Ledisi
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| Ledisi | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ledisi Anibade Young |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genre(s) | R&B, soul, jazz, neo soul, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | CEO, Singer, songwriter, actress, music producer, poetic |
| Instrument(s) | Piano |
| Voice type(s) | Soprano |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Label(s) | Verve Forecast LeSun Records |
| Website | Ledisi.com |
Ledisi Anibade Young (pronounced /ˈlɛdɨsiː/) is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter from New Orleans. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.[1] Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. When trying to get the group signed to a major label, she had no luck which result in her and Sundra Manning starting LeSun Records. Along with her group Anibade, Ledisi released an album entitled Take Time. The album gained major airplay from local radio stations.[citation needed]
In 2000, Ledisi released her first album, entitled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001, performing various shows.[1] In 2002, Ledisi released her sophomore album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won her an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.
In 2007, Ledisi signed a major record deal with Verve Forecast and later released her third in August 2008, entitled Lost & Found, which has sold 216,894 copies.[2] In 2008, Ledisi released her christmas album, It's Christmas.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Ledisi grew up in a musical family; her mother sang in a Louisiana R&B band, and Ledisi first began performing at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. She moved to Oakland, California, where 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.[1] She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.
[edit] Musical career
[edit] 1995-1999: Beginnings
In the 1990s, she formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Tommy Bradford (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul.[1] The group won acclaim in the Bay Area, and recorded a demo, "Take Time" which was played on local stations. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck.
[edit] 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.[1] The album spawn 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 sophomore 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.[citation needed]
[edit] 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 the time of her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay within the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life.[3] "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.[4] 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.[5][6]
In December 2007, she received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.[7] In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found. By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.[2]
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, entitled "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.
[edit] 2009-present: Turn Me Loose
In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced to be titled, Turn Me Loose. The album is currently set for release on August 18, 2009.[8]
[edit] Awards and nominations
- BET Awards
- 2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (nominated)
- BETJ Virtual Awards
- 2008, Female Artist of the Year
- California Music Awards
- 2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (won)
- Grammy Awards
- 2008, Best New Artist (nominated)
- 2008, Best R&B Album, Lost & Found (nominated)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | Peak positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | ||
| 2000 | Soulsinger: The Revival
|
- | - |
| 2002 | Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue
|
- | - |
| 2007 | Lost & Found
|
78 | 10 |
| 2008 | It's Christmas
|
- | 28 |
| 2009 | Turn Me Loose
|
- | - |
[edit] With Anibade
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. R&B | Hot Adult R&B | |||
| 2000 | "Soulsinger" | — | — |
|
| "Take Time" | — | — | ||
| "Get Outta My Kitchen" | — | — | ||
| "Good Lovin'" | — | — | ||
| 2002 | "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" | — | — |
|
| "Autumn Leaves" | — | — | ||
| 2007 | "Alright" | 45 | 13 |
|
| 2008 | "In The Morning" | 49 | 26 | |
| "Think of You" | 74 | — | ||
| "Joy" | 103 | 29 | ||
| "This Christmas (Could Be the One)" | 112 | — |
|
|
| "Children Go Where I Send Thee" | — | — | ||
| "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | 113 | — | ||
| "Give Love on Christmas Day" | 113 | — | ||
[edit] Other appearances
The reference for all tracks listed below can be found here.[11]
| Year | Song | Artist | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "The World Keeps Going Around" | Brian Culbertson | Bringing Back The Funk | GRP |
| 2008 | "Alright" | Ledisi | Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns | Atlantic |
| 2008 | "Waters of March" | Sergio Mendez featuring Ledisi | Encanto | Concord Records |
| 2007 | "Blues in the Night" | Ledisi | We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song | Verve Music Group |
| 2007 | "Devotion" | Ledisi | Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire | Concord Music Group |
| 2007 | "To Love Again" | Gordon Chambers featuring Ledisi | Love Stories | Chamber Music |
| 2006 | "I Can't Let You Go" | Steve Hartsman Harvey featuring Ledisi | Everyday People Project | Expansion UK |
| 2005 | "The Rain" | Ledisi & various artists | Def Jazz | GRP Records |
| 2005 | "My Sensitivity" (f/Boney James) | Ledisi & various artists | Forever, For Always, For Luther | GRP / Verve |
| 2005 | "White Boys" | Ledisi/Brandi Chavonne Massey/Shayna Steele | Hair — Actor's Fund of America Benefit Recording | Ghostlight |
| 2005 | "World of Vibrations" | Ledisi | The Craft - Blackalicious | Anti Records |
| 2004 | "Thinkin' 'Bout Me" | Boney James featuring Ledisi | Pure | Warner Bros. Records |
| 2004 | "Scat World" | Maysa featuring Ledisi | Smooth Sailing | Encoded Music |
| 2004 | "So Right" | Ledisi | Soul Satisfaction: A collection of Nu-Soul Gems | Shanachie Records |
| 2004 | "The Look of Love" | Robby Young featuring Ledisi | The Look of Love | Artist One-Stop |
| 2004 | "Don't Stop" | Maroons by Lateef and the Chief featuring Ledisi | Maroons: Ambush | Quantum Projects |
| 2003 | "Different Times" | Raphael Saadiq featuring Ledisi | Live: All Hits at the House of Blues | Pookie Entertainment |
| 2003 | I Want'cha Babe" | Ledisi | New Sirens of Song-Sultry Singer | Sugo Music |
| 2003 | Whatcha Gonna Do" | Frank McComb | The Truth | Expansion UK |
| 2002 | "Better Than Nothing" | Braxton Brothers featuring Ledisi | Both Sides | Peak Records |
| 2001 | "Going Back to New Orleans" | Pancho Sanchez featuring Ledisi | Latin Spirits | Concord Records |
| 2001 | "I've Got It, & Good Lovin" | Ledisi | Organic Soul | Soul Brother Records |
| 2000 | "Negros" | Omar Sosa featuring Ledisi | Bembon | Ota Records |
| 2000 | "NST" | David Alvarado featuring Ledisi | Soundscapes: Live from London | Phatt Funk Records |
| 1999 | "NST" | Third Eye Blind | Blue | Elektra |
| 1999 | Breaking it Down (Jay's Naked Music) | Miguel Migs | Nude Dimensions:Naked Music Vol.1-The Petal Pusher Session | Astralwerks |
| 1995 | "NST" | Xiame featuring Ledisi | Canto D'Alma | Valley Media |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Ledisi at Allmusic.com
- ^ a b [pulsemusic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gmn&action=display&thread=80953&page=2. Billboard 200: 1/24/09: Taylor Swift #1 72k]. Pulse Music Proboards. Retrieved: June 18, 2009
- ^ Ledisi - Soul Survivor
- ^ Ledisi discography singles (allmusic)
- ^ Artist Chart History - Ledisi
- ^ Searchable database Ledisi - Joy
- ^ [1]Grammy.com
- ^ Ledisi to return in August - hear a sample!. Soultracks. Retrieved: June 19, 2009.
- ^ Ledisi (Billboard)
- ^ Ledisi and Anibade - Live Recordings Vol. 1
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ledisi
