Since Ledisi signed with Verve Records in 2007 and released the
critically acclaimed Lost & Found, the Bay Area-raised singer has
been on fire.
With a wonderful voice that embraces pop, jazz and soul, this
41-year-old who once studied classical music in college has graduated into a
full-fledged star. With eight Grammy nominations to her credit, Ledisi has also
toured the world, played at the White House and, earlier this year, recorded a
duet with Prince.
Recently
unveiling her newest single, “I Blame You”—an energetic track that will have
you wiggling in your seat—Ledisi has whetted our aural appetite for her
soon-to-come album, The Truth. Scheduled to drop in February, the album
has less ballads than her previous releases, as Ledisi lets down her hair and
brings the fun side of her personality into public view.
“The Truth is a
celebration of me letting go of baggage and just being free,” Ledisi explains.
“It was hard to start, but it was easy to finish.”
EM.com
caught up with Ledisi in Manhattan, at a recent listening party for The
Truth.
EM: You
recently performed your new single “I Blame You” on BET’s annual Black Girls
Rock!, which blew many people away. It was so electrifying.
Ledisi: The first
time I appeared on Black Girls Rock! was a few years ago when I sang the
Peaches part in Nina Simone’s classic “Four Women.” It was me, Jill Scott,
Kelly Price and Martha Ambrosure. That was a hard one to top, but since then I
always try to make a lasting impression by taking my two seconds and turning it
into something. Because I never know when I’m going to get that moment again.
EM: You were
dancing so hard in those heels, I kept thinking, I hope she doesn’t fall. That
wouldn’t have been a good look on a national television special.
Ledisi: (laughs)
That’s another part of me that has always been there, but I didn’t know how to
express it before. I love me some heels, but I wasn’t always that person. I
used to be really shy, kind of the way I am in the beginning of the “I Blame
You” video. I loved being geeky, but I also love putting on a pair of stilettos
and a tight pair of jeans. I love being girly, but I do it for me, not for
anybody else.
EM: I’ve
fallen in love with “I Blame You.
Ledisi: Claude
Kelly, who co-produced and co-wrote “I Blame You,” came up with the title and
then we started writing it. At the end of the song, I added a scat, because I
wanted to go back to who I am. I love jazz, so I wanted to add that element and
keep it fresh. A lot of kids never heard scatting before and they’re like,
“What is that thing? It’s hot. It’s like beatboxing.”
EM: In
interviews as well as on stage, you have a very positive vibe that comes
across.
Ledisi: It’s funny.
I did a show in Chicago recently and I told the women in the audience that we
have to empower each other; we have to lift each other. Even if you don’t like
that lady’s outfit, tell her she looks good. Keep her up high, because there
are enough things in the world to bring us down.
EM: If I’m
not mistaken, music is something you’ve loved since you were a little girl.
Ledisi: I was
raised on it. There were drums in the house, an upright piano and a bass
guitar. I played drums first and then piano. Those were my two loves. And my
mom was a singer; I wanted to be like her. Whenever my mom felt bad, she played
R&B and danced in the mirror. She played all kinds of music including
Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and the Beatles.
EM: Earlier
this year, Prince released a duet you guys did together called “Ain’t Gonna
Miss You.” Are you two friends?
Ledisi: Yes, we’re
friends. He’ll call and say come hang out, and next thing I’m singing
backgrounds or doing a duet. I won’t talk about the process, but we had a lot
of fun. Prince is amazing in the studio. I just love Paisley Park, it feels
good there.
EM: You were
born in New Orleans, but raised in the Bay Area. How old were you when you left
the South?
Ledisi: I was 10
years old when we moved to Oakland, but once you’re from New Orleans it never
goes away. Oakland, I must say, was amazing. I learned about gospel music
hanging with the Hawkins family, and the city was also heavy into funk and
hip-hop. Like New Orleans, there was a nice mixture of different musical styles
there. We had Digital Underground, E-40 and Too Short—they owned that area.
EM: Do you
have any siblings?
Ledisi: I have
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