fans In Uproar that Beyonce Is Singing Ledisi's 'Selma' Song at GRAMMYs". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "Ledisi Reveals New Album Title and Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  23. Lenker, Maureen Lee (October 29, 2018). "The 5 best moments in A Very Wicked Halloween". Entertainment Weekly.
  24. Black and Beautiful Magazine (September 5, 2017). "THE REBEL, THE SOUL & THE SAINT TOUR". Church And Fashion. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
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