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Ledisi
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Ledisi Anibade Young, Ledisi for short, is an American singer, songwriter, producer, author and actress, born in New Orleans in 1972. Her name means in Yoruba that something is brought forth. Her mother sang in a local band, and her biological grandfather was the bluesman Johnny Ace of Pledging My Love. At the age of eight she performed with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. When she was thirteen the family moved to Oakland, California.
Music and breakthrough
In 1995 she formed a band and, with Sundra Manning, started the label LeSun Music when a major label did not sign her. Her first album, Soulsinger, contained the single Take Time, which received a great deal of airplay on radio in the San Francisco region. Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue from 2002 won a jazz award at the California Music Awards. In 2006 she signed with Verve Forecast, and Lost & Found earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for best new artist. It's Christmas, Turn Me Loose, Pieces of Me, The Truth and Let Love Rule followed. On her own label she released The Wild Card, with Anything for You, which won a Grammy, and later Ledisi Sings Nina.
Influence
Ledisi sings soul, jazz, gospel and R&B with a powerful voice and a great deal of freedom in her phrasing. She played Mahalia Jackson in the film Selma and later Gladys Knight in Spinning Gold. In this way she became a well-known voice in contemporary soul.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 2001Soulsinger: The Revival
- 2002Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue
- 2007Lost & Found
- 2008It's Christmas
- 2009Turn Me Loose
- 2011Pieces of Me
- 2014The Truth
- 2017Let Love Rule
- 2020The Wild Card
- 2021Ledisi Sings Nina
- 2024Good Life
- 2025For Dinah
- 2025The Crown