Ledisi | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ledisi in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Ledisi Anibade Young (1972-03-28)March 28, 1972 (age 53) New Orleans,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Origin | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | https://www.ledisi.com/ |
Ledisi Anibade Young (/ˈlɛdɪsiː/; born March 28, 1972),[1][2] better known simply asLedisi, is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" inYoruba.[3]
In 1995, Ledisi formed a band after her middle name Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Music with musician Sundra Manning. She released her debut albumSoulsinger (2000), which featured the single "Take Time", which gained substantial airplay from San Francisco area radio stations. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album,Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which won "Outstanding Jazz Album" at theCalifornia Music Awards in 2003.[4] In 2006, Ledisi signed a record deal withVerve Forecast and released her third album, titledLost & Found (2007). The album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one forBest New Artist.[5] She released six more albums on Verve:It's Christmas (2008),Turn Me Loose (2009),Pieces of Me (2011),The Truth (2014),The Intimate Truth (2015), andLet Love Rule (2017).[6]
In 2020, Ledisi formed her own record label Listen Back Entertainment and released her albumThe Wild Card. The album's single "Anything for You" won aGrammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[5] She released four more albums on her label includingLedisi Live at The Troubadour (2021),Ledisi Sings Nina (2021),Good Life (2024), andThe Crown (2025).
Aside from music, Ledisi has embarked a career infilm andtelevision as an actress. She portrayedgospel iconMahalia Jackson in the filmsSelma (2014) andRemember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022). Other roles include a guest appearance asPatti LaBelle in theBET docudramaAmerican Soul, acameo appearance as achoir member in theFX dramaPose (both 2020), as well as co-starring asGladys Knight in the filmSpinning Gold (2023). She also starred in her firstHallmark original movie,All Saints Christmas (2022).
Ledisi Anibade Young was born on March 28, 1972, inNew Orleans, Louisiana, to Nyra Dynese Young, a singer-songwriter in local band Coronava, and Larry Saunders, a 1970s singer and musician.[2] Saunders departed from the family when Ledisi was a baby. Her mother remarried to a drummer named Joseph Pierce III, who adopted Ledisi after the marriage. She has an older sister Shannon, and a younger sister.[7] Ledisi's biological paternal grandfather,Johnny Ace,[2] was an Americanblues singer who was known for his single "Pledging My Love".
Ledisi was raisedCatholic and attended local churches in New Orleans.[8] Her mother was raisedBaptist. At the age of eight, she performed publicly with theNew Orleans Symphony Orchestra.[2][3] At age thirteen, her family relocated toOakland, California where she went to Edna Brewer Middle School, formerly McChesney Junior High School.[2][3] She later enrolled inSkyline High School where she graduated in 1990.
In 1990, she starred as the lead character Dorothy in an Antioch Community Theater production ofThe Wiz inAntioch, California.[3][9] Her performance earned a Shellie Award nomination in the same year.[3] She also joined acabaret production ofBeach Blanket Babylon inSan Francisco.[3] She earned a scholarship and attended theUniversity of California, Berkeley, where she studiedpiano andopera.[10] Ledisi was briefly part of anacid jazz group called Slide Five.[11] Ledisi formed her own funk band called Anibade.[3] The band performed around theSan Francisco Bay Area, building notoriety in the area.[3] After the group failed to secure a record deal, Ledisi and keyboardist Sundra Manning formed their own label LeSun Music.[3]
In 2000, Ledisi released her first albumSoulsinger, which featured the band Anibade, on LeSun Music. The album featured the single "Take Time" and received positive reviews.[12] In 2002, she released her second albumFeeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album featured jazz standards "'Round Midnight", "In a Sentimental Mood", and "Autumn Leaves (Les feuilles mortes)". The album won "Outstanding Jazz Album" at theCalifornia Music Awards in 2003.[4]
In August 2003, Ledisi and Anibade performed at theSan Jose Jazz Festival.[13] She also released a 4-track extended play titledLedisi & Anibade – "Live" The Bootleg Recordings Vol. 1.[14] In the same year, she reissued her first album under the titleSoulsinger: The Revival, distributed byTommy Boy Records.[3] In May 2004, Ledisi portrayed two characters, The Washing Machine and The Radio, in theBroadway production ofCaroline, or Change.[15]
In 2006, Ledisi secured a major record deal withVerve Forecast, a subsidiary ofVerve Records. Ledisi had been recording her third albumLost & Found prior to her record deal.[16] The album was released on August 28, 2007.[17]Lost & Found peaked at number 10 onBillboard'sR&B Albums chart and sold over 237,000 copies in the United States.[18][19] The album's lead single "Alright" peaked at number 11 on theAdult R&B Songs chart.[18]
During her tour in February 2008, she performed at theHighline Ballroom in New York City.[20] She received positive feedback from critics for her emotional performance, which was described as a "religious experience".[20] In March 2008, "In the Morning" was released as the second single and peaked at number fifteen on the Adult R&B Songs chart.[18] The album earned Ledisi two nominations at the50th Annual Grammy Awards, forBest R&B Album andBest New Artist.[5] She made a cameo appearance in thecomedy filmLeatherheads as ablues singer who performed the pop standard "The Man I Love" in April 2008. In September 2008, she released herChristmas album titledIt's Christmas.[21][22]
Her fifth albumTurn Me Loose was released in August 2009, peaking atop of theBillboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[18] To promote the album, she joined with multi-cultural beauty brandCarol's Daughter, with whom she ran an advertising promotion that included a brand sampler.[23] The album's first single "Goin' Thru Changes" peaked at number forty-three on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number fifteen on the Adult R&B Songs chart.[18] The follow-up single "Higher Than This" peaked at number twenty-two on the Adult R&B Songs chart.[18] The album earned two nominations at the52nd Annual Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Album and "Goin' Thru Changes" earning a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[5]
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In June 2011, Ledisi released her sixth albumPieces of Me. The album debuted at number eight on theBillboard 200 and peaked at number two on theBillboard's R&B Albums.[18] The album's lead single "Pieces of Me" became one of her most successful songs on the Billboard chart, peaking at number two on the Adult R&B Songs and number nineteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[18] "Pieces of Me" also earned agold certification by theRIAA.[24] She headlined her first major tour called thePieces of Me Tour, which went on to play to over twenty-two sold-out shows.[25] The success of the album earned three nominations at the54th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song (for the song "Pieces of Me"), and Best R&B Performance (for the song "Pieces of Me").[5] In April 2012, she headlined her second tour called theB.G.T.Y. Tour. In June 2012, Ledisi released her first book titledBetter Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power, on Time Home Entertainment, Inc.[26][27][28]
Her seventh albumThe Truth was released in March 2014. The album spawned the top-tenBillboard Adult R&B Songs "I Blame You" and "Like This".[18] The song "Like This" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance in 2015.[5] In April 2014, Ledisi portrayed American singerMahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film,Selma.[29] It is based on the 1965Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights in Alabama, led byJames Bevel,Martin Luther King Jr., andHosea Williams. In the film and on thefilm's soundtrack, Ledisi performed "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". In January 2015, Ledisi released a studio live extended play titledThe Intimate Truth. A month later, she embarked onThe Intimate Truth Tour.
In May 2017, Ledisi released a single titled "High". She released her eighth studio album titledLet Love Rule on September 22, 2017.[30]Let Love Rule received three nominations at the60th Grammy Awards in January 2018 includingBest R&B Album,Best R&B Performance andBest Traditional R&B Performance.[5] She won aSoul Train Certified Award at the2018 Soul Train Music Awards. In June 2018, she performed "Sweet Love" in tribute toAnita Baker. In the same year, she performed "Ain't No Way" in tribute toAretha Franklin atBlack Girls Rock!. She released an autobiography titledThe Walk: Accepting Your Life As It Is Now in August 2018.[31][32] In October 2018, Ledisi performed "As Long as You're Mine" withAdam Lambert in an NBC broadcast,A VeryWicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway.[33] In 2019, she portrayed the Ancestor in theOff-Broadway theatre production ofWitness Uganda.[34] In the same year, she co-wrote and co-produced herresidency show titledLedisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue, which sold out in nineteen shows.[35]
In January 2020, Ledisi released her third book,Don't Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey.[36] In June 2020, Ledisi announced the title of her ninth studio album,The Wild Card. The album was released on August 28, 2020, exactly thirteen years after her major label debut,Lost & Found.The Wild Card was the first album to be released on Ledisi's independent label Listen Back Entertainment, distributed byBMG. The album's lead single "Anything for You" became Ledisi's first number-one song on Billboard's Adult R&B Songs chart, remaining in the top position for two weeks.[18] The song also won aGrammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2021, marking her first Grammy Award win.[5] On April 30, 2021, Ledisi released a live album,Ledisi Live at The Troubadour.
Having previously appeared live at the BBC Prom 45Mississippi Goddam (A Homage to Nina Simone) on August 21, 2019,[37] she releasedLedisi Sings Nina July 23, 2021, a tribute album to American singerNina Simone which received favorable reviews from music critics.[38][39]Ledisi Sings Nina debuted at number two onBillboard's Classical Crossover Albums chart, spending a total of fifteen weeks on the chart.[40] On March 1, 2023, Ledisi performed "River" withHerbie Hancock in honor ofJoni Mitchell at theLibrary of CongressGershwin Prize concert.[41] In March 2024, she released her eleventh studio albumGood Life. The album's first single "I Need to Know" became her second number-one on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.[18]
On January 31, 2025, Ledisi released "Love You Too"; the lead single from her forthcoming album.[42] The song peaked at number 14 on the US Adult R&B chart.[18] On February 9, 2025, Ledisi performed the "Lift Every Voice and Sing" atSuper Bowl LIX, at theCaesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.[43][44] TheLove You Too Tour was announced on February 10, 2025, with dates scheduled from May 28 through June 29.[44] On April 25, 2025, Ledisi released her twelfth studio albumThe Crown.[45] In July 2025, Ledisi announced her thirteenth studio albumFor Dinah, a tribute album to American singerDinah Washington.[46] In the same month, she embarked on herEuropean Tour. On July 18, 2025, she released the album's first single "This Bitter Earth".[47] In August 2025, Ledisi announced the upcoming of her concert tours:Ledisi for Dinah Tour, and The Crown Tour.[48] On October 3, 2025, Ledisi released her thirteenth studio albumFor Dinah.[49][50]
Ledisi's voice is classified as a four-octave mezzo-soprano.[2] She has been described as a "vocal powerhouse" and "one of the most distinctive voices of 21st century rhythm and blues".[51] Music criticSalamishah Tillet ofThe New York Times praised her voice for its "diversity and breathtaking range".[2] Fellow musicianJohn Legend commented "As a contemporary vocalist, there’s almost no one I can think of in the world that sings as skillfully as she does. In terms of her range, dexterity, clarity, versatility, she can do anything she wants. She’s one of the great singers in the world, period".[2] She is also known forscatting.[2]
Her music includes various styles of musical genres such as contemporary R&B,[52]jazz,[53]funk,[54]pop,[2] andsoul.[55] Her debut albumSoulsinger (2000) followed a contemporary R&B sound, while her second albumFeeling Orange but Sometimes Blue featured a jazz sound. In an interview withDownBeat, Ledisi expressed wanting to be viewed as more than a R&B singer after the release of her albumLedisi Sings Nina (2021). "I’m not your boxed R&B singer. I’m more than that. I studied classical. It just so happens that I’m loved for R&B, but my home base goes over into all these other worlds".[56]
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Ledisi namesNina Simone as her major musical influence.[2] Ledisi recalled going through a depression and divorce during her late twenties. She even contemplatedsuicide until hearing Simone's cover of "Trouble in Mind" on the radio, leading Ledisi to repudiate her thoughts of suicide and revived her career.[2][57] In July 2021, she released atribute album titledLedisi Sings Nina, which features popular songs written or covered by Simone. She also creditsDinah Washington as a major inspiration, stating that Washington gave her permission to move freely, create freely, be a woman in leadership. Ledisi also recorded a tribute album titledFor Dinah (2025).[46] Ledisi was also heavily influenced byCurtis Mayfield.[58] On February 7, 2020, Ledisi paid homage to Mayfield doing a tribute concert alongsideBilal and theWDR Big Band.[58]
Her musical influences also includeChaka Khan,[59]Patti LaBelle,[59]Deniece Williams,[59]Leontyne Price,[60]Aretha Franklin,[60]Patsy Cline,[60]Sarah Vaughn,[60]Ella Fitzgerald,[60] andStevie Wonder.[61] Ledisi creditedDiana Ross's performance asDorothy Gale inThe Wiz for giving her the "acting bug".[62] In an interview withPeople magazine, Ledisi citedPrince as a musical influence and that he encouraged her to leave her record label.[63]
In the early 2000s, Ledisi was married to a man whose name was not publicly disclosed. They divorced in 2003.[2] In 2018, she married director and actor Ronald T. Young.[64] The couple appeared on the docu-seriesBlack Love.[65]
On November 6, 2011, Ledisi performed at theObama 2012 Fundraiser. In March 2012, she was invited to theWhite House byFirst LadyMichelle Obama for the Women's History Month Mentoring Series.[66] On September 4, 2012, Ledisi performed at theDemocratic National Convention. She performed the gospel song "I Feel Like Goin' On" for the church service atSt. John's Episcopal Church inWashington, D.C. on January 21, 2013, atPresidentBarack Obama's2013 presidential pre-inauguration.[67] Her song "Raise Up" from her albumPieces of Me was included on President Obama's Campaign Playlist.[68] On January 19, 2017, Ledisi posted a picture of Obama, thanking him for his presidential term.[69] In June 2023, Ledisi was invited to perform during theJuneteenth Concert at theSouth Lawn.[70]
I was fortunate enough to get a full five-year scholarship to the young musicians’ program at UC Berkeley. The love and support of my mother and the generosity of donors for youth musical programs led me to where I am today. But not all children will have these opportunities. That is why the Recording Academy, along with the California PTA, the Actors Fund and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, are joining hundreds of school superintendents, arts advocates, business leaders, teachers, parents and students in calling on the Legislature to pass andGov. Jerry Brown to sign the Arts for Every Student Act.
In September 2017, Ledisi headlined theBlack AIDS Institute's Heroes Gala.[72][73] In November 2017, Ledisi became an ambassador for the Black AIDS Institute.[74] She stated, "I want to work with everybody that's involved that are dealing with AIDS and HIV and AIDS/HIV prevention, anything just to spread the word about that and stop all the stigmas. I'm hoping through my voice and my platform to educate people." She also met with theBlack Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) and theDetroit Health Department to express concern about the disparate number ofAfrican American women withHIV compared to other demographics.[75]
In August 2018, Ledisi spoke out about the importance ofmusic education. She stood in support of the Arts for Every Student Act.[71] The legislation bill establishes an incentive grant program for school districts to expand access to visual and performing arts instruction, including music, dance, theatre, media arts and visual arts.[76] She also emphasized herself as an example of the value of arts education, and called on both the public and lawmakers to support the bill.[77] The legislation was signed bySenator Ben Allen.
In 2021, she was elected president of theLos Angeles Chapter.[78] In 2022, Ledisi became a professor and firstartist-in-residence atBerklee College of Music, starting at the academic year of 2022–2023.[79][80][81] Under Berklee's Jazz and Gender Justice Program, she educated academic students and created workshops.[82]
Ledisi has earned an array of awards, honors, and nominations. These include oneGrammy Award[5] and twoSoul Train Music Awards.[83][84] She has been the honorary musical receiptant ofAmericans for the Arts,[85] EmpowHer,[86] and Los Angeles Jazz Society.[87] In December 2018, she was honored by theBlack AIDS Institute for her work and advocacy.[88] In August 2021, she became an honorary member ofDelta Sigma Theta sorority.[35] In May 2024, she received anhonorary doctorate degree from theBerklee College of Music.[89] In June 2025,Billboard ranked her at number 64 on The 75 Best R&B Artists of All Time.[90]
In 1999, Ledisi co-founded theindependent record label LeSun Music with musician Sundra Manning.[3] The name is derived from the first names of Ledisi and Sundra. The record label distributed a total of three albums:Soulsinger (2000),Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue,Ledisi and Anibade Live Recordings Vol. 1 (2003), and reissue edition titledSoulsinger: The Revival (2003). The label became defunct in 2006. In January 2019, Ledisi founded another independent record label called Listen Back Entertainment.[3] The label's distributor isBMG Rights Management. The company has distributed Ledisi's albums includingThe Wild Card (2020),Ledisi Live at the Troubadour (2021),Ledisi Sings Nina (2021),Good Life (2024),The Crown (2025), andFor Dinah (2025).[91]
In 2014, Ledisi founded a production company called Ledhead Productions.[92] In September 2016, Ledisi started another production company called Fig Street Films. In 2019, the company producedLedisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue, a stage production about the lives of Ledisi andNina Simone.[93] On November 28, 2020, Fig Street Films produced a live concert special titledLedisi Live: A Tribute to Nina Simone,[94] which aired on American television networkPBS.[95] In 2020, Ledisi co-founded Chinweya Publishing Company. The company published Ledisi's third bookDon't Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey, which was released in January 2020.[36]
Studio albums
Headlining tours
Co-headlining tours
| Residencies Opening act
|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Leatherheads | Blues Singer | |
| 2011 | Leave It on the Floor | Princess' Mother | |
| 2014 | Selma | Mahalia Jackson | |
| 2016 | The Tale of Four | Aunt Sara | Short |
| 2021 | Twice Bitten | Jessica | |
| B-Boy Blues | Ann Walker | ||
| 2022 | Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story | Mahalia Jackson | |
| 2023 | Spinning Gold | Gladys Knight | |
| 2025 | Juliet & Romeo | Vesante | [98] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | American Soul | Patti LaBelle | Episode: "1975" |
| 2021 | Pose | Angela | Episode: "Take Me to Church" |
| 2022 | All Saints Christmas | Lissette | Television film (Hallmark) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Wiz | Dorothy | Lead role; Antioch Community Theater production | |
| 1990–2001 | Beach Blanket Babylon | Performer | Supporting role; National Tour | |
| 2004 | Caroline, or Change | The Washing Machine, The Radio | Supporting role;Broadway | |
| 2008 | Once on This Island | Asaka | Supporting role;Reprise Theatre Company | |
| 2019 | Witness Uganda | Rain Lady, Ancestor | Supporting role;Off-Broadway | |
| 2021 | The Life | Sonja | Supporting role;Broadway |
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Live albums | |
| Soundtrack albums | |
| Singles | |
| Concert tours | |
| Concert residencies | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
