In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose , which earned her a couple more Grammy nominations.
Ledisi's fifth album, Pieces Of Me, was released on June 14, 2011 debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200, her first entry on the top 10 of the album chart.
She and her band are from a new breed of modern soul singers (that fall into the New Organic Soul movement in the U.K.) that do not bow to the formulated 'pop' format that permeates the national charts of the U.K. and the U.S.A.
Her mother sang in an R & B band and opened her daughter's ears to classical music, then to jazz and gospel.
‘My mother is an inspiration to me because she was an R & B singer when I was growing up, and I'd watch her perform in the park by our house. I grew up on Earth, Wind and Fire. Tina Turner is my favorite’.
As a teenager Ledisi first sang in a friend’s band, but soon realised she'd have to form her own if she was going to get the creative freedom she desired.
She formed the group Anibade.
The band consisted of:
Sundra Manning (keyboards)
Cedrickke Dennis (guitar)
Nelson Braxton (bass)
Wayne Braxton (saxophone)
and Tommy Bradford on (drums)
Anibade means ‘my mother is great’ in Yoruba and also happens to be Ledisi's middle name.
The band the group performed at several nightspots including Bruno's, The Black Cat, and Rasselas, in the San Francisco area before, successfully, getting a local radio station, KMEL, to play the single ‘Take Time’, without any major label distribution.
Ledisi said, ‘We took it to other labels to try and get a deal, but we found that they didn't get it 'cause it wasn't already out there. We got frustrated with that.’
Ledisi is said to be recording a jazz record with bassist Marcus Shelby on Noir Records.
That album was due in early 2000, although the set has not yet surfaced.
Her first solo album ‘Soulsinger’, was, however, released in 2000, to critical acclaim.
The album addressed several personal issues, none more so than the track ‘Papa Loved To Love Me’, a harrowing tale of a father sexually abusing his daughter.
The track is uncomfortably close to home.
Ledisi said ‘My family heard it, though, and they said, 'Wow, you went and told everything!'. I know it's giving something away about myself, but it's a part of me. That's why people relate to a story like that.’
Eric Benét and Rahsaan Patterson recently attended her groups' concerts and they have opened for Eric Benet, D’Angelo and Angie Stone.
A second album entitled 'Feeling Orange And Sometimes Blue' was released in early 2002.
Ledisi travelled to London's Jazz Cafe in March 2003 for more gigs following a successful concert at Subterranea in the autumn of 2002.
She was supported by the Braxton Brothers along with several other performers.
Land of the Free
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I woke up Sunday Morning
Had to face the truth
The truth about me and you
Ah baby ooh
We don't even kiss
Can't live my life like this
Time to face the truth baby
You know that we grew apart
Scared to leave
Just don't want to be lonely
Instead we wasted to much time
Living lies
It's time we face the truth baby
The truth about me and you
Ahh baby ooh
In Ledisi's song Land of the Free, the lyrics depict a sudden realization of the truth in a relationship. The metaphorical language of a "hurricane without warning" emphasizes the sudden shift in emotions and the chaos it brings to the singer's life. The song is an introspective reflection on a relationship that has lost its love and passion. The lyrics describe the singer's struggle to stay in a relationship simply out of fear of being alone, but ultimately realizing the importance of facing the truth.
The second verse of the song highlights the realization that the couple has grown apart and cannot continue living in lies. The singer's hesitation to leave and fear of being lonely is a common feeling in failing relationships. However, the lyrics show that it is necessary to face the truth and accept reality rather than living in a false sense of love. The song's overall theme of accepting the truth and facing the reality of the situation is a relatable message to anyone who has experienced a failing relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a hurricane without warning
An unexpected and forceful realization hit me
I woke up Sunday Morning
I had a moment of clarity
Had to face the truth
I had to confront the reality of my situation
The truth about me and you
The reality of our relationship
Ah baby ooh
Expressing emotional pain and regret
We don't even kiss
Our physical intimacy has declined
Can't live my life like this
I can't continue in this unfulfilling relationship
Time to face the truth baby
It's time for us to acknowledge our problems
I don't love you like I used to ooh
My feelings have changed
You know that we grew apart
We've become distant and disconnected
Scared to leave
Afraid to end the relationship
Just don't want to be lonely
Fear of being alone is influencing our decision
Instead we wasted to much time
We've spent too long ignoring the problems in our relationship
Living lies
We've been pretending everything is okay
It's time we face the truth baby
We need to acknowledge our problems and work on them
The truth about me and you
The reality of our relationship
Ahh baby ooh
Expressing emotional pain and regret
Contributed by Ryan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheRealnigga1ify
there isn't a voice today thats as amazing as ledisis
@PaoloLongo
Kenya and Lalah Hathaway: yeah!
@TheOfficialJoy
Her "Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue" album is ridiculously good. I copped it off Ebay. I am pleased with the sound, so enchanting, soulful and earthy!
@martaluciamarulandaruiz2698
esta mujer es muy talentosa, que privilegio poder escuchar esta maravilla. que bendicion le dió Dios a ella con ese talento,me encanta.
@LadyMamaAlive
DOUBLY FAB!!! THIS YOUNG LADY, LEDISI, IS "SOULFULLY ENCHANTING", and we are certainly blessed to be priviledged to hear her UNIQUELY GIFTED VOCALS!!! OMG, this is a wonderful song and the Band is awesome, a great collaboration!! Thanks for a really good post gilly1961.
@louisruffin6808
Girl you should was born to sang.
Love You Ledisi. God bless you 🙏❤
@Miskalomie
I love you Ledisi!
@DJDJANGO1
Ledisi is also a proper Jazz singer. And this is actually a Jazz piece from her highly sought after Jazz album, Jazz Singer: Feeling Orange but Sometime Blue. She is even better live. From Blues to Funk this girl can tear up a tune!!
@marvinhagler4721
WONDERFUL
@TheOfficialJoy
Yepp!!