Leela James | |
|---|---|
.jpg) James live atStockholm Jazz Festival. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alechia Janeice Campbell |
| Also known as | Alechia James |
| Born | (1983-06-02)June 2, 1983 (age 41) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | www.leelajames.com |
Alechia Janeice Campbell[1][2][3] (born June 2, 1983)[citation needed] known professionally asLeela James, is an AmericanR&B andsoul singer-songwriter fromLos Angeles,California.
James made her debut on thesoundtrack to the 2000Jamie Foxx filmBait onthe Roots song "Work", credited as Alechia James.
In 2004, James toured as an opening act forthe Black Eyed Peas andMacy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emceePete Rock's albumSoul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track "No Tears". In 2005, she lent her voice to the posthumously releasedRay Charles albumGenius & Friends, duetting with the singer on the song "Compared to What".
James' debut album,A Change Is Gonna Come, was released on June 21, 2005. James co-wrote most of the tracks on this album, two exceptions being hercovers of thepop rock bandNo Doubt's 1996 hit "Don't Speak", and theSam Cooke song "A Change Is Gonna Come". Notable collaborators on the album includeRaphael Saadiq,Kanye West andWyclef Jean.
James guested onRobert Randolph and the Family Band's 2006 albumColorblind, lending her vocals to "Stronger".
After parting ways withWarner Bros., James signed with the independent labelShanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitledLet's Do It Again, in homage tothe Staple Singers.
In June 2009, James appeared on theMoby albumWait for Me, performing the vocal on "Walk with Me".
James' third albumMy Soul, her first with theStax label, was released on May 24, 2010, and debuted on the US Hip Hop/R&B chart at No. 7. Speaking in May 2010 to UK soul writer Pete Lewis ofBlues & Soul, she stated: "With this album I wanted to make sure that I showed all sides of me – in terms of variety in the music and in my vocal range – while at the same time making it clear that every song deeply came from my soul. Plus I also wanted to incorporate a little more hip hop this time, and infuse it with my traditional R&B – because I felt that. By making my beats edgier and harder-hitting, I'd show there was more to me than just doing ballads and things of that sort."[4]
On July 31, 2012, James released her fourth studio album ,Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James. Originally the album was going to have one song honoring Etta James, but with her death it became a full tribute album. It was released by Shanachie Records.[5]
On July 8, 2014, James released her fifth studio album,Fall For You. The album's first two singles, "Say That" feat. Anthony Hamilton and "Fall For You" both reached Top 15 on the Billboard Urban AC charts, with "Fall For You" reaching No. 12. James supported her album with tours nationwide, including performances at Essence Music Festival, Arizona Jazz Fest, San Diego Jazz Fest, Capitol Jazz Fest, and more.
James' sixth album,Did It for Love was released on March 31, 2017, by Shesangz Music under license toBMG.[6] The album has the singles "Don't Want You Back" released on October 28, 2016,[7] "Hard for Me" released on February 25, 2017,[8] "Don't Mean a Thang" released on March 27, 2017,[9] and a video single "All Over Again" on May 4, 2017.[10] The single "Don't Want You Back" reached number 1 onBillboard' Adult R&B Songs chart on April 15, 2017, becoming her highest-charting single ever.[11][12]
In February 2021, James debuted the song "Complicated", the first single off her seventh studio albumSee Me. It peaked at No. 3 onBillboard' Adult R&B Songs chart on August 21, 2021.
In 2014 and 2015, she starred in seasons 2 and 3 of theTV Onereality showR&B Divas: Los Angeles.[13]
James cites singersJames Brown,Roberta Flack,Toni Braxton,Marvin Gaye,Donny Hathaway,Gladys Knight,Mavis Staples,Etta James as influences.[14]
James is an honorary member ofZeta Phi Beta sorority; she was inducted on July 27, 2024 at the sorority's Boulé inIndianapolis, Indiana.[15]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | NAACP Image Award[16] | Outstanding New Artist | Leela James | Nominated |
| 2008 | Soul Train Music Award[17] | Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist | "Music" | Nominated |
| 2009 | SoulTracks Readers Choice Award[18] | Female Artist of the Year | Leela James | Won |
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